Came across a question in an online forum today. It goes a lil’ somethin’ like this:
“This may sound silly, but I’m not quite certain about what I’m passionate enough to “run with”. This actually kinda disturbs me! LOL I’m reevaluating everything.”
I hear this a lot. I’ve asked this a lot. As this was a topic close to my heart and experiences, I wrote too long of a reply not to cut and paste it as a blog’azine article. Here was my reply:
Here are a few tools I’ve come across. One is my own story ( not to toot my horn, but to share the experience – I had a tough time discovering my passions, too).
1. There’s a movie available on DVD. It’s called I-Ology. It’s about discovering the 5 things that make a person feel important (on the premise that success is when a person ’feels important’). It’s a very simple concept; helped me get on track; and at least have peace and confidence as I moved forward.
Oh-so Useful LINK:
I-ology Movie
http://www.iologymovie.com/
(Note: The booklet that comes w/the movie contains the magic).
2. Backing up just a bit: My ’journey’ toward discovering my passions began with the concept from Jim Collin’s book: Good To Great. While he was directing this toward corporations, he described what he calls the ”Hedgehog Concept.” Essentially: What are the things you are GREAT at? What are the things you LOVE to do? What are things that create value that can be exchanged for dollars? Where these three ’circles’ intersect was where the magic was found.
Oh-so Useful LINK:
Jim Collins Hedgehog Concept
http://www.jimcollins.com/media_topics/hedgehog-concept.html#audio=79
(Note: Gary Vaynerchuk has shown how we can (almost) take the money circle out of the picture, by describing how any passion can be turned into dollars.)
Since coming across the Hedgehog Concept, it took me about a year to discover my Hedgehog Passion + Talent (known in other circles as Unique Abilities). However, it took me another year before I was able to discover how to earn money with these. Even then, I found that I was constantly changing my ideas; adding to them. Because of such, I never got much accomplished for yet another year, perhaps a bit longer.
Perhaps this seems like a LONG time (it did to me). But seeming how many never discover their own ’Fountain of Prosperity and Happiness’, a three and a half year journey isn’t so bad. Many of us have to undo some inaccurate thinking before we can get a fresh start.
Finally, I put two and two together and realized my talents and passions were IN the start-up and creative phases of business; and they didn’t have to be my ideas. I found that I loved to see ideas go from mind to market. Combined with my views of freedom being associated with free enterprise, I began a blog centered around ’The Business of Being Yourself’ (TM). I love humor (which is good, since most people point and laugh when I’m near). I now focus on other business owners and their passions; and offer fresh perspectives on adding a sense of family and community to these businesses.
Hopefully you catch my point. Desire will get you going. And simply getting started in any direction puts us on the road to discovery. We can then make left turns, right turns, u-turns along the way. But if we’re standing around thinking about it, we go nowhere. Shoot, a blog about finding one’s passion or purpose might be a great place to start. Hope this helps.
”Have A Nice Dave.” 
Dave Charbonneau, Guy who does stuff
SelfEnterpriser.com
P.S. One great thing about Gary V’s concepts in ’Crush It’ is you don’t HAVE to be the expert to get started. He talks about being able to ”have the chops” for your topic. This could simply mean you’re able to communicate your passion along your own path of discovery. If you’re interested in finding out about something, others are too. You can build great relationships with individuals who want to join you in your path of discovery.
P.P.S. This post turned out much longer than I expected; but thanks to your question, I’ve a new article for my own blog! Thank you!
P.P.P.S. I have ONE extra copy of I-ology movie, new in box. If you want it, email me at Dave@SelfEnterpriser.com and I’ll mail it to you.
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