These past several weeks have been absolutely crazy for me. I’ve been working almost non-stop and, honestly, I have loved every minute of it.
When working with current and aspiring entrepreneurs, I talk a lot about finding your passion. I used to say that you know you’ve found your passion when you’re engaged in a task and time passes quickly.
I don’t believe that anymore. After all, time passes quickly when I drive the repetitive 40-mile route home from 
teaching 2 nights a week. More than once I have arrived home somewhat surprised that I didn’t remember the drive. Has that happened to anyone else? Sure. But does that mean we’re passionate about driving? Not necessarily.
Likewise on occasion I’ve had to dig into getting my office organized or my financial records in order. I can get to a place where I’m so focused I don’t even realize I’m hungry or that so much time has passed. Does that mean I’m passionate about those activities? Hardly.
Time can pass when you’re NOT having fun. Time passes when you’re focused. So how can you identify the difference between being able to focus on a task and being passionate about it? It’s about the energy.
Last night, I gave a workshop at UMBC on Finding Value in Ideas. Following our 3-phase model for entrepreneurial innovation, Get Sparked, Get Real, and Get Results, I talked for over an hour about a topic I am passionate about. Sure, the time passed, but there was something different about this time passing and my commutes home.
My energy was MULTIPLIED, not drained.
It struck me as I was driving home that I was PUMPED. Even though I expended a great deal of energy to be “on” for the group, I actually felt MORE energetic than when the session had begun. I started thinking about past occasions when I felt that way. Teaching an ACTiVATE class. Empowering a group of women. Giving an individual a much-needed empowerment “Boot in the Butt”.
Although these tasks often require considerable energy to conduct, I am left feeling more powerful, more energized, than I did before I started. THAT, I realized, is what passion does.
Passion for what I do has allowed me to function with less sleep, to get excited about the future, and to realize, day after day, that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Sure, there are aspects of my “work” that I don’t get excited about (like finances) but because I’m able to focus on the goal – the path forward – those less-than-fun tasks are now inconsequential. It’s magic.
So how do you find out what you’re passionate about? Notice the next time you get that sudden surge of energy, of power. Stop and take a moment to think about the cause. It could be a particular task or the meaning behind it. I guarantee you if you pay more attention, the answers will become clear.
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Tags: Energy, Entrepreneur, innovation
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I received 1 st loans when I was 32 and this aided my business a lot. But, I need the commercial loan also.
I totally come alive when I can talk about something I’m passionate about. This is what makes me think I should pursue it as a career but I’m just too frightened to be out there without a safety net. The happiest workers in the world are the ones who are passionate about what they’re doing.
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This is great. I have a hard time just trying to work and clean my home!
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Hi,
I think you are right because passion is the only thing which provides you a energy to achieve your goals so you can say that passion is a The Energy Multiplier. Anyways keep it up and keep continue with your valuable thoughts.
I agree with you, passion will give us more energy to face every challenge in the future. If we passionate in something, we won’t scare of any obstacle in front of us, passion give us an ability to keep survive.
Every person knows that finding for business can be a exhausting and disappointing project if the person does not know the appropriate source of exploring. anyways thanks for this great advise.
great reflection. I often reflect on these things at work too. there are many tasks on my job that I feel passionate about, and normally when I’m doing these tasks time flies, and I feel more energetic over all, even though I do more work. but then it comes the administrative work which drains my energy to the point that I often feel sick. I always try to balance between these two things, because as you know there always are going to be things you don’t like to do that need to be done, but I guess if I would;t be passionate about the majority of tasks I do at work, I would either quit, or I would be into a deep depression.
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I find i get the most done when I work like that. As stressful as it can be, its a good way for me to be productive and do everything on my to do list.
Just about any business you start is going to take a ton of work and dedication. But I know for a fact that a woodworking business can be profitable. I know a guy in our small community who basically owns the market on cabinet making. People come from the big city to the small town for his cabinets.
PASSION IS THE ENERGY THAT COMES FROM BRINGING IN MORE OF YOU INTO WHAT YOU DO.WELL I LIKE YOUR ARTICLE VERY INTERESTING.THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
>> Although these tasks often require considerable energy to conduct, I am left feeling more powerful, more energized, than I did before I started. THAT, I realized, is what passion does.
Interesting take on “passion”. By this definition, I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt passion. I’ve been engrossed in a task, been absorbed in doing something which interests me. And when I finished up, I have felt tired but satisfied. Sometimes even felt happy. I have never ever ended up a task feeling more energy than when I started – not even my hobbies.
>> Although these tasks often require considerable energy to conduct, I am left feeling more powerful, more energized, than I did before I started. THAT, I realized, is what passion does.
Good for you, although I do feel a tinge of envy.
>> So how do you find out what you’re passionate about? Notice the next time you get that sudden surge of energy, of power. Stop and take a moment to think about the cause. It could be a particular task or the meaning behind it. I guarantee you if you pay more attention, the answers will become clear.
This is a good idea. I hope I can remember it when it matters. Though I must say that I’ve looked for my passion and my purpose on and off for the past decade but never been able to find it. Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I’ve always lived my life too safely. Or maybe I’m too anti-social (some books I’ve read seem to tie in passion and purpose with being engaged on a deep level with other people, something which I’ve never been able to bring myself to do).
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Great insight on overcoming limitations! I agree – passion SELLS!
Thanks…
I agree with you. My own experience has been quite similar to yours. I have worked for 10 hours on the exhibition booth all standing through out the day, talking to people and telling them about my products with passion. At the end of the I used to have more energy than when I worked less.
Passion also helps you overcome limitations. I have found more often than not, when things are equal, people buy from those who show passion.
Cheers
Sachin
dabirsachin@gmail.com