I have no passion

12 years ago

Passion does not lie in a particular niche or stuff, it lies in the feeling of achievement with every step you take for every periodical objective you make, be it money returns or whatever. The point is to keep your eyes on your GOALS so you will get over your suffer. Make sure you do one thing at a time and sort through your priorities.

One last important thing, do not forget what you are doing this for, if it TRULY bothers you doing something you are not capable of, you can always take a step back and have a little rest. And LEARNING is always a nice thing for a better future.

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yukon

Banned 12 years ago

You ever hear the story how Richard Branson started Virgin Airlines?

Here's the short version...

Branson bought a ticket to fly to the Virgin Islands to hook up with a lady, his flight was cancelled so he picked up a small chalkboard, wrote Virgin Airlines, $29 & showed the sign to everyone else that was standing around after the same cancelled flight. He used that money to charter a private plane to fly himself & everyone else to the Virgin Islands. At the time Virgin Airlines didn't actually exist.

Q: What was his passion?
A: A lady waiting for him in the Virgin Islands.

Branson obviously figured out he could profit from chartering planes by using other peoples money.

Sometimes business ideas are right there in your face, you just have to slow down & pay attention.

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discrat 12 years ago

Have a Passion for starting and running your own online business and making your own money and being able to support yourself and your family from this financial independence.

That is a pretty good Passion right there, wouldn't you say
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Joe Mobley

12 years ago

http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...-give-get.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...r-off-way.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...-passions.html

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to determine what you're really passionate about?

See the box your thinking is putting you in? "I can't make money until I find my passion." Probably not the most effective mindset.

Brenda Phillips passion.

When I was in my mid-teens, about the time I got my learners-permit, I started dating Brenda. I liked spending time with Brenda. I like going to church and sitting with her. I liked having after-church lunch with her family. I liked going to the drive-in movies with her. I liked taking her out to eat. You get the idea, I was pretty passionate about the time I could spend with her!

But all of that cost money. I had an after school job as a Petroleum Transport Technician for Texaco Gas... Okay, I pumped gas at a Stuckey's. I wasn't passionate about the job as much as I was passionate about the results, time with Brenda.

All that to say, don't wait until you feel passionate. Get up and do something.

Joe Mobley

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Kurt

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

Okay, I pumped gas at a Stuckey's.

And this was when Joe's on-going passion for peanut brittle was born...

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BigFrank

Banned 12 years ago

Greetings. If you have to search for something that you are passionate about, that's probably a non-starter.

Better to find something that you are at least mildly interested in and spend a little time gaining more knowledge in that area. Then, set a series of small goals for yourself that are easily attainable through nothing more than a modicum of daily effort with a commitment to see each task through to a successful completion. Things that are 'measurable' work best when starting out.

Achieving small goals on a daily or weekly basis gives you the confidence in your abilities and the strength to set slightly larger ones going forward. Over time, your increased ability to reach loftier goals and the additional knowledge you gain in your area of interest will allow you to reach a level of self-confidence that you may not have thought attainable.

The end result of this method of 'getting involved' is that you become passionate about the most important thing that you ever could and that is a total belief in yourself, your abilities, your commitment and developing a clear path to reaching your financial goals. If you can't get passionate about the power within yourself to achieve anything that you put your mind to, then you are lost.

Passion is extremely overrated and it has a tendency to fade. That's just human nature. Additionally, taking something that you love and turning it into your job can totally destroy your love for it, over time. There are many who will disagree with that statement but it is one of the most common refrains that I have heard over and over as I have trekked through life. There are always exceptions to everything, but it is something to keep in mind. That said, I guess that is not really an issue for you, but I bring it up to illustrate that you need not be disappointed that you do not have something that you love to use as a springboard to launch a new business or career.

While you may not be passionate about anything, I'm sure that there are at least a couple of things that you are knowledgeable about and hopefully good at. Why not try to capitalize on one of those? Work through them in your mind, then do some basic research and try to discover which or your talents might have commercial viability and go from there?

There are many ways to earn extra money. The opportunities for that are unlimited. You are blessed to have a good job, already. Don't jeopardize that in any way. It doesn't sound like you are in a desperate situation so take your time and think about it at great length.

Since you did not mention your age, it's hard to get a fix on some things that may be better suggestions for you. If I could make a suggestion to get you started it would be to stop bemoaning the fact that your prior attempts have resulted in failure for one reason or another. The most important thing? STOP LOOKING BACKWARDS!!! (Yes, I am screaming). Everything you seek is in front of you. Looking in the rearview mirror will only cripple you in your attempt to move forward.

Additionally, you may blow through another dozen things before hitting upon something that works for you. So, what? Where's the fire? As long as you are making a concerted effort to keep searching for something that works for you - you ARE making progress. Just hang on to that job for now, turn off the friggin' television and look in the mirror each morning and simply ask yourself what the hell you are made of?

This stuff ain't easy - but it is simple!

Good luck and here's the only thing you need to keep in mind about your life going forward: "Onward and upward." There is nothing else!

Cheers. - Frank

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MikeAmbrosio

12 years ago

Read Franks post again.

I suffer a similar lack of passion about stuff. But really, after some deep soul-searching, I found that it really wasn't a lack of passion so much as a lack of either knowledge or ability.

For example, in the early days of my internet marketing life, my successes were very limited. It was hard to motivate myself on particular projects. But what I discovered was that I really wasn't a very good marketer. I didn't enjoy that end of this business and frankly, it was escaping me completely back then.

But I DID discover that I enjoyed the other side of the business - building the sites, the membership areas, working with programmers, testing scripts, etc. At that point I started working with partners who lacked what I had, but were good at marketing, had ideas, the creative spark that I lacked. Then we'd feed off each other and THAT'S when I started making money as well as started to enjoy the business more.

Maybe this doesn't work for everyone, but for me, I need to work with a partner - preferably one who is opposite me in particular skill sets.

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BigFrank

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

Maybe this doesn't work for everyone, but for me, I need to work with a partner - preferably one who is opposite me in particular skill sets.

Danger, Will Robinson. Danger!

Not working for everyone is a major understatement. I firmly believe that for anyone to reach the ultimate level of personal success in business, it is imperative to do something that they are 100% personally responsible for. There is nothing more aggravating, demoralizing or deadly than putting your faith, trust and livelihood in the hands of another human being.

The minute that you entrust another humanoid with an aspect of your business than could reflect poorly back onto yourself, you are asking for trouble and giving others the power to control your level of success in life. Your clients do NOT want to hear about someone letting you down as the reason for you letting them down. In their mind the bottom line is that YOU let them down.

I'm amazed at the unlimited number of ways that humanoids can find to sabotage their own lives and careers, taking others down with them in the process. You can spend months or years nurturing your relationship with a client and have that crushed by someone that you have been able to trust for a long period of time, deciding that today's the day you are going to be let down by them. If you don't think that incident will have a profiund and lasting effect on your own career and the ability to trust others going forward, you have not had that happen to you. It stinks.

Now, I know that there are a few here that will grouse that I'm simply a difficult person to work with and that is probably the reason why I have had more than occurrence of this take place in my business career. To that I say, "bullcrap." I conduct myself quite well in my business dealings, I always go above and beyond the call of duty, I am generous to a fault, I treat clients and those I partner with with a high degree of trust and respect and more likely than not all I get to show for extending myself in that fashion is a whole lot of nuthin'. Not always, but more often that I can tolerate.

No. I pride myself on being fully responsible to those that employ me and never will I blame someone's shortcomings or inability to deliver as an excuse for why something was not completed as promised by me.

Does that mean that I have never disappointed someone through my own inability to meet a deadline. Of course not. I am however much more comfortable taking personal responsibility for my own failures that trying to use others a an excuse.

Mike, I'm thrilled that you are able to work in such a fashion - comfortably and successfully. I have always maintained the stance that if I had 2 more like myself that I could have ruled the world. I've not found those individuls, yet.

I'd rather carry a bucket and a squeegee and wash windows by my lonesome than ever give another person any ability to shape or ruin my future.

But, hey - that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

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MikeAmbrosio

12 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Danger, Will Robinson. Danger!

Not working for everyone is a major understatement. I firmly believe that for anyone to reach the ultimate level of personal success in business, it is imperative to do something that they are 100% personally responsible for. There is nothing more aggravating, demoralizing or deadly than putting your faith, trust and livelihood in the hands of another human being.

The minute that you entrust another humanoid with an aspect of your business than could reflect poorly back onto yourself, you are asking for trouble and giving others the power to control your level of success in life. Your clients do NOT want to hear about someone letting you down as the reason for you letting them down. In their mind the bottom line is that YOU let them down.

I'm amazed at the unlimited number of ways that humanoids can find to sabotage their own lives and careers, taking others down with them in the process. You can spend months or years nurturing your relationship with a client and have that crushed by someone that you have been able to trust for a long period of time, deciding that today's the day you are going to be let down by them. If you don't think that incident will have a profiund and lasting effect on your own career and the ability to trust others going forward, you have not had that happen to you. It stinks.

Now, I know that there are a few here that will grouse that I'm simply a difficult person to work with and that is probably the reason why I have had more than occurrence of this take place in my business career. To that I say, "bullcrap." I conduct myself quite well in my business dealings, I always go above and beyond the call of duty, I am generous to a fault, I treat clients and those I partner with with a high degree of trust and respect and more likely than not all I get to show for extending myself in that fashion is a whole lot of nuthin'. Not always, but more often that I can tolerate.

No. I pride myself on being fully responsible to those that employ me and never will I blame someone's shortcomings or inability to deliver as an excuse for why something was not completed as promised by me.

Does that mean that I have never disappointed someone through my own inability to meet a deadline. Of course not. I am however much more comfortable taking personal responsibility for my own failures that trying to use others a an excuse.

Mike, I'm thrilled that you are able to work in such a fashion - comfortably and successfully. I have always maintained the stance that if I had 2 more like myself that I could have ruled the world. I've not found those individuls, yet.

I'd rather carry a bucket and a squeegee and wash windows by my lonesome than ever give another person any ability to shape or ruin my future.

But, hey - that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

I think you're more the exception than the rule. IMO, anyway.

I find working with others actually helps motivate me to get things done. Also, from my own experiences, when working alone, I struggle at those things I am not very good at.

I know I could simply hire things out (and at times I do), but then aren't we still depending on those "humanoids"? Somewhere along the line, we are forced to.

If I had 2 more like me, I'd have the best team for handling the technical side of a web business but I would still need help elsewhere. I have no desire to learn how to be a copy writer (though I have done it) or write articles (though I have done that too) or create graphics (been there, done that too) or be a programmer (never tried that one...).

Have I been burned by others? LOL, you betcha! More than a few times. But it takes more than a few assholes to discourage me from working with other, good people (which I have had great success with as well).

In my I.M. life, I have had 4 figure launches (doing everything myself) as well as 5 and 6 figure launches (in those cases, working with partners). I enjoyed the entire process - and the results - much more when working with partners.

Choosing the right partner? Well, now THERE'S a challenge.

And finally, even if you do everything yourself, you STILL need to interact with other humanoids who will have the ability so "shape or ruin your future"...they're called customers.

But in the end, if you prefer being on your own, then it's best to remain on your own - lest you drive your partners crazy

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BigFrank

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

I think you're more the exception than the rule. IMO, anyway.

No doubt about that. lol

I find working with others actually helps motivate me to get things done. Also, from my own experiences, when working alone, I struggle at those things I am not very good at.

I never need to be motivated and I rarely undertake anything for a client that I am not reasonably good at. It's important to know one's strengths and much more important to acknowledge one's shortcomings. Personal honesty is always the best policy.

I know I could simply hire things out (and at times I do), but then aren't we still depending on those "humanoids"? Somewhere along the line, we are forced to.

I will succumb to the need on extremely rare occasions, but I will only deal with those that come highly recommended. I also warn the person doing the recommending that they better be damn sure about that or I will hunt them down and rip their throat out. They know that I mean it.

If I had 2 more like me, I'd have the best team for handling the technical side of a web business but I would still need help elsewhere. I have no desire to learn how to be a copy writer (though I have done it) or write articles (though I have done that too) or create graphics (been there, done that too) or be a programmer (never tried that one...).

Everyone should have some experience in all of those areas if they are going to pursue this line of work. I honestly tell my clients that I am fluent in all of those disciplines, but if they want someone to charge them $1000 for a sales letter - they are on their own. Likewise award-winning graphic design and/or programming. Programming experience is simply not required for the level I work at.

Have I been burned by others? LOL, you betcha! More than a few times. But it takes more than a few assholes to discourage me from working with other, good people (which I have had great success with as well).

You are quite fortunate. Maybe you attract a better class of people than I do. lol

In my I.M. life, I have had 4 figure launches (doing everything myself) as well as 5 and 6 figure launches (in those cases, working with partners). I enjoyed the entire process - and the results - much more when working with partners.

I have had no launches, as that is not the world I live. The only thing I launch are small websites for small businesses, since the not-for-profit healthcare corporations that I worked for in NYC closed their doors. I live and work in a much more relaxed environment now, and I only work because I choose to, not because I have to. Uncle Sam sends me a check that I need a third of to cover my living expenses and I bought my Apple stock at $15 as everyone I told to load up, laughed at me. Who's laughing, now??? No - I work to placate the immense boredom of my existence. I see no reason to complicate my lifestyle with relationships and arrangements in an effort to simply acquire more money. I enjoy working, but I find it just as enjoyable to take a Udemy course on something just to discover whether or not I am truly interested in the subject. I think it has become quite apparent to all who have read my posts since arriving here that I am 99% outside the norm, but incredibly comfortable occupying that space.

Someone recently commented about me in a thread that was closed down and I'm paraphrasing, here, that "I have had a tough life - boo-hoo." I'm sorry - but stating facts about your life is far from complaining about them. Truth be told - I try to never complain about any aspect of my life as I take full responsibility for everything that has happened to me, stretching back to pre-adolescence. I never complain about anything that happened to me in Vietnam. I volunteered for that when I was 16. Why would I ever think that I would have the right to complain about anything that was a result of that? That would be plain silly.

No - I'm a loner and loners need to be alone. (Geico stole that line from me).

Choosing the right partner? Well, now THERE'S a challenge.

Yep - and you can choose correctly 99 times and that 100th selection can be the one that blows up in your face. I'm not believing the odds could ever be that good. I guess part of my problem is that I expect that everyone involved in a project is going to work as hard as me. I have yet to find that to be the case. I recently had a prospective client outline his needs to me and after doing so I asked him if he had a realistic expectation of the time needed to complete such a project. He replied, "nine months, or so." I nearly fell out of my chair. I told him that I planned to be dead in nine months and it would be done in 3 months or it was on the house. Nine months? Are you kidding me? Of course that's what other people that he asked told him. I was incredulous. And you want that I should partner with people like that? I'll pass. If I can't do it in three months, all by my lonesome, I'm happy to do the job for free. If nothing else I will have been taught a helluva lesson. lol Nine months! Who thinks like that? I mean how long did the Manhattan Project, take? The Apollo Mission? Nine months! lol

And finally, even if you do everything yourself, you STILL need to interact with other humanoids who will have the ability so "shape or ruin your future"...they're called customers.

That's where my patience and acting skills come into play. My clients love me, use me repeatedly and oftentimes become my, for lack of a better word, 'friends' and almost all of my business comes from referrals. Don't judge me by what I exhibit, here. lol. I can be the nastiest SOB that you will ever encounter, or so it would seem. I can also be the nicest, friendliest person that you would ever hope to meet. The latter has rarely served me well and the former allows me to keep interactions with others to a bare minimum, which is just how I like it. We have to do that which works best for ourselves. My way would never serve you well and your way would result in self-destruction for me.

But in the end, if you prefer being on your own, then it's best to remain on your own - lest you drive your partners crazy

No truer words have ever been spoken. That way I never have to feel guilty for driving someone off the deep end!

Cheers. - Frank

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MikeAmbrosio

12 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

No doubt about that. lol
I never need to be motivated and I rarely undertake anything for a client that I am not reasonably good at. It's important to know one's strengths and much more important to acknowledge one's shortcomings. Personal honesty is always the best policy.
I will succumb to the need on extremely rare occasions, but I will only deal with those that come highly recommended. I also warn the person doing the recommending that they better be damn sure about that or I will hunt them down and rip their throat out. They know that I mean it.
Everyone should have some experience in all of those areas if they are going to pursue this line of work. I honestly tell my clients that I am fluent in all of those disciplines, but if they want someone to charge them $1000 for a sales letter - they are on their own. Likewise award-winning graphic design and/or programming. Programming experience is simply not required for the level I work at.
You are quite fortunate. Maybe you attract a better class of people than I do. lol
I have had no launches, as that is not the world I live. The only thing I launch are small websites for small businesses, since the not-for-profit healthcare corporations that I worked for in NYC closed their doors. I live and work in a much more relaxed environment now, and I only work because I choose to, not because I have to. Uncle Sam sends me a check that I need a third of to cover my living expenses and I bought my Apple stock at $15 as everyone I told to load up, laughed at me. Who's laughing, now??? No - I work to placate the immense boredom of my existence. I see no reason to complicate my lifestyle with relationships and arrangements in an effort to simply acquire more money. I enjoy working, but I find it just as enjoyable to take a Udemy course on something just to discover whether or not I am truly interested in the subject. I think it has become quite apparent to all who have read my posts since arriving here that I am 99% outside the norm, but incredibly comfortable occupying that space.

Someone recently commented about me in a thread that was closed down and I'm paraphrasing, here, that "I have had a tough life - boo-hoo." I'm sorry - but stating facts about your life is far from complaining about them. Truth be told - I try to never complain about any aspect of my life as I take full responsibility for everything that has happened to me, stretching back to pre-adolescence. I never complain about anything that happened to me in Vietnam. I volunteered for that when I was 16. Why would I ever think that I would have the right to complain about anything that was a result of that? That would be plain silly.

No - I'm a loner and loners need to be alone. (Geico stole that line from me).

Yep - and you can choose correctly 99 times and that 100th selection can be the one that blows up in your face. I'm not believing the odds could ever be that good. I guess part of my problem is that I expect that everyone involved in a project is going to work as hard as me. I have yet to find that to be the case. I recently had a prospective client outline his needs to me and after doing so I asked him if he had a realistic expectation of the time needed to complete such a project. He replied, "nine months, or so." I nearly fell out of my chair. I told him that I planned to be dead in nine months and it would be done in 3 months or it was on the house. Nine months? Are you kidding me? Of course that's what other people that he asked told him. I was incredulous. And you want that I should partner with people like that? I'll pass. If I can't do it in three months, all by my lonesome, I'm happy to do the job for free. If nothing else I will have been taught a helluva lesson. lol Nine months! Who thinks like that? I mean how long did the Manhattan Project, take? The Apollo Mission? Nine months! lol
That's where my patience and acting skills come into play. My clients love me, use me repeatedly and oftentimes become my, for lack of a better word, 'friends' and almost all of my business comes from referrals. Don't judge me by what I exhibit, here. lol. I can be the nastiest SOB that you will ever encounter, or so it would seem. I can also be the nicest, friendliest person that you would ever hope to meet. The latter has rarely served me well and the former allows me to keep interactions with others to a bare minimum, which is just how I like it. We have to do that which works best for ourselves. My way would never serve you well and your way would result in self-destruction for me.
No truer words have ever been spoken. That way I never have to feel guilty for driving someone off the deep end!

Cheers. - Frank

Ah, you have web clients that you make sites for. I did that for about 2 years - and hated every second of it. In my off line consulting business, I deal with people daily - although more so in a corporate environment. Completely different from small business owners and individuals. And my consulting work has nothing to do with web stuff.

In my ON line world, I prefer creating something and launching it. Which is where partners come in. I like having someone to bounce ideas off of and keep me on track with deadlines. I work EXCEPTIONALLY well with deadlines. If I don't have one, I will procrastinate (or, more realistically, become distracted with other stuff

). But I know this about myself

I work both because I have to and frankly, because I LOVE to. I need things to do. My consulting provides for my family quite well, so my on line stuff is now my sideline. It wasn't always that way. I NEEDED to make money on line at one point to survive - I had a lot of debt back then. My successful launches went a long way to clearing that away, but it did burn me out after about 6 solid years of doing it. I took a year off from on line stuff. Now it's more of a pleasure.

The partners I choose to work with now are typically people I either know personally, or have come recommended by people I trust. That's still no guarantee - but I didn't get in to this expecting guarantees. I trust people by nature until they give me a reason not to. Then all bets are off. I never trust them again. I find this much more fulfilling than mistrusting people from the start. I had an ex wife like that...negative person she was.

Anyway, I think we both are comfortable working the way we do, which goes to show that there's more than one way to work.

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BigFrank

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

Ah, you have web clients that you make sites for. I did that for about 2 years - and hated every second of it.

What's to hate? lol I look at it, this way. Uncle Sam sent me to NYU to learn web development under VocRehab. I get a great deal of satisfaction setting up a website for someone new in business that is watching every penny. I'm even luckier when they have called others before I called them and they have quotes that range from double, triple or more than what I am willing to do the job for. It's an added bonus when I get to say to them, "Hey - your tax dollars paid for me to learn how to do this. Isn't it time you got something back on that investment?" Works like a charm. lol

In my off line consulting business, I deal with people daily - although more so in a corporate environment. Completely different from small business owners and individuals. And my consulting work has nothing to do with web stuff.

Our lives are worlds apart - and probably in every way imaginable.

In my ON line world, I prefer creating something and launching it.

Well, I have created something and launched it, but it's the type of thing that will take years to grow and I mainly use it to allow people to find me for the things I do. I started it because it was a huge challenge, which I was up for at the time and it has paid for itself in 6 months and has brought me a steady stream of new business in both web and video work. Just enough to keep me happy and engaged without needing to look for help.

Which is where partners come in. I like having someone to bounce ideas off of and keep me on track with deadlines. I work EXCEPTIONALLY well with deadlines. If I don't have one, I will procrastinate (or, more realistically, become distracted with other stuff

). But I know this about myself

Ant therein lies half the battle. I know myself so well at this point that on some occasions when I am presented with an opportunity I know to let it pass as I might be biting off more than I can chew and I don't want the stress that can lead to. PTSD and extra stress is a deadly combination. I need the tranquility of a monk in order to survive happily.

I work both because I have to and frankly, because I LOVE to. I need things to do. My consulting provides for my family quite well, so my on line stuff is now my sideline. It wasn't always that way. I NEEDED to make money on line at one point to survive - I had a lot of debt back then. My successful launches went a long way to clearing that away, but it did burn me out after about 6 solid years of doing it. I took a year off from on line stuff. Now it's more of a pleasure.

I believe that the worst thing about my life is that I don't have to work to survive, yet I am unable to sit on the dock and watch the clouds float by for more than 20 minutes without going stir crazy. My brain never stops spinning and I have a million ideas, but since I have no reason to actually do them - I only look to the ones that have personal allure for me - like doing my radio show. I absolutely love doing my radio show, but if I tried to make it something that I did for money, I would hate it and quit it permanently. I am so looking forward to coming off summer hiatus but I have not figured out the direction I want to take in the next iteration of the show. I'm running out of time to decide.

The partners I choose to work with now are typically people I either know personally, or have come recommended by people I trust. That's still no guarantee - but I didn't get in to this expecting guarantees. I trust people by nature until they give me a reason not to. Then all bets are off. I never trust them again. I find this much more fulfilling than mistrusting people from the start. I had an ex wife like that...negative person she was.

Well, if that's a dig at me - it's duly noted. lol I don't mistrust people from the outset. I simply do not put myself in a situation with them that I need to trust them or not. I just avoid the entanglement then I don't have any reason to not trust them.

When I play poker I trust everyone - but I still make them shuffle and cut the cards. :-)

Anyway, I think we both are comfortable working the way we do, which goes to show that there's more than one way to work.

Absolutely-positootly!

Cheers. - Frank

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discrat 12 years ago

Thank you gents for your philosophical views on Business and Life
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MikeAmbrosio

12 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

What's to hate? lol I look at it, this way. Uncle Sam sent me to NYU to learn web development under VocRehab. I get a great deal of satisfaction setting up a website for someone new in business that is watching every penny. I'm even luckier when they have called others before I called them and they have quotes that range from double, triple or more than what I am willing to do the job for. It's an added bonus when I get to say to them, "Hey - your tax dollars paid for me to learn how to do this. Isn't it time you got something back on that investment?" Works like a charm. lol

I didn't really hate the work. I hated the customers who hire you to do a job but then think that for the price they paid they own you. I always got annoyed at customers who tell you what they want, you give it to them then they decide they want something different - and feel they shouldn't have to pay.

Hmmm - seems like my experience with these customers is much like yours with partners - lol

Anyway, my corporate customers aren't like that. Perhaps I got spoiled over the years...

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Our lives are worlds apart - and probably in every way imaginable.

Actually, if you read past the obvious stuff, we're probably more alike than you think.

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Well, I have created something and launched it, but it's the type of thing that will take years to grow and I mainly use it to allow people to find me for the things I do. I started it because it was a huge challenge, which I was up for at the time and it has paid for itself in 6 months and has brought me a steady stream of new business in both web and video work. Just enough to keep me happy and engaged without needing to look for help.

Case in point - I am working on a project like that now. What I mean is something that will help me with certain things while at the same time I believe will be a good service for others. It's not launched yet though. Got a few more months. And aside from programmers, this one I have no partners.

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Ant therein lies half the battle. I know myself so well at this point that on some occasions when I am presented with an opportunity I know to let it pass as I might be biting off more than I can chew and I don't want the stress that can lead to. PTSD and extra stress is a deadly combination. I need the tranquility of a monk in order to survive happily.

I know now. I learned not to bite off more than I can chew. I have to admit though - no PTSD here. I was in the service, but during "peace time".

Originally Posted by BigFrank

I believe that the worst thing about my life is that I don't have to work to survive, yet I am unable to sit on the dock and watch the clouds float by for more than 20 minutes without going stir crazy. My brain never stops spinning and I have a million ideas, but since I have no reason to actually do them - I only look to the ones that have personal allure for me - like doing my radio show. I absolutely love doing my radio show, but if I tried to make it something that I did for money, I would hate it and quit it permanently. I am so looking forward to coming off summer hiatus but I have not figured out the direction I want to take in the next iteration of the show. I'm running out of time to decide.

I'm similar here. The difference is I don't have ideas swirling around. For me it's simply an innate curiosity about so many different things - on line and off. I also have my consultancy that is starting to grow (albeit slowly - which is fine), my web "enterprise", the house we just bought and all the projects that go with it, drums, running, bicycling, my Harley...not enough time in the day.

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Well, if that's a dig at me - it's duly noted. lol I don't mistrust people from the outset. I simply do not put myself in a situation with them that I need to trust them or not. I just avoid the entanglement then I don't have any reason to not trust them.

When I play poker I trust everyone - but I still make them shuffle and cut the cards. :-)

Absolutely-positootly!

Cheers. - Frank

Ha ha - no, just a dig at my ex.

Well, in my view, not putting yourself in a position to HAVE to trust or mistrust is a form of mistrust. That's just pop psychology, but it usually works for me

Ok, I think I've bored enough people for one day. It's a beautiful day - time to go for a swim.

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Joe Mobley 12 years ago

... pecan log rolls.

Looking back, there was a significant investment in product testing.

Joe Mobley

Originally Posted by Kurt

And this was when Joe's on-going passion for peanut brittle was born...
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- lanfear63 12 years ago
  
  Sure you have passion, the passion to want make money. and lots of it. Mr Wonderful's favorite
  
  You have the passion to make it for yourself, be your own boss and not want the limitation of the day job which unless your the CEO will ultimately be limited.
  
  So you have some passion.
  
  But, you don't really enjoy any of what you do to try and get it. Who does here unless your a writer or make software or products that are a creative process they enjoy. You don't have the will or drive to tackle major tasks as your not in to it like others. So dont.
  
  The best thing for you then is to be as diverse as possible, do different micro tasks that each bring a trickle of cash that ultimately adds up. eg: I recently put up a couple of Amazon Autoblog selling sites full of Amazon products using a plugin and Wordpress. Nothing fancy, never promoted them, On sub domains from one hosting Account. Earning 15 bucks a month on them. Put up a load more, each takes 30 minutes and could earn a lot more. That's passive too. Once done, leave it. If you can find a 5 minute task to drive some traffic to each even better but not essential.
  
  Being diverse is best, small, short burst, diverse tasks. Passive (set and forget) is best, less likely to get bored, less likely to lose out if concentrating on one thing.
  
  You probably are like a lot of people, start big projects/methods and promise yourself you will stick with it and because results don't come right away you get bored doing it, even if you do get some you still get bored. I admit I do.
  
  So that's not for you, what Claude does is not for you.
  
  So find little, quick set and forget tasks and move on.
  
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  512 Designs 12 years ago
  
  I want to thank again for everyone's replies and inputs. I feel much better knowing that I'm not crazy for not having one single thing that I'm passionate about. So I took some time and thought of a few things that I enjoy doing.
  
  I like working with graphics and designs, and a while back I did some digital scrapbooking (yeah, that's more of a female thing), but hey, graphics and design is graphics and design no matter what gender you are. Plus I liked using my kids as the subjects and I'm able to add a male influence to the art.
  
  So knowing that scrapbooking and digital scrapbooking is a pretty large niche, I took the weekend and designed a scrapbooking social network site. It's pretty simple for now but I can vision it getting bigger as time goes on. Not just bigger as far as users, but also being able to add advertising, classified ads, and affiliate products.
  
  The software was free and I already paid for 2 years of hosting up front, so besides advertising (which I hope to start off using free methods), it should be a pretty low cost and low maintenance site...fingers crossed.
  
  So I now have to concentrate on getting the word out and make sure it spreads. I'll also be able to show off some new graphic designs I plan on working on as well. Wish me luck.
  
  And any suggestions or comments about it are welcomed.
  
  Mike
  
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johnben1444

12 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

You ever hear the story how Richard Branson started Virgin Airlines?

Here's the short version...

Branson bought a ticket to fly to the Virgin Islands to hook up with a lady, his flight was cancelled so he picked up a small chalkboard, wrote Virgin Airlines, $29 & showed the sign to everyone else that was standing around after the same cancelled flight. He used that money to charter a private plane to fly himself & everyone else to the Virgin Islands. At the time Virgin Airlines didn't actually exist.

Q: What was his passion?
A: A lady waiting for him in the Virgin Islands.

Branson obviously figured out he could profit from chartering planes by using other peoples money.

Sometimes business ideas are right there in your face, you just have to slow down & pay attention.

If this doesn't inspire you, what else will?

And you don't necessarily have to love that girl either.

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Daniel Evans 12 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

Sometimes business ideas are right there in your face, you just have to slow down & pay attention.

A business idea can be right in your face and still, you can have no passion for it...

A lot of people usually word lack of passion as "This doesn't fit in my my business model" - even if it was never meant to fit, or they didn't have a "business model" to begin with.

Branson exuberated passion from the outset.

Originally Posted by 512 Designs

But what happens when you're really not passionate about anything?

Usually signifies a low level of endorphins which a change of lifestyle is likely to remedy, in light of the fact you mentioned sitting infront of the TV if money weren't important.
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elusian

12 years ago

It sounds like you have started several different projects, gotten bored and moved on to something else. I used to have this problem and would beat myself up over it. Now I embrace it. I will routinely have 5-10 projects or project ideas going at a time. If I get bored with one, I simply go to one of the others. I don't waste time beating myself up over it.

The funny thing is that now that I allow myself to do this, I get ten times the amount done. In the last week, I have written 3 books and created two audios - all in different subjects.

The marketing is the same regardless of the product but I keep from getting bored by playing in different niches. And the parts of the marketing that I do not enjoy, I simply outsource.

Perhaps if you treated the niches that you get into and the projects like a game it will be more fun for you. By the tone of your message it sounds like you dread coming up with these ideas and trying to complete projects. Change the way that you look at it and decide to just have fun creating these online businesses. It will take the pressure off, at the very least.

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Joe Lumbergh

12 years ago

Passion will develop and grow with success. Pick something that interests you a tiny bit, making money with it will grow it into a passion.

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sbucciarel

Banned 12 years ago

I'd probably just sit in front of the TV and live vicariously through everyone else.

If it's laziness and you just get bored and don't want to do the necessary work to make a project successful, might as well not bother. If it's lack of passion, you don't need to passionate about a niche to make money. Get passionate about making money.

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512 Designs

12 years ago

Wow. Thanks for all the answers. You guys and gals could go into psychiatry.

From what I'm getting, the word "passion" is overrated and something that I really shouldn't worry about at this time. It's just that I hear that word everyday whether it be in various forum posts or when speaking to people. I'm glad to know that my lack of "passion" could simply be that I'm interested in so many different things that I can't narrow it down to just one....nor do I have to.

After reading your answers and thinking about it for a little bit, I believe I've been dealing with this backwards. I've always tried to find something that I like doing AND make money with. If I couldn't immediately see the money, I'd move on to something else.

Instead I should find something (or a bunch of things) that I like whether it can make money or not. Become skilled at it. Then figure out a way to monetize it. And if I can't monetize it, at least I'm doing something that I like doing and feel good about.

Joe, thanks for the suggested blog readings. I read them all and they talk about exactly the way I am....and according to the authors....that's fine.

Caterina, thanks for the idea of working on various niches and jumping between them if I get bored. I also like how you make a game of it.

To everyone else, I truly appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I just now need to take a step back and really figure out what I want to do. And btw, I'm almost 50 and it's funny (yet sad) to say that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

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Claude Whitacre 12 years ago

Hey Wait! Claude hasn't had a chance to force you to endure my bragging...

I don't know if I've ever had exactly the position you are in. But here is what I did.

For years, in sales, I made about $50,000 a year (most of the 80s and 90s) I would simply work until I made my grand a week, and then stop. But that's not what will help you.

I started learning about marketing. I put in place programs that had people call me.

I could no longer hide, watching TV or going to movies. people were calling me, ready to see what I sold. I found it easy to not pick up the phone, when I was cold calling. But I found it impossible not to pick up the phone, when someone was calling me. I was forced into more action. It became unavoidable.

And a funny thing happens when your income skyrockets. You get used to the increased income. You get used to being busy. And being busy, making money, is not any harder at all..than avoiding work.

When I started speaking to groups of salespeople, they wold tell me "Wow, you have so much ambition, so much drive"...but I don't. I just set things up, so that it's easier to let the marketing force me to be productive..than just sitting on my ass.

I'm a rare person that finds it almost impossible to get excited. Motivational speeches leave me cold. But when I've arranged it so that business finds me.....motivation is unnecessary.

I make a lot of money selling vacuum cleaners. Do you think I'm passionate about vacuum cleaners? I'm not.
I get consulting calls, speaking invitations....none of it is exciting to me. But I'm good at it, people want to pay me...and that's enough for me.
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yukon

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by 512 Designs

Wow. Thanks for all the answers. You guys and gals could go into psychiatry.

From what I'm getting, the word "passion" is overrated and something that I really shouldn't worry about at this time. It's just that I hear that word everyday whether it be in various forum posts or when speaking to people. I'm glad to know that my lack of "passion" could simply be that I'm interested in so many different things that I can't narrow it down to just one....nor do I have to.

After reading your answers and thinking about it for a little bit, I believe I've been dealing with this backwards. I've always tried to find something that I like doing AND make money with. If I couldn't immediately see the money, I'd move on to something else.

Instead I should find something (or a bunch of things) that I like whether it can make money or not. Become skilled at it. Then figure out a way to monetize it. And if I can't monetize it, at least I'm doing something that I like doing and feel good about.

Joe, thanks for the suggested blog readings. I read them all and they talk about exactly the way I am....and according to the authors....that's fine.

Caterina, thanks for the idea of working on various niches and jumping between them if I get bored. I also like how you make a game of it.

To everyone else, I truly appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I just now need to take a step back and really figure out what I want to do. And btw, I'm almost 50 and it's funny (yet sad) to say that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying what you do as a business, still you need to research/test to make sure it's worth your time, otherwise it's not really a business it's more of a hobby.

Here's a real life example.

My latest business had a laser targeted traffic source before I ever had a product to sell. I ran a few ads as If I had a product to sell, the emails came rolling in. From 6 ads (total) in 2 US states I generated almost 50 leads with emails & phone numbers for each potential buyer. Those first few ads were for testing/verifying both traffic & demand for the product. During testing I didn't have a checkout setup, there was no way to collect money (by design), the purpose was collecting data.

The product I sell is an item that people buy in bulk, sort of like nobody would buy a single dining room chair, they would buy at least 6 chairs (bulk), not what I'm selling just an example. The product I advertised was marked up 50%. Traffic could easily find the product for half price by searching Google (that's how I found my supplier). Still, my traffic source doesn't search for a lower price, If they did they wouldn't be buying.

Look at the Richard Branson example when he started Virgin Airlines. Branson had proof that people around him were buyers because all those other people on the cancelled flight had already bought a plane ticket & already had their money refunded just like he did, he knew those people had money to spend & they were all desperate to get to the Virgin Islands. Nobody wants to layover in an airport for hours.

My point here is, prove buyers exist. If you can't prove demand for a product/service before actually selling then your basically gambling.

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Claude Whitacre 12 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

My point here is, prove buyers exist. If you can't prove demand for a product/service before actually selling then your basically gambling.

Wow, that should be carved in stone. Thanks.
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jakeking

12 years ago

Best of luck to you. Certainly can be daunting not thinking you're not passionate about anything. But there's always something out there for everyone, and it would be a shame if you didn't get out there and try.

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I have no passion

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