There are some people who can work at any business – whether selling doughnuts or raincoats – and remain passionate. These people are often passionate about business itself so it doesn’t really matter what they’re selling; what matters is the thrill and chase of building a business.

However, for many of us, the trick to running a successful business is to be passionate about what we do. Here are a few tips to help you build a business you are passionate about.

#1 Know your “why” – Early on in your business, write out a mission statement. While these statements can seem stuffy and old-fashioned, it really does make sense to take the time to write one out. A successful, passionate business owner will be able to state what they do and why they do it in a few short sentences.

Take a little time to think about why you want to do what you’re doing. What is your end goal? Is it more money? Is it freedom or a sense of achievement? Is it to help others, or all of the above?

Defining your why is your first step to building a passionate, thriving business.

#2 What do you love to do? – If you’re in the planning stages of business, it’s a good time to think about what you love to do. Can your passion be your business? Absolutely! Barry Levenson of the Mustard Museum loved mustard and he turned that into a million-dollar business he is very passionate about. And it shows.

When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s contagious, and this leads to success.

And keep in mind that something that may not seem like a business pursuit at first can indeed be turned into a business. Once you have an idea, research it fully and make a plan to ensure it will be a success.

#3 Stay focused – Even when we build a business around passion, we will inevitably have tough days. Days when nothing seems to go right or your motivation takes a nose dive. Don’t mistake these feelings for lack of passion; it can simply mean you’re having a bad day – we all have them.

Stay focused on your end goal and accept that no one person can feel passionate and zestful all the time. By being realistic and keeping your end goals in mind, you stand a better chance of remaining passionate and motivated about your business.