Share your love of what you do
I love helping people improve their content creation skills. How about you?
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 218
Over the last 20 years or so we’ve learned to treats hobbies and passions as mere distractions—side hobbies to fill the gaps between work and responsibility.
But I’ve come to believe that the things we love doing—whether it’s tying flies for trout or restoring vintage cars—aren’t just personal indulgences. They’re vital threads in the fabric of a meaningful life.
And here’s the kicker: they’re even more vital when we share them.
Think about the last time someone’s eyes lit up because you showed them how to knead dough properly, or when you explained the difference between a dry fly and a wet fly (if you’re into those sorts of things, and lots of people are).
At some point in those sorts of personal interaction there comes a time when there’s a uniquely magic moment: the passing of a spark.
These moments are not just about teaching a skill; they’re about inviting someone into a world they might never have otherwise discovered. A sort of hidden, magical realm in which joy and knowledge, wisdom and curiosity meld together into a sort of wonderfully chaotic plasma of pleasure.
Passion is contagious
I’ve spent 15 years answering questions on the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that enthusiasm is infectious.
Whenever I’ve received an email form someone I’ve helped, their excitement doesn’t just belong to them—it reignites my love for the marketing and branding.
The same is true for any craft.
A seasoned woodworker showing a novice how to dovetail a joint isn’t just creating a better woodworker; they’re ensuring that the craft itself lives on.
Too often, we gate-keep our passions without realizing it.
We assume others won’t "get it," or we worry we’ll sound like fanatics.
But what if the opposite is true?
What if the people around us are secretly hungry to see someone unapologetically geek out over something?
The hidden value of "useless" skills
Society tends to prioritize productivity, so we downplay the things we do simply because we love them.
But consider this: the hat maker who spends hours hand-blocking felt isn’t just making a hat—they’re preserving a tradition, honing patience, and creating beauty.
The auto mechanic who restores old engines isn’t just fixing machines; they’re solving puzzles and keeping history alive.
When you share what you love, you’re not just passing along a skill. You’re offering someone a new way to see the world. You’re saying, "This thing brings me joy, and it might bring you joy too."
That’s a powerful gift.
So, how do you share it?
You don’t have to be an expert in anything. You might think you do, but you don’t. You just need to care enough about showing other people who are interested in the same things that interest you.
Here’s how to start:
Talk about it openly. No disclaimers, no "It’s kinda weird, but…" Just share what excites you.
Invite someone in. Let them watch, try, or even fail alongside you.
Celebrate the small wins. The first time someone cooks a meal without burning it, or catches a fish, or grows a tomato—that’s a victory worth cheering and championing.
At the end of the day, the things we love doing aren’t just hobbies. They’re stories waiting to be told, skills waiting to be passed down, and joys waiting to be shared, celebrated, and multiplied.
For the last few years, my wife and I have tried growing tomatoes in pots on the balcony of our 8th floor apartment. The space gets all the afternoon sun and plants in pots tend to dry out rather quickly in the warmer months. Last year we grew six tomatoes. Six!
I was overcome with glee!
Back in 2011, while living in Princeton and working at the university, we grew cherry tomatoes on our balcony and pulled in a bumper harvest of one tomato: a sad though glowing red little thing and yet, it brought us TREMENDOUS joy because for both of us, the act of growing something reconnected us to our dads, both of whom are no longer with us, but each of whom was a keen gardener, an ocean apart.
So, whether you’re into fly fishing, baking sourdough, or rebuilding carburetors—don’t keep it to yourself. Share your passion.
The world could use a little more of whatever it is that you love. Dig it out and go and share it.
As always, thanks for reading.
—Gar
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree: MS Word: a love/hate relationship
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.