Something finally clicked for me, and it's on this whole Passion vs. Motivation thing.
Letting your passions motivate your business, even if your particular business isn't your passion.
@MJ DeMarco wrote about it in TMF , but I never understood until I experienced it. It's a very powerful feeling, and (for me) works a LOT more effectively than fear/loss based motivation.
My Work
Right now, I'm doing video stuff. I've got a few clients paying me monthly to rank their videos on google. I'm selling infoproducts on how to do video, video that converts, software tutorials, etc. I have the occasional customer who wants a unique video made.
I do this because I'm GOOD at it and I'm building skills. The work itself however is a "take it or leave it" deal. I don't wake up excited everyday to do the work, and I've gotten to the point where I dread it.
My Passion
I have recently let a new passion infiltrate my life. A project that's been floating around the back of my head for years. Last week I took my first steps towards it and it has completely gripped my imagination. I won't go into details, but it's a weekly web-TV show I want to create (and then hopefully license/syndicate to tv/hulu/netflix)
The project makes me excited. I lay awake at night thinking about it. I spend my free-time listening to podcasts and radio shows and audiobooks on the topic. I'm SO excited to get my work done for the day because it means I have time to work on this hobby.
Letting My Passion Drive My Business
This project requires a few resources I don't currently have.
They're not unobtainable, but they do cost money I don't have.
I need a faster machine. I need a better microphone. I need to hire some design work out, I need to do some writing.
I'm eventually going to hold a kickstarter, but I want to have a working pilot made before I even bring it to get funding. I want to prove the concept before I ask for assistance.
This need for money is motivating me to kick a$$ on my business. I've been a complete MACHINE lately, working all hours of the day to make the money I need to fund this project.
I actually see that my existing business will reach great levels of accomplishment due to me wanting to fund a completely separate project.
Letting My Passion Drive Personal Connections
In order to be successful in my passion, I realize I'll need to make the proper connections before my kickstarter launches. I want there to be a group of people who all know/like/trust me enough to promote me when the time comes.
I like helping people, I really really do. I like sharing anything I know that could be of help, and I've even been known to do free work because I believed in the person/project. However, I've never had the burning desire to ASSERT myself into helping other people.
I, for instance, have identified a few podcasts/blogs about kickstarter funding. Their audience is filled with proven backers and influential people. I am now writing guest posts and offering my video expertise to them and their audience. I don't need promotion, I don't need a backlink, I don't need a plug.
Hopefully, in the coming months, If/when I DO need a few moment of promotional time, they'll be there for me. But even if not, I'm okay with that.
Sharing my video expertise will expand the reach of my business organically. I knew this was a possibility before, but I just didn't CARE enough to actually go ahead and do it. This passion has really jumpstarted how outgoing I am (in a business context)
I have already met wonderful influential people who have offered to help me, so it looks like it's working.
Bottom Line
I'm using a separate passion about something to drive my business.
I'm using a separate passion to drive business connections and contacts.
I'm using a separate passion to make friends and explore new ideas.
What are you passionate about?
Letting your passions motivate your business, even if your particular business isn't your passion.
@MJ DeMarco wrote about it in TMF , but I never understood until I experienced it. It's a very powerful feeling, and (for me) works a LOT more effectively than fear/loss based motivation.
My Work
Right now, I'm doing video stuff. I've got a few clients paying me monthly to rank their videos on google. I'm selling infoproducts on how to do video, video that converts, software tutorials, etc. I have the occasional customer who wants a unique video made.
I do this because I'm GOOD at it and I'm building skills. The work itself however is a "take it or leave it" deal. I don't wake up excited everyday to do the work, and I've gotten to the point where I dread it.
My Passion
I have recently let a new passion infiltrate my life. A project that's been floating around the back of my head for years. Last week I took my first steps towards it and it has completely gripped my imagination. I won't go into details, but it's a weekly web-TV show I want to create (and then hopefully license/syndicate to tv/hulu/netflix)
The project makes me excited. I lay awake at night thinking about it. I spend my free-time listening to podcasts and radio shows and audiobooks on the topic. I'm SO excited to get my work done for the day because it means I have time to work on this hobby.
Letting My Passion Drive My Business
This project requires a few resources I don't currently have.
They're not unobtainable, but they do cost money I don't have.
I need a faster machine. I need a better microphone. I need to hire some design work out, I need to do some writing.
I'm eventually going to hold a kickstarter, but I want to have a working pilot made before I even bring it to get funding. I want to prove the concept before I ask for assistance.
This need for money is motivating me to kick a$$ on my business. I've been a complete MACHINE lately, working all hours of the day to make the money I need to fund this project.
I actually see that my existing business will reach great levels of accomplishment due to me wanting to fund a completely separate project.
Letting My Passion Drive Personal Connections
In order to be successful in my passion, I realize I'll need to make the proper connections before my kickstarter launches. I want there to be a group of people who all know/like/trust me enough to promote me when the time comes.
I like helping people, I really really do. I like sharing anything I know that could be of help, and I've even been known to do free work because I believed in the person/project. However, I've never had the burning desire to ASSERT myself into helping other people.
I, for instance, have identified a few podcasts/blogs about kickstarter funding. Their audience is filled with proven backers and influential people. I am now writing guest posts and offering my video expertise to them and their audience. I don't need promotion, I don't need a backlink, I don't need a plug.
Hopefully, in the coming months, If/when I DO need a few moment of promotional time, they'll be there for me. But even if not, I'm okay with that.
Sharing my video expertise will expand the reach of my business organically. I knew this was a possibility before, but I just didn't CARE enough to actually go ahead and do it. This passion has really jumpstarted how outgoing I am (in a business context)
I have already met wonderful influential people who have offered to help me, so it looks like it's working.
Bottom Line
I'm using a separate passion about something to drive my business.
I'm using a separate passion to drive business connections and contacts.
I'm using a separate passion to make friends and explore new ideas.
What are you passionate about?
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
