Passion and purpose are the common denominators shared by the happiest, wealthiest and most successful people on this planet. Bill Gates is passionate about making health care available around the world. Oprah Winfrey is passionate about making education available around the world. Martin Luther King was passionate about making freedom available around the world. These lasting legacies of clinics, schools and human rights stem from the vision of people just like you and me. What sets them apart from most of us is the clarity and power of their passion and purpose. These successful people knew what they wanted to accomplish and felt passionate about making a difference in the world. They grew their purpose as their successes grew. They created the momentum required to change the world by focusing and acting daily on what they could uniquely offer. Businessman, TV celebrity and preacher, they had their eye on a bigger prize, that would change the lives of many. What is your passion and purpose? Perhaps you’ve been sidetracked by the efforts and distractions of daily life in the 21st century. Getting through the day, acquiring homes and cars, preparing for our next vacation or retirement, checking e-mail and watching TV can fill our hours. When we fill our days with these efforts and distractions it is easy to feel dissatisfied. This feeling that something is missing from our lives is a gentle nudge that there is more to experience. Once we have secured safety and stability for our loved ones and ourselves it is time to address that place in our being that wants to be satisfied through purpose, which gives meaning to our lives. We don’t have to create world peace, end crippling disease, or educate the continent of Africa for our interests to have value. What do you most enjoy thinking about? What do you do for pleasure? What were your passions as a kid? What makes you lose track of time and feel invigorated by when you are involved? What we are most passionate about points directly to our unique purpose in life. Passion and purpose do not need to be global to be powerful, but to be profitable; they must contribute to the experience of others. David is passionate about connecting and relating to people. He’s making big profits in real estate. People are enthusiastic about doing business with him and referring their friends to him because they know he is passionate about their successful participation in the American dream. His simple website makes it easy for prospects to get to know him and for him to educate his clients. Kathleen and Mark are passionate about their art. They are gaining profitable momentum as they apply their craft to making beautiful bonsai pots for the thousands of people worldwide that are passionate about the art of growing miniature trees. A simple website and a smart marketing blueprint allows them the freedom to pursue their art instead of a paycheck. Peg is a techie and always has been. She enjoys tinkering and has given it purpose. She maintains my computers and dozens of others from hundreds of miles away. She gets satisfaction and she profits from an interest in knowing how things work. Having a website lets people all over North America take advantage of her remote services. Turning Passion and Purpose Into Profit Whether your joy comes from serving people, creating art or applying technical information, you can turn your interests into your work by recognizing that by sharing it you can improve the quality of living for yourself and others. You can turn your purpose into profit by sharing it worldwide. There may not be many local people interested in model trains, carnival secrets, or the fine art of teaching your dog to count to ten, but with the ability to reach out and market to the world, there are sure to be others who share in or would benefit from your interests and knowledge. Imagine your daily delights if you were making money doing what you love! Pick your own hours, pick your location, pick your passion. There has never been a time before where you could instantly reach around the world and connect with others so easily. There has never before been such an opportunity to build a business out of thin air and create a connection worldwide with others who want to know what you know. It takes a little courage, a little know how and a desire to focus your time and energy on what is important to you. Imagine what your life would feel like if you were making a prosperous livelihood doing what you love. Is now the time to take action? Kristin S. Kopp Prosperity Coach