So, What Do You Do? By Any Other Name

By Walt F.J. Goodridge

Special to the Saipan Tribune
Originally published: August 12, 2009


The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!



Announcing: Walt’s PassionProfit Workshop Coming Soon! RSVP requested. Will you attend a PassionProfit and/or Writer’s workshop held at a soon-to-be-determined location (perhaps a school or Multi-Purpose Center) if held on a Saturday morning 9-12 or Sunday afternoon 2-5 in August?

Please e-mail walt@passionprofit.com with the words “will attend.” Please indicate your preferred day and time in the e-mail. If enough people respond, it will happen!

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One of the challenges of being a passionpreneur is figuring out how to answer the question "So, what do you do?"

Many times, especially as we journey along the path of entrepreneurship, our roles, responsibilities and even our results are not easily described or defined. We often wear different hats as we build and promote our business. In my own journey, I’ve been a radio DJ, artist manager and record label owner (all at the same time), and then later a writer/speaker/Internet entrepreneur at another time. What do I tell people if they ask what I do for a living? At any given moment, I may be making money as all or none. What do I put on my business card? Do I limit myself and choose just one identity? Do I dilute myself and list all of the above?

A young lady I met at the Harlem Book Fair in New York asked that very question:

"What’s my definition now?"
she asked, eager to know
All my life I’ve had a role
But now I want to grow!

I want to share my story
and help others to succeed
I want to show a clearer path
where others may mislead

I want to travel ’round the world
and charge to give a speech
I want to make a ton of cash
while sitting on the beach

I want to do so many things
heck, even write a book!
But, give up all this education?
Man, how will it look?
And better yet, please tell me this
and help me think this through
In Heaven’s name what will I say
when asked, "what do you do?"

See, everything I’ve ever done
fit in such nice neat frames
What title will this new me have?
What role shall I proclaim?

(I see here that you wrote a book,
Mr. Passion Profit Man
It seems you’ve got some answers
so, please help me if you can)

AND SO, I REPLIED:

Well, tell them first you have no job
that concept’s just a myth
Tell them that you play a game
they’re not familiar with

Tell them that you’re just a light
your goal here’s just to shine
Tell them what you do on earth
no earthly words define

Tell them that your mission
is to be all you can be
Tell them, “Ask tomorrow
for today I’m being me!”

So, tell them anything you like
it matters not the name
What matters is to do the thing
that sparks your inner flame!

By any other name you’ll find
what stays the same is you
as Willie* says to thine own self
is whom you should be true!

What’s ultimately more important for your success, happiness and prosperity is not how you define yourself so as to fit neatly into other people’s constructs of reality, but simply that you discover and do the thing that is your passion.

(*Willie is Willie Shakespeare, of course!; Inspired by S. Stafford)

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Note: Fans and followers of the book Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan
may now find copies at Bookseller Bookstore in the Joe-Ten Plaza in Susupe or on Amazon.com. Hurry, there’s a limited supply!

Note: Ever wanted to direct your friends and family to a set of websites that said good things about Saipan? Do what I do: send them to www.bestofsaipan.com!

Note: For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!

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Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!