Not everyone can (or wants to) be an entrepreneur. I get that. We’re a crazy, risk-taking, ADHD kinda group. In fact, statistically speaking, starting a company is one of the worst decisions you can make.

I was “born” into being an entrepreneur. Partly because my father had his own business (vending), but also partly because I haphazardly started my first company in college and was immediately hooked. It was entrepreneurship or bust for me from that point on.

I’ve written about entrepreneurship ad nauseum in the past (check out Entrepreneurial Thinking is the Key to Long Term Success and Two Traits Every Entrepreneur Needs), but the point of this post is not to try to convince you to become an entrepreneur.

The point of this post is to try to convince you to live like one.

What I find people are most searching for in their lives is passion. A sense of “am I doing something meaningful?” Of course I’m talking about people like myself, in that point of their lives where they’re married, maybe they have kids, and they’re starting to settle into their rhythm. The 20-year olds and younger, they’re still trying to figure out how to cram for their exams or swipe left, or in my case, the little humans living in my house who are focused on seemingly one thing and one thing only: how to get more screen time. Thanks, Disney+.

It seems to me the midlife crisis has changed over time. Instead of going out and buying a red sports car, people are looking inward and searching for more meaning in their lives. I can’t tell you how many of my friends who have been very successful in their corporate careers are getting close to 50 and wondering if its all been worth it.

Entrepreneurs, for all their faults, have one thing in spades: they feel like they’re doing something meaningful.

Something that gets them jumping out of bed each morning because they can’t wait to get back to work. Who else can say that about their…job?

I remember so clearly the day my wife pointed out to me that maybe on Sunday nights I shouldn’t start talking about how excited I was to go back to work on Monday morning. Because, you know, it would be nice if I acted like I enjoyed our weekends together*.

So, how, you ask, should someone who is not an entrepreneur start acting like one in real life? The answer is simple: Find Your Purpose!

Your personal purpose will give you the same passion and excitement that an entrepreneur has for their company. More so, even. You’ll suddenly feel like you’re making a difference. That you’re putting your stamp on this world and doing what you were meant to be doing.

I’m going to write more about how to find your personal purpose in upcoming posts, but here are a few things you can dive into if you’re interested:

• Read the book Start With Why
• Check out some of my previous posts about purpose
• Begin thinking about two things: what you’re exceptional at / what you love doing + the change you want to see in the world

Ever since I landed on my personal purpose — to have an out-sized, positive impact on the world — my life has been more fulfilling than ever. I’ve accomplished more and yet felt more energized. I want this for you, because the world is a better place when people are inspired and passionate about what they’re doing.

* Which of course I did, I just also liked going to work and building my first company, Spunlogic. I also needed some coaching on how to be a better husband back then…and now, if you have any tips :)