Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
I remember it like it was yesterday. The date was January 2, 2002. I peered through the window of my airplane, taking in the sights
Over the past 30 years, I have started and been involved in many businesses. I get asked a lot about the birth of M & E Painting and if I turned my passion for painting into a business. I always laugh because I hate painting and personally am not very good at it. Actually, I am not passionate about painting at all. I am passionate about the art and practice of business itself. Over the years of growing businesses, I have always been intrigued and inspired by the process of taking an idea, launching it, and watching it grow. For me, business in itself has always been a passion, not necessarily the product or service the business offers. Recently, however, this changed.
In 2002, I spent my spring semester studying abroad in Spain. I absolutely fell in love with the country. I fell in love with the culture, cuisine, coffee, history, scenery, and people. I have ventured back to Spain dozens of times over the past 20 years to enjoy all Spain has to offer. Over my years of traveling there, I always found ways to share Spanish culture with others. I bring back coffee and treats, and many Sundays cook paella to share with others. As I shared Spanish culture with others stateside, I began to dream of sharing Spain with others in Spain; and for many years have dreamed of bringing others to Spain with me so I can share my passion and love for Spain firsthand.
Another big passion of mine is leadership. Ten years ago I realized I was awful at leadership. I realized my company was growing, but I was not. I realized that my company would only grow to the degree that I did, as well as to the degree that I invested in and poured into the leadership of others. For the last 10 years, I have immersed myself in leadership, just as I immersed myself in the country of Spain when I lived there in 2002. I spent countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars investing in my leadership and the leadership of others in my company.
These two passions fused in December of 2021 when I announced we would be launching our first ever Ultimate Immersion Experience in Spain I announced to the leadership teams from all of our companies that we would be taking them on a weeklong adventure filled with fun, sun, culture, cuisine, and history, experiencing Spain in a way that most people will never have the opportunity to. More importantly, we shared that attendees would be participating in adventures, challenges, and experiences that would push them out of their comfort zone, forcing them and inspiring them to grow in their leadership.
In March of 2022, 10 of us jumped on a plane, crossed the Atlantic, and had one of the most memorable, inspiring, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The Ultimate Immersion Experience was a success, and upon its completion, we decided it would continue as an annual event. This experience is the combination of two of my life’s biggest passions rolled into one, and these passions are now a business.
Now let’s talk about your passion project. Every business requires basic principles and fundamentals to operate, and so will your passion project. This week’s blog will not get into these basics. I encourage you to read about these basics, by clicking here
What I do want to share is a few tips and thoughts as you consider jumping into a passion project.
For more tips on how to grow your business and advance your leadership, click here to receive my free business and leadership tool kit.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The date was January 2, 2002. I peered through the window of my airplane, taking in the sights
One of the most magical moments of the Hike of a Lifetime on the Camino de Santiago was the fact that we completely unplugged from
When I set off on the Hike of a Lifetime on the Camino de Santiago, I never thought one of the lessons I would learn
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