May 16 2008
How My Passion is Changing My Life
I’ve been thinking about this for a while because someone recently asked me why I became a Virtual Assistant, and the post on Dosh Dosh just brought it to the forefront so I thought I’d put it out there.
In his article, Maki talks about how, when you have passion for your business, things just seem to be easier. The motivation is there, the business is likely more successful and life is good. The problem with this, at least it was for me, is finding something that you can really be passionate about and allowing yourself to take the chance in following it.
For years I followed the safe path: corporate job, corporate hours, corporate stagnation. It was sucking the lifeblood out of me. Finally, I said enough. I wasn’t happy doing what I was doing and it was time to make a change. So, I quit my corporate job and founded Personal Finance 101.
Now THAT is something I had a passion for. Educating other young people about how to effectively manage their money. Not selling them expensive, useless products, but actually teaching them how to make good decisions. I loved it. It thrilled me. But there was a down side. The services I offer are ones that I actually have to be there to provide (though I am writing an Ebook to solve this issue) which keeps me from my true passion in life, which is travel.
So, I was on a quest. A quest to discover a way that I could travel and explore and learn about other cultures while also doing the financially responsible thing and saving money for the future. It took a while, but I think I’m there with my Virtual Assistant services. It allows me to do all of the things I love to do:
- I can set my own hours (so when I get my creative wave at 2 am I can ride it).
- I can work from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.
- I’m helping people. I’m helping them save money, time and effort and giving them the free time to do the things that they’re passionate about. THAT makes my day.
So, while it’s still early days, I’m excited about what I’m doing and the path that I’m on. The return on that excitement is a business which is growing at a pace I never imagined it could. It’s long hours, but it’s worth it because in the end, I’m going to get to do exactly what I want and follow where my passions take me.
So I ask you, dear reader: What is your passion and what are you doing to follow it? Leave a comment and let me know.
This is exactly the approach to advocate for why one should hire a Virtual Assistant. I absolutely agree that when pursuing something we are passionate about not only are we more productive, but it doesn’t seem like work at all.
Hi Amanda,
This is an interesting post, I run a few websites and they have to be about your passion there’s no question about that - if they weren’t I wouldn’t be able to do them!
1. My Full-Time-Blogger site, I know so many people that would love to be a full-time-blogger (myself included!), that I decided to chart some of the things I was doing to get there, progress has been a little slow though - due to my other sites (see below!).
2. My personal blog, this is just me rambling, ranting, finding things quirky and a good way of me emptying my head to make room for new things!
3. My favourite team, I have a news blog dedicated to my favourite sports team. I read all the news about them anyway it’s easy to write in another window at the same time.
4. Finally, I run a web hosting company. Woah I hear you say, that’s completely different - not at all! It became a passion of mine to provide good customer service at a great price as I was sick of what I received elsewhere!
All passions you see!
Kieron, the web hosting company doesn’t seem different at all. Your business should be your passion I think that’s what sets apart the really successful companies from the failures.
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Hi Amanda
I followed you from Maki’s blog as there was a link to your blog post there.
I wanted to wish you good luck on following your own groove.
I am inflicted with many passions!, none of which I feel I’m currently following with gusto. I, like you, quit my corporate job some years ago. Some months have been good. However, I’ve had times when I’ve had to go back to a 9-5 (such as now). I come back from work to do some more work (at home - freelance writing, planning for workshops, blogging). I’m tired, feel scattered and need a holiday.
I am happy for you - hope you get to travel for as long as your heart desires, hun!
take care…
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