People become self-employed for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s by choice, because they want a more flexible schedule, for example. Sometimes it’s out of necessity, because they’re out of work and unable to land a job. None of these reasons are right or wrong, as long as the decision is well thought out.

The types of business people choose to start are even more varied. They may choose to hang out their shingle to do the same type of work they did in their past employment, adopt an established model as offered by companies such as Prepaid Legal or Send Out Cards, or do something entirely new and different. This is a very individual choice, and not a decision that should be rushed.

I recently had an online discussion with a woman who is not passionate about her work, but is doing it simply because it’s what she knows, and I’m sure there are thousands of people in her shoes. I can’t help but wonder about their chances for long-term success.

I absolutely love what I do, and am excited to start every day. My business today has no resemblance to what I pictured when I first decided to do something to bring in a little extra money in my spare time. Fortunately, along the way I discovered my passion, and have been able to shape my business around it. People who have known me for years have remarked about the difference in the way I talk about what I do now, in comparison to the past. That passion not only drives me to want to continue learning and growing and working, but it has become a magnet that attracts clients to my business. After all, most people would rather deal with someone who is excited about what they do than with someone who just does it.

If your business is not moving forward as you’d hoped, maybe you should look inside yourself and ask if you are truly living your passion.

If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived?
Find your passion, whatever it may be.
Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.

T. Alan Armstrong