by Kenny Straus and Patrick Sipp of Flying Pig Adventures
Nelson Mandela said, “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Some of us fantasize about quitting our jobs to turn our passion into something big. When we started Flying Pig Adventures, our passion was the outdoors — getting people back outside exploring by horseback, paddle and saddle, or Yellowstone WhiteWater Rafting. We took the leap and built our way to our “something big.”
But too many of us can’t even fathom that something we’re passionate about can be cultivated into a purpose for our lives. Many businesses, small and great, budded through someone’s passion. So how’d they do it?
Below are five steps to turn your passion into authentic ideas.
1. Start Small.
When you find your passion, you want to work on it as soon as possible. But as the saying goes, “haste makes waste,” so start small and create a proper plan. Starting something new, means you’re learning new and important things.
Sticking to a plan helps minimize mistakes. Whatever you wish to accomplish, try it on a smaller scale first, always opting for scalable ideas. When you see good testing results, start working to expand your business — including financial investment.
2. Never Quit Your Day Job.
Sounds contradicting? If you are wondering about funding a business without that 8-5, understand your day job provides safety and security. Thinking of quitting your day job might be tempting when your brain is swarming with ideas, but it’s never a reasonable decision.
So when is it safe to leave your job? When your new venture generates at least 75% of your current salary as a sustainable growing cash flow.
3. Break Down Your Goals.
When goals are big, they seem impossible to achieve. Consider breaking down your big plan into smaller, actionable steps with the future in mind. Try to schedule the tasks when you create the bite-sized goals. It’s a practical way to focus on the process and not on the outcome.
Developing a habit of completing your task following the schedule can help you accomplish your goals faster than you think.
4. Rely On Others When Necessary.
Concentrating on your strengths will keep you happy, healthy, energetic, and confident. For other tasks, however, consider outsourcing them to grow faster. It saves you time and hard work that you need to put into improving your weaknesses.
5. Think Futuristically.
What will your company look like in the next three years? Consider your company’s future goals after two to three years. With a clear vision of the future, you can position your product and services on the right path today.
Suppose you want higher pricing in the future. In that case, you have to work on your services and products to eventually become that high-quality service that your clients will buy at a higher price.
Key Takeaways.
- Test your business at a small scale to avoid the risk.
- Don’t leave your job till your company generates consistent cash flow.
- Break down your goals into smaller, more achievable steps.
- Focus on your strengths and take help from others when needed.
- Picture your business in the future to plan ahead of the time.
To Wrap It Up.
Turning your passion into a sustainable business isn’t easy and it will not happen overnight. However, you can make the necessary effort that your business deserves if you are highly passionate and well-prepared. So stay passionate, plan ahead, and implement strategically to see your passion come to life.
Kenny Straus and Patrick Sipp of Flying Pig Adventures have been getting their clients back into the outdoors, where the spray of the river, the warmth of the sunshine, and the immensity of the world around them is clear and present. Kenny and Patrick are both family men who have turned their passion for the outdoors into a gateway for their guests to experience an adventure unlike anything else.
