The 10 P's of Business - PASSION

It's Sunday night. For some it's the last chance to squeeze the last drops of fun out of the weekend. For others, the feeling of dread is overcoming them. The dread of getting up another day to go to a job that they dislike or find boring. But for a select few - it is just another evening that they're spending with their family. They are not plagued with worry, loathing, dread, or anything else. Some might even be making a list of what they're going to work on come morning.

These select few people love their work. They love what they do. They do not have a "JOB" but instead, have a pursuit. A goal. A mission. They're on to something and they're excited about what they are "building." Whatever that goal is they are passionate about it.

The most successful people are passionate about life. They cannot wait to get to the next level. Whether it's in their personal life or career - those who have passion work harder, more often, and are the most successful people I know. But to them it's not work - it is FUN! Yes, I have been accused of "losing my mind" because I could not wait to get back to work. But I love my work because it's exciting, and fun, and I cannot wait to see what I can do next!

If you too think that I'm crazy then you are in the wrong business. It's time for you to start figuring out what drives that passion in you. You've heard it before: Find something you are passionate about and find a way to get into a career that encompasses that thing.

Think about it - if you hate your job then you go to work everyday and clock in and clock out. You do what is required of you and you leave. But.... if you are PASSIONATE about what you do then you are finding ways to improve, do better, and be better. That is the key to success in business and your personal life.

PASSION equals happiness. Happiness equals SUCCESS.

Innovation and Leadership

Innovation is a new way of doing things. For an organization it is creating or doing something that is outside of their comfort zone. it is taking chances, asking "why not?" or "what if?" It is finding a way to do it better, faster, cheaper, and more exciting than anyone else in the marketplace. This can be a product, service, design, or attitude.The first and most important guideline, I think, to be innovative is to have strong leadership.

It is hard to find a good leader within the company. Many people misconstrue leadership with management. This is very wrong. Management is being able to delegate to the get the job done. Leadership is acting, doing, and inspiring in such a way that people want to follow you. Leadership is a lifestyle. If you have to tell people that they SHOULD follow you or that you are a GOOD LEADER than you are not.People who are leaders are inspiring. They are exciting. They take chances. Others in the organization want to be them.

In order for an organization to be innovative they have to be that leader who stands out front and says "let's figure out, and if it doesn't work - blame me!" Because a leader draws strength off of mistakes. A leader knows that the only way to make it better is to make mistakes - lots and lots of them.The leader will stand out front of a crowd and say "Come on everybody - we can do this!" And everyone will get so excited that they will just say yes. Why? Because you have inspired them. You are willing to take the chance and push ahead, and they are excited to get on that road with you.

Confession time: I feel that I have not been a leader lately. I am finding myself turning into a manager - and I hate it. I am going to go back to the basics and figure out how to get my leader MO JO back. I will check back soon....