WORKING WITH PASSION

Why do you get up each day?  To go to a 'job'?  To earn a paycheck?

To put your time in?  To 'work'?

I talked to two friends recently and was impressed with their passion for what they do.

Mayor Don Robart of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Bob Weinhardt,  Relationship Manager For Copier Sales, Inc.  As the Promotions Guy, I love my business but both of these local leaders encouraged me to be even more zealous for what I do.

Mayor told me he looks forward to each day to see what he can accomplish in his home town.  He feels it is an honor and a privilege to serve the people he has lived with all his life.  A six time winner of the mayoral election, he is on call 24/7 at the job he has held for 22 years.  "I don't see this as a job, it is definitely not drudgery but a passion I have."

He said, "I want my tombstone to read, 'Mayor was totally devoted to Cuyahoga Falls and had a passion to move the City forward.'"  I asked him what he would do if he wasn't Mayor.

"I don't know because I have never thought about it!" (Send him your comments at

mayor@cityofcf.com)

Bob Weinhardt has branded HIMSELF in the community as Toshiba Bob, after the copier he sells.  Over the past 15 years he has become the known entity in the office products industry,  He has a passion for what he does like few I have met.  He is devoted to his business.  But when I sat down with him recently he surprised me when he said, "My passion is not selling copiers.  My passion is making people smile.

When you can make a person smile it takes a load off of them, even for an instant, and brings a sense of euphoria to their soul.  Whether it is a compliment, a joke or a funny face, I can usually bring a smile to their face.  In turn it lifts my spirit to see them change their attitude."

Known as the 'Networking King', one of Bob's goals when he attends business functions is to meet new people and learn what their passion in life is.  (Send him your comments at  toshibabob@gocopypro.com)

Passion.  Fire.  Zeal.  As owner of my company, I confess, some days I have it and some days I don't.  I do know that the days I feel  an enthusiasm,  drive , and full speed ahead attitude, are days of rewarding success.

Here's to your PASSION!