Part Three: How Passion Energizes Entrepreneurs
It has been called “perhaps the most observed phenomenon in the entrepreneurial process,” the same stuff which drives musicians and artists to greatness. In today’s installment of our work passion series, we highlight a Journal of Management piece about passion and entrepreneurship. Charles Y. Murnieks of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Elaine Mosakowski of Purdue University, and Melissa S. Cardon of Pace University 
published “Pathways of Passion: Identity Centrality, Passion, and Behavior Among Entrepreneurs” on February 3, 2012 in the Journal of Management’s OnlineFirst section. The abstract:
This study examines the role of passion among entrepreneurs. In particular, the authors integrate identity theory with the literature surrounding passion to investigate the possible pathways through which entrepreneurial identities might influence passion, as well as the relationship between entrepreneurs’ passion and behavior. Structural equation modeling of responses from 221 entrepreneurs suggests that passion rises and falls in connection with entrepreneurial identity centrality and, furthermore, that passion is associated with individual entrepreneurial behavior and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. This research provides a starting point for investigating the factors that may impact the development of entrepreneurs’ passion as well as the specific mechanisms through which passion energizes entrepreneurial action.
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I do talk about the importance of finding your passion – as a pre-requisite to finding work that you love.
I hope all of us have things in our life that we’re excited about – and those should help us identify our passion. Having a little life experience is a great help in uncovering our passion – because it’s not so much bringing something new into our life as it is uncovering what’s already there. Pablo Picasso said, “All children are artists, the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
I’ve always believed our identities and our passion to be closely linked. The more they align with each other, the more we are motivated and driven toward reaching a certain goal. As an entrepreneur, I know I’ve seen this in myself. I really come alive when the work I do is what I’m passionate about.
I totally agree with this. Just blogged about the dangers of not following your passion! Looking forward to the upcoming parts as well.