Think about an older person that you know, one you would describe as youthful. What\u2019s the distinguishing characteristic of this lively elder? I\u2019m guessing that curiosity about anything and everything is what stands out.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the same quality that makes for successful entrepreneurship. We need to be curious about our own industry, of course, but we need to be equally curious about things that seem to have no direct bearing on what we\u2019re up to. After all, the world is full of people who are crazy about things we know nothing about\u00a0 and discovering what they love can make our lives richer.<\/p>\n
One Thanksgiving, I had dinner with a group of relatives I didn\u2019t know very well. The sister of the hostess sat next to me at dinner and the moment she sat down announced, \u201cI want to have my own business.\u201d I asked her if she knew what she wanted to do and she lit right up. \u201cI love doing beadwork. I come home from my job and go right to my project room and bead all night,\u201d she told me. The moment dinner was over, she whipped out her beads and spent the afternoon making jewelry. It was fascinating to watch her work and her joy was visible.<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, my cousin Ray came over to visit with me. Ray has been a farmer his entire life raising corn and soybeans. A few years ago, he turned several acres of his farm into vineyards\u2014an unusual crop in Minnesota. In his second year of production, his crop outperformed all expectations. He was so excited about this new aspect of his business and had a list of ideas for building it. I couldn\u2019t wait to return in the summer to see his vines.<\/p>\n
Even though I may never take up beading or growing grapes myself, being with these enthusiastic folks who were eager to bring their ideas to life was not only fun, their creative energy was downright contagious. I spent my long drive home stopping to write down ideas for my own business.<\/p>\n
British author C.S. Lewis obviously understood the Idea Virus. He said, \u201cGood things as well as bad are caught by a kind of infection. If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire; if you want to get wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, peace eternal life, you must get close to, or\u00a0 even into\u00a0 the thing that has them. They are a great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very center of reality.\u00a0 If you are close to it, the spray will wet you ; if you are not, you will remain dry.\u201d<\/p>\n
$100 Hour:<\/strong> Find a way to get paid to do something you usually pay to do. Love dining out? Sign up to be a mystery diner and enjoy dinner out in exchange for evaluating the service, food, etc. Love the symphony? Volunteer to be an usher. There are endless possibilities if you are willing to investigate.<\/p>\n