Combining Passion, Purpose, and Play for More Profitability
Have you ever felt disconnected from the joy that led you to start your business? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. In 2024, I hit severe burnout that led to a full-blown mental health crisis. I had followed all the “shoulds” in my business, putting my team first, working constantly, and pushing myself to exhaustion. Eventually, I had nothing left to give. After experiencing hypomanic episodes, I knew I had to step away. I took six months off to rediscover what made me feel like myself again.
That time off led to a huge realization: Joy isn’t just something nice to have in business—it’s a strategy. When I decided to step back into the business world as a coach, I knew I had to do things differently. I had to build a business that felt sustainable, fulfilling, and joyful. That’s when I developed the Joy-First Business Model, a framework that combines passion, purpose, and play to create a more profitable and fulfilling business.
The Three Pillars of The Joy-First Business Model
The Joy-First Business Model is built on three key pillars:
- Passion: Doing work that lights you up.
- Purpose: Making an impact in a way that feels meaningful.
- Play: Infusing creativity and enjoyment to keep your business sustainable.
When you integrate these three elements, you don’t just have more fun—you also attract more aligned clients, create better work, and make more money. Let’s talk about how you can apply these principles to the three main areas of your business: Strategy, Systems, and Marketing.
Strategy: Building a Business That Feeds Your Joy
Your business should work for you, not the other way around. Joy isn’t just a feeling; it’s a strategy that leads to sustainability, creativity, and success.
Passion in Your Strategy: Do More of What Lights You Up
Audit your services and offerings: Which ones excite you? Which ones drain you? Shift toward the work that fuels you and away from what feels like a slog. This might mean letting go of certain offers, raising prices to focus on premium services, or simply spending more time on what brings you energy.
I highly recommend The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, which talks about operating in your zone of genius—the work that feels natural, joyful, and deeply fulfilling. Aligning your business with your passions will bring more ease and energy into your day-to-day work.
Purpose in Your Strategy: Build a Business That Feels Meaningful
Get crystal clear on your why. Why did you start this business? Who do you want to help? What kind of impact do you want to create? Once you define this, align your offers with that mission. Choose services that not only bring in revenue but also create the kind of change you want to see in the world.
Setting boundaries is also essential. Say no to work that doesn’t align with your deeper purpose. It might feel scary at first, especially if it means turning down money, but I truly believe that when you say no to something misaligned, you create space for something even better.
Play in Your Strategy: Make Room for Experimentation
Business should be fun. Give yourself permission to try new things without pressure. Whether that means experimenting with a new offer, collaborating with someone new, or launching a passion project, find ways to make space for creativity.
For example, I’ve started doing free monthly workshops just to explore what lights me up. I don’t overthink it—I simply show up and teach about topics I love. It’s become a place in my business where I can play without rigid expectations, and that creativity spills over into everything else.
Systems: Streamlining for Ease and Joy
Burnout is not the price of success. Your business systems should support your well-being, not drain it. Here’s how you can integrate passion, purpose, and play into your operations.
Passion in Your Systems: Do More of What You Love, Less of What You Hate
Take a hard look at your daily tasks. What sucks the joy out of your day? If possible, eliminate, automate, or delegate those tasks. Use tech tools, hire support, or batch your work in a way that feels more aligned with your energy.
If there are things you have to do but don’t enjoy, find ways to make them more fun. Listen to your favorite music, do a coworking session, or reward yourself with a treat after completing them.
Purpose in Your Systems: Build a Business That Supports Your Mission
Your systems should reflect your values and make your work easier. Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) so you don’t waste energy reinventing the wheel. Align your pricing with your impact—charge what allows you to sustain and grow your mission.
Play in Your Systems: Make Your Workflow More Fun
Choose tools that work for your brain, not just what’s trendy. If you love visuals, try using Miro or Notion. If you enjoy gamification, create a reward system for completing tasks. Add personal touches to your emails, proposals, and client gifts—maybe even use GIFs like ShowIt’s customer support team does! Find ways to make your systems feel less rigid and more fun.
Marketing: Attracting Clients Who Align With Your Energy
Your marketing should feel exciting, aligned, and effortless—not like a chore.
Passion in Your Marketing: Promote in a Way That Feels Good
If you hate Instagram but love email marketing, prioritize email marketing. If you enjoy creating long-form content, start a blog or podcast. And if you love video, lean into Reels or YouTube. Choose platforms and strategies that feel natural to you.
Purpose in Your Marketing: Share What Matters Most to You
Talk about the things that excite you—not just what you think you should post about. Trends come and go, but authenticity always resonates. If a popular trend doesn’t feel aligned, skip it. Instead, focus on content that reflects your values and mission.
Play in Your Marketing: Keep It Fun and Creative
Marketing doesn’t have to be stiff and formulaic. Experiment with different styles, try new messaging, and have fun with it. Maybe that means sharing behind-the-scenes content, creating memes, or using storytelling in your captions. The more you enjoy your marketing, the more your audience will too.
Build a Business That Feels Like You
At the end of the day, success isn’t just about hitting revenue goals—it’s about building a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and joyful. The Joy-First Business Model isn’t just about feeling good; it’s a strategic approach that leads to more sustainability, creativity, and profitability.
By prioritizing passion, purpose, and play in your strategy, systems, and marketing, you create a business that not only supports your financial goals but also nourishes your creativity and well-being.
So, ask yourself: How can I bring more joy into my business today? Let go of the shoulds, embrace what excites you, and watch your business flourish.
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