Dedication and Passion

     I got into a discussion tonight with a fellow coworker about managing a business to make money on the side of your career. It was started off by a discussion of the possibility of me opening and running an Orange Leaf later on in life. I believe that I won't, as my view of starting and owning a business is that I don't want to own a business that I wouldn't take part in as a customer. This means that I probably won't end up starting a fast-food restaurant or a hair-styling place - because I'm not passionate about them!

     For me, I don't want to start a business solely to make more money on the side, or to raise my status higher. I want to start a business where I have to force myself to let others take leadership and management over it because I'm just so passionate about it that I want to keep going and working there. This means that a ministry or a therapy business - an organization that reaches out to people and connects personally with them - is the best bet for what I will, should I ever, start a business.

     I look at it like I look at marriage: I want to marry my best friend - someone I want to keep going back to and hanging around. Therefore, when I start a business, it should be the business that I want to manage and I want to give my time to.

     Don't get involved with a company long-term that you're not passionate or interested in. For a short time, fine. Make money, live life, find a job more to your calling, and move on. But if you want to be fully satisfied with your career and feel like you aren't missing anything - if you want to live life without regrets about your career choices, then get involved with businesses that call out to your heart, not just your wallet. That means taking a pay cut or passing up a higher-ranking position for something you feel more passionately towards. But in the end, you'll be a happier person.

     Be dedicated to wherever you are serving now, and people will realize your worth to them. You want to make a difference in the world? Make a difference where you are now. Make an example by showing people what dedication and hard work is, and you will become a very successful person.

     Money fades, authority will fail, but only dedication will be fruitful.