“If you’re not passionate, you don’t do a good job.”
Ruth Heine, former owner, Custom Color Service

            Passion and creativity often go hand in hand. You can do the same things for many years and not get burned out when you challenge yourself to be creative in the way you grow your business, stay on top of technology and find new ways to express your personality and interests. Ruth Heine expanded her vision of what she could do with her photographic abilities to keep her interest in her job alive with the added bonus of developing her passion.

            Ruth learned the art of photography from an old-line portrait company. After ten years there she decided she was feeling creatively stifled and wanted to strike out on her own. She knew she was good at taking pictures, so she turned to the photo-finishing end of the business and her interest in business expanded. “I like control from start to finish—take the photographs, develop the film, set the picture on paper and do the presentation. Over time the technical end became more satisfying than the photo shoot. I enjoy using different temperatures from what’s recommended by the film manufacturers. Sometimes I vary the timing or the paper I use. I enjoy the whole process, from meeting the client, listening to his needs, coming up with a variety of ideas and executing the project. I’m passionate about every single aspect. If you’re not passionate you don’t do a good job.”

            Ruth had decided to refocus the direction of her career and to set new creative challenges. She wanted to keep her work fresh and engaging. She had reached an age where she had experienced a lot about photography and needed more from her work to feel satisfied. She said, “I was at the stage where I had done it, and knew I was good at it. I needed a new challenge, so I took a travel agent's course. For four years I didn’t take my camera when I traveled, because I needed a break from my profession. But I saw that what I was doing would evolve into something new and challenging. I planned to combine my love for travel and my photography.”

            Part of the joy of life is learning new things, which can be frustrating sometimes, but rewarding when mastered. Ruth is one example of someone who found her passion by doing things, learning new skills and combining the best of what she knows. Some people feel they should know what they feel passionate about without challenging themselves; and when they can’t identify their passion they feel discouraged. Passion develops from trying many things. Looking at things creatively, from different angles and perspectives, and taking physical or virtual classes, help you challenge yourself to take what you already do and know to a new more passionate level.

Develop your passion by:

·         Expect to “develop” your passion rather than “find” it

·         Challenge yourself to learn new skills

·         Stay curious about new technology that expands what you already do

·         Combine what you know with something new

·         Say “yes” to opportunities to go new places and try new things

·         Have fun with what you do