Are you passionate about your trade? For many of us, we grow into our areas of expertise. Often it will start with an interest in a topic. For example, my good friend Marnie is an amazing photographer, Crescendo Photography. I met Marnie at a Chamber of Commerce event. She had a great personality and I happened to be looking for a local photographer. There was something about the way she talked about photography that I immediately knew she had a passion for the trade. Four years later, she is part of my mini-mastermind group, a friend, and my photographer.

Sometimes we find our area of expertise purely by accident. My friend Dave Lindbeck at InStep Coaching started in the Financial Services industry. He noticed that a lot of his coworkers would come to him for advice about their career path as well as personal matters. Over time he realized he had a true gift for helping people and left the finance industry to become a business coach.

Laura Orsini is the editor of my book, Tiny Toes: A Couple’s Journey Through Infertility, Prematurity, and Depression. She was born with a natural talent for writing as she has an amazing way with words. She has a passion for helping authors too. She has expanded her business from editing to offering a full-service coaching program for new authors.

Back in high school I was required to complete an Accounting course in order to participate in the co-op program (a program where local businesses would hire high school students and the students would receive course credit). At first I really resisted taking the Accounting course. I almost didn’t participate in the program so that I wouldn’t have to take the class. However, I found that I loved the topic. I was so interested in the material that I asked the instructor if I could move at my own pace. She agreed. Half way through the first semester I started working from the next level textbook. When I entered college I knew my major was going to be Accounting. As a Freshman, I had to beg and plead to receive waivers to take classes that were reserved for Sophomore students.

Fifteen years later I am still working in the profession, albeit a bit differently than when I originally started. However, I have learned that it is more rewarding and easier to do what you are good at, but only when you enjoy it. There are those rare instances where you don’t like doing what you are good at. If that is the case, keep searching. Consider taking a passion test. I did. I found out that my real passion was not at all what I thought it might be. MamaRed can help you.

When you do what you are good at things just happen. Take Peter Shankman for example, he started HARO not really knowing where it would lead. Today HARO is generating more than $1MM in advertising revenue. Mr. Shankman is a social networking expert. My guess is that he is doing not only what he is good at, but what he loves to do.

What are you passionate about?