Before thinking about starting a business, you will need to ask yourself if you possess the inner fuel that is needed to progressively succeed with little or no mistakes at all. Anyone can start a business but to own a business, you will need to carve passion-fuelled goals and targets and support them with strategy and initiatives for execution. Then, you must carry out this strategy to make it work within the short, medium and long term. It might be worth noting that entrepreneurs go beyond the traditional 8 hours of work a day to be successful.
Passion is what drives and propels you; without it, you will not survive the turbulence associated with being an entrepreneur. Building a business will take a toll on you emotionally, mentally, and physically – passion is what keeps you from burning out. In Steve Jobs words, “People with passion can change the world for the better”
On the flip side, passion can be misplaced and misused, once it is not targeted at your intended venture or business for specific results. Advanced research has proven that 90% of start-ups fail because they do not unearth their true passion before commencing the business.
What is passion without a product, customer base or a supporting team? Every passionate Entrepreneur needs a product/service and customer base as well as a team of committed and like-minded people. Passion for an idea that does not solve a problem may lead you to invest your time and energy in the wrong space. A complete product or service is one that people are interested in and believe in. It is only then, that your passion will bring profit to you and your business. If your passion does not lead to financial growth of your start-up, you will fail. You have to recognize when your passion is misplaced. You need to weigh both passion and logic to make smart choices for your business.
Unkown to many, passion is to be developed. It is usually thought of as some intrinsic calling you either have or not. t is a frustrating way to think about passion if you are yet to discover your passions. However, as the author and financial expert Stefanie O’Connell puts it, “Passion is something you can find. If you want to find your life purpose, you have to leave your bubble”. Finding passion works the same way. Some people discover their passions early in life, but if you are yet to discover yours, you can still develop it by breaking out of your comfort zone and exploring different options. O’Connell again puts it this way: “Passion doesn’t arrive while waiting for inspiration to strike; it’s uncovered through action and work.”
Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers who wanted to prove that people didn’t need to compromise to drive electric – that electric vehicles can be better, quicker and more fun to drive than gasoline cars. Today, Tesla builds not only all-electric vehicles but also infinitely scalable clean energy generation and storage products. The founders of great companies like Telsa were not born with the instinct to start mega-companies. They had an underlying burning desire to solve problems. Start by reading about the world we live in, pay attention to your life, surround yourself with people who inspire you to grow, and be mindful of the opportunities you come across. If you follow and explore those that pique your interest, you may find yourself stumbling into your passion in the process. Passion in business is a great driving tool. It drives people to change and influence in a way nothing can. What are you passionate about, and how has it driven change in your life and in the lives of people around you
By:Ahmed Ibrahim
Acting Organization Development Manager Genser Energy Ghana Ltd.
