Comments on: Too Many Entrepreneurs Drink the Passion Flavored Kool-aid

By: Diana Schneidman

Diana Schneidman — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:43:19 +0000

“Action for action’s sake doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Carol, so true.

My “day job” is as a freelance writer and researcher serving the insurance and asset management industries. However, relatively few of the hiring managers participate extensively on social media, or at least not in support of their professional role rather than as individuals connecting with friends.

So I try to market my work in ways that are effective.

As for passion, I’m not passionate about it in a hobbyist sense. But I am passionate, in practice if not at a high emotional intensity, in serving my clients and meeting deadlines.

–Diana

By: RichGallagher

RichGallagher — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:31:57 +0000

I recently read the best book (besides The Entrepreneur Equation of course about this – “So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love” by Cal Newport.

Beyond your solid point that passion often equals failed businesses, he claims following your passion doesn’t make you happy either. He looks at people who followed their bliss, joined monasteries, etc. and were, in fact, less happy than when they started. His prescription (and mine): succeed by getting really, really good at something of value. Great blog!

By: Lena_M

Lena_M — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:52:07 +0000

This article rings a huge bell especially for artistically gifted people, where there is virtually no visible line in between the passion sense and business sense. It is, however, an unfortunate screaming reality today where a business plan must come before the passion. One must be aware of what the public wants and what your customers want to hear, to see, and experience. Tragically, some truly gifted artists never will have the light at the end of the tunnel, choosing to be deaf to what sells. Historically, in the past, the artist’s mission was to elevate the public’s culture level and the artist would not lower his/her standards to please the crowd. Today, however, it is fundamentally important to be very aware of the commercial market’s needs and wants. One cannot be seduced only by passion, drive, and glory of the dream.

By: Jay Oza

Jay Oza — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:11:32 +0000

Passionate or Professional? I guess it is hard to be both.

By: SteveWoodruff

SteveWoodruff — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:06:42 +0000

Carol, this is a fabulous summary of how to approach business opportunities realistically. When it comes to the self-focused aspect, people are certainly better off thinking about their strengths (which is not necessarily equivalent to passions, though there will often be an intersection point), and how those strengths can meet a customer/market need. That’s where opportunity is. I have a passion for making BBQ, but don’t see that it’s a viable biz opportunity (for me, at this time). I also have strengths in helping people gain clarity about their biz direction, and that IS a viable and needed business. Since it is a strength, it also has grown into a passion. Our mutual friend lisapetrilli has a passion for dance (hobby), but is building a business around her other strengths.