Do you have many passions and interests?
Do you have trouble figuring out how to turn your interests into a thriving business?
Most people do.
Do you ever wonder why that is?
The problem isn’t what you think it is.
And that’s a good thing.
When you’re done reading this article, you’ll breathe sigh of relief, because you’ll realize that it was never your job to figure this whole thing out.
Let’s Start with the Problem
The problem isn’t that you can’t figure this out, it’s that you think you should.
You see, you have an idea about how things should be. And when things don’t go according to your ideas, you feel bad.
But if you look at it, it’s your own creation.
You spend time brainstorming, analyzing, reading, and taking courses. You put in all this time, yet the answer seems as elusive as oiled smoke (to borrow a phrase from one of Stephen King’s books).
The Answer is to See the Truth
You don’t have to fit every single interest into one business. You can start with a few things, and take action.
Leave a few passions as side hobbies.
Nowhere does it say that you have to do fit all of your passions into one business.
At this point you might say, “But if I don’t, bad things will happen.”
How can you be so sure of that? It’s just a thought. A thought you choose to believe in.
The truth is that you’re already stuck. “Bad things” are already happening.
So why not open your mind, and try something new?
How to Get Started with Your Passion Business
Instead of asking how you can fit your interests into a neat package, ask yourself: How can I help?
It’s a simple question that gets you out of your own head.
The spotlight is no longer on you, but on the people you can be of service to.
It doesn’t matter if you aren’t the best in the world. What matters is that you start with what you know.
And Remember to Slow Down
Have you noticed that when you stop pushing and forcing, ideas naturally emerge?
That’s because it’s not your job to come up with ideas. It’s not your job to figure this out.
Ideas come to us when we get out of the way, when we stop over-thinking and over-analyzing. How do I know? Look at your own life. Where, and when, do you get your best ideas?
I seem to get my ideas when I’m taking a walk, meditating, playing with my kids, sitting in the sauna, or reading a book.
Solutions appear when I allow my mind to clear. When I make space for my inner wisdom to come through.
You Are Not the Driver
As Joseph Campbell once said:
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
It’s not your job to steer your life. You are not the driver, you are the vehicle. You are here to experience life.
The only thing you have to do is start with what you have.
You know a path isn’t for you because you can’t take action on it. So if you can’t figure out how to fit all of your passion into one business, stop trying. Do what you can with what you have.
Let your business evolve organically.
Let it start small.
And remember to ask: How can I help?
Cheers from Finland,
Henri
P.S. Still confused? Check out my popular book Follow Your Heart: 21 Days to a Happier, More Fulfilling Life for more on how to make sure you’re on the right path in life. (This is an affiliate link. I get a small piece of any purchase made at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
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Awesome Post Henri 🙂 As always 🙂 Thank you for being so relentless in helping people to do what they love. By reading from you I see how this same quality comes alive in me. I more and more focus on what is most important, most impactful right now. I contribute this to a great deal to your support trough these articles, your books, your course, audios and personal responses. I learn a lot from you and I am so happy to have had the luck to came across this site. Otherwise it would have provably taken me much longer to do what I love to do. You are of great service to me and all Henri.
PS: Do you live in Sweden at the moment?
Thanks Julien!
I currently live in Finland, but I’m right on the border, so my hometown (in Sweden) is a 5 minute drive away.
Very helpful as always Henri. Thank you. You write English very well for a Scandinavian. Congratulations. Your posts are well written, informative, relaxed and always helpful. Much appreciated.
Why thank you kindly. Your comments are appreciated 🙂
Hey Henri. I really feel fortunate to have come across your blog – in all that noise you truly stand out. Your honesty and simplicity are refreshing. Thank you so much for sharing all the invaluable advice! Keep going strong! Mateja
I shall keep on going. Thanks Mateja!
Beautifully written!
In my pursuit to get things done and start my business asap, I tend to spread myself too thinly. Thanks for the reminder to slow down 🙂
Yes. We tend to be in a hurry all the time. But there’s no rush. The only rush that exists is the one in our head.
Perhaps you could consider writing a post about this ‘rush that exists in our head’. Why are we so wound up?
It was a major revelation when when overseas to Bali that not all cultures behave like this. Some prefer to work calmly, slowly, pouring love into what they do. Hurry is a deception.
Hey Henri,
love the metapher of driving life like a car.
There are just so many things we can’t influence that we really need to let go of the thought that we’re in control. We’re simply not, we can just do our best to reach our goals – regardless how (in honest ways of course).
Somewhere I read a statement that went like “We can’t even say who’s winning a soccer match, and that’s just 90 minutes with 22 players and one ball. How shall we control what’s happening in our future?”. That really resonated with me and helped me to focus on my goals only and walk the way that life lays out for me.
Cheers,
Jan
I like the soccer metaphor. Never heard it put like that before.
Hey Henri,
Good stuff as always, however I have an issue with your main point. I don’t believe that ideas emerge organically. If they did, everyone would be living their dreams and passions. People are lazy and use as little brain power as possible and the last thing they are doing is opening their minds for “wisdom” to flow into it. They are too busy watching Big Brother and The Biggest Loser to be available for ideas.
I know this sounds cynical and I do believe all people have the ability to create great things, but it takes work. A lot of work. I have to force myself to take time away from everyday life and free my mind up. I do find motivation in random things/events/places/people but this is what I do for a living.
I can see your points for sure, and it’s hard to argue with Joseph Campbell but I believe that we are indeed the driver and not the car..
Hey Steve!
Not cynical at all. You’re simply sharing what is true for you, which I respect.
Actually, Henri, this proves your point. Most people are too distracted to hear the voice of the heart. Going slow and waiting for flow does not mean not working or being lazy either!
Exactly.
You can run, but you can be still inside. You can sit, but you can be going a million miles a second inside your head.
This is more about mentally being present with what you’re doing. It has nothing to do with going fast in the outside world, and everything to do with what goes on inside.
The major take away that I get here is: take massive action! good post!
Good takeaway 😉
Very good article, I found that allowing your ideas to grow organically is very important, because as you said; we have created this path in our mind for our business with all the information we know, and this path might not even be possible. The biggest problem here for myself is that I assumed I had all the information I needed, when really I can learn most of it along the way
Well put, Theo. Most of us create arbitrary expectations, and then we wonder why we end up disappointed. A big part of success is staying open to the opportunities that come your way.
Hi Henri!
I love writing, but I also want to become a doctor because medicine seems very interesting to me. I often wonder how I will be able to do both.
This helps though. I will just focus on serving people, and ultimately that will help me live the most satisfying and meaningful life.
Thanks for sharing this!
Cheers,
Nelu
Hi, Nelu!
Have you ever considered being a health writer? You could use the knowledge you have now, or further your knowledge through school. Then you could write for other blogs, websites, or magazines (or perhaps start one of your own), and discuss ways that others can improve their health and wellness. This way, you can help people – but through your writing. Just a thought 😉
I wish you all the best on your journey to help others!
This post is a blessing – I thank you for writing it! I have been stuck for quite some time now trying to figure things out or cram all the interests in one blog. Your post truly brings clarity. Thank You!
Dear Henri
I have taken my passion and turned it to work how ever I don’t yet see enough work or money to see me ok and I can’t help but feel I maybe on the wrong path. And still I keep going. What keeps me going is the feeling is not the truth, I can’t foresee into the future so I am compassionate to my self and find ways to love what I do and the clients I already have.
I make time for the people I have in my life right now. I am present with the moment. With this comes wisdom to know what to do. Recently I lost one of my clients with no notice I didn’t have enough work and I found this to be scary especially as I was relying on the income and I’ve become aware that work is constantly changing and the challenge isn’t to keep a job but to find a way to let go of expectations and then let it go and if moving on to a different job, so be it and move on to a better job.
This works for me especially since I get to experience new things meet new people and learn new skills. I found that there is a way no matter how much I feel as though I am going nowhere. By having many passions and ideas I can let them come into fruition by letting work flow whatever the circumstance, that it is not because I am not allowing it, it’s because I am not controlling the outcome in any job and the unknown is scary sometimes but the unknown is like an adventure 🙂
That’s a great way to look at it!
Succinctly put! It’s like you say…when we force the issue, it’s almost like it pushes back at us.
Thanks for bringing this to top of mind awareness!
Again. Henri you hit another issue I have been struggling with on the head you must be listening to my brain !:D
I have been stuck in a loop trying to restart after leaaving a vocation Ive had for decades. I have too many? ideas and am stalled at the starting gate.
As stated your post helps me realise Im in my own way and lthough not working I am not devoting fair time to hear what my brain is probably screaming at me by now.
Thanks for you gentle clarity its truly a big help.
PS to the chap who is struggling to get enough clients. A golden rule I have used is always spend at least 1 day per week on cold calling, asking existing clients for referrals and generally taking action to seek new clients out. This keeps you tuned and able to do this often pleasurable task which most fear.
Thanks Henri. Wonderful article just when I was thinking about where to focus for 2020 with many ‘balls up in the air’ at present. Reminder that by asking myself what can I do immediately to help others, however small it is will help the right ‘ball to drop’.