Turning your Passion into a Business

By Sandy Fowler

Turning Your Passion Into a Business How many times in your life have you, or someone you know, had an idea for a new business and quickly dismissed it? Have you ever seen a new product and thought, “I had that idea or Why didn’t I make that?” Have you ever gotten excited or passionate about something and then talked yourself out of doing anything about it? Have you let someone else talk you out of it? Were you afraid it wouldn’t work? Did you think it wouldn’t pay the bills? Don’t feel bad, you are in good company. Every day we hear people talk about the idea that never panned out, or the business they never started.

What if you could find a way to live your passion, and what if that passion could generate enough income to pay the bills? So often the single biggest obstacle that keeps people from realizing their dream is that they let “what if” and “I can’t” have too much power. What if you could turn the corner and not allow your fears to keep you from living your dream. The key to success in any new business venture is believing that you have the ability to make it happen, and then doing something about it. It may not be easy, but there is a plan you can follow. So go ahead and dream. Then take action. Start turning your passion into a viable income stream.

1. Identify and understand your passion. Your passion is something that gives you energy. It makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. When you talk about it your eyes light up. So what do you love to do? What do other people tell you that you are good at? Now write that down, whatever it is. Don’t judge it or try to figure out how it will create income, just write it down.
2. Be open minded. When you keep an open mind ideas will flow to you. You will start to see things you never saw before and you will open up to new possibilities.
3. Find a business coach. Now it’s time to get some advice from an expert. A business coach can help you bring your idea to life. They can help you streamline your ideas and identify possible methods for turning your passion into a business. Then they can help you create an action plan to make it happen.
4. Join a networking group. No one starts a business alone. We all have strengths and weaknesses. A successful business owner works in their strengths and hires out their weaknesses. A networking group is a great place to start making contacts and building relationships. You will find people who can help you, and people who you can help. It is also a great place to get support. We all have dream stealers in our lives - people who will try to protect us by telling us this isn’t a good idea. You need a supportive group of business people to strengthen you when you are scared or when things get tough.
5. Take action. We’ve met a lot of people who decide to make a change in their lives. They get some training, possibly meet with a networking group….and that’s it. Taking action is the make or break step that every successful does consistently. If you stop in the idea or planning phase, you will never achieve your dream. You must take action. Go ahead, make a plan, get prepared, then do something. You can always adjust your actions for the next go around, but if you never do anything you can never succeed.
6. Don’t give up. Creating change in your life is not easy, and it is not always fun. It involves a lot of learning which will come through trial and error. Watch a baby learning to walk. There is a lot of trial and error, and a lot of time spent falling down. The key is that they grab onto something, pull themselves up and do it again. If they just sit on the floor they will never experience the wonder of that first step, or the thrill of walking across the room for the first time. So when you fall down, don’t just sit there – pull yourself up and do it again!

Copyright 2007 Sandy Fowler, P.O. Box 138, Clarkston, MI 48347. If you would like to have Sandy speak at your event or teleconference email sandyfowler@ReclaimU.com
For more information on making a positive change in your business or life visit www.ReclaimU.com

Sandy Fowler, Co-founder of ReclaimU, LLC is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur and coach. Prior to starting her businesses she worked as a Statistician at Ford Motor Co., was a stay-at-home mom, lived in a foreign country and held leadership positions in her community. She has started three businesses of her own and her passion is helping others as they move their own business forward, while maintaining balance in their life. Sandy’s down-to-earth, practical approach to living, working, and prospering lets people find a way to create the change they desire.

1. Strategies for shaping your life Series (available as individual or combined talks)

Strategies for shaping your life: Through your Priorities

Strategies for shaping your life: Through your Calendar

Strategies for shaping your life: Through Goal Setting

2. Business Coaching: Sandy will help you explore various & innovative ways to enhance and grow your new or existing business. Her ability to troubleshoot, enhance systems and focus on new possibiliites is second to none!