Why 20 Minutes a Day Could Change Your Life—and Your Bottom Line
Yesterday, I had the chance to speak to my peers at NEPPA's Winter Expo. It was a packed room with about 40 people, and the title of my talk was How Passion Projects Can Help Improve Your Bottom Line. It was the first time I’d given this particular talk, and as always, I started with my usual pre-talk routine: a few jumping jacks and a short meditation session. But even with my routine, the nerves were still there.
And then came the introduction.
“Every time someone reads my bio in front of a group, no matter the size, I’m absolutely humbled," I told the room after Lisa Fosdick’s kind words. As I listened to her describe my career and accomplishments, I thought, Wow, that’s pretty impressive.
It’s funny how little credit we give ourselves—even when we need it most. Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that acknowledging our success equates to arrogance. But does it?
Two Nervous Moments: Mine and My Daughter’s
As I was presenting at NEPPA, my daughter Erin was experiencing her first professional interview process. A senior at Fairfield University, Erin will begin student teaching in the fall while earning her Master’s in Elementary Education.
Both of us were nervous. Only I didn’t share that with her. Instead, I gave her advice:
Show up early.
Show enthusiasm with every answer.
Be authentic—which, I reminded her, she always is.
Be yourself, let your passion shine through, and smile.
Lastly, I said, You have nothing to lose. There will be plenty of opportunities, so no need to worry about nailing this one.
Simple, right? Only we both know it’s not so simple in practice.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
In my Passion Produces Profits talk, I shared similar advice with the audience about starting a passion project:
Set clear, specific goals. Instead of saying, "I want to learn Italian," say, "I will learn 50 Italian words in three months." The difference is subtle yet powerful.
Time block your passion project. Dedicate 20 minutes a day during the workday to your passion. Treat it like an unmissable appointment.
I reminded them, “Every time you say yes to something else, you’re saying no to yourself.” And when someone says they “just don’t have time,” I call BS.
We all waste time during the day—scrolling, responding to unimportant emails, or getting distracted. I’m guilty of it, too. But when I was writing Ten Days With Dad, I would reward myself: If I get my five must-dos done by noon, I can write for an hour after lunch.
It worked. I got my work done and spent time on what I loved.
The result? The year I published my second book, 2023, was the most successful year of my career.
The Connection Between Passion and Profit
After the talk, I sat with a few friends who had been in the audience. One said, “You know, in the fall, I had my most successful quarter when I was coaching football. I came in early and left early, but I ensured everything was done before leaving for practice.”
That wasn’t the only story I heard. Others shared how their passion projects had indirectly boosted their business success.
And that’s the thing: Passion projects aren’t distractions—they’re investments in yourself.
Here’s why:
They fuel creativity and innovation. Working on something you genuinely love helps reset your mind, allowing you to think more clearly and approach problems at work with fresh ideas.
They reduce burnout. When you have a meaningful outlet, work feels less overwhelming.
They improve focus. Spending even 20 minutes a day on a passion project can recharge your brain, helping you return to work energized.
They bring joy and fulfillment. Success doesn’t guarantee happiness, but happiness almost always leads to success.
I compared it to coming back from vacation. You know that recharged, refreshed feeling? You can feel that way every day when you spend a little time doing something you love.
What’s Your Passion Project?
Starting a passion project doesn’t mean overhauling your life or taking on something massive. Start small. Find something that excites you, even for 20 minutes a day.
Because here’s the truth: You’re not just leaving a legacy—you’re living one. (Subtle plug for my new book with Josh Peach, coming March 13.)
Don’t wait for a life-altering experience to make changes to your life or find inspiration. Do it now, while you can enjoy it—and see how it enhances your bottom line. It’s that simple.
See you next week.
Mark