Let your guard down ( relax )

　　Hit the book:

　　Passion

　　Relax

　　Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th century British Prime Minister, once said, "Man is only great when he acts from passion."

　　For today's aspiring entrepreneur, exploring avenues of creativity to find your passion is likely the quickest route to increase your chances of launching a successful business. Where to start? Here, five exercises to help you uncover your passion.

　　Exercise 1 - Revisit your childhood. What did you love to do?

　　"It's amazing how disconnected we become to the things that brought us the most joy in favor of what's practical," says Rob Levit, an Annapolis, Md.-based creativity expert, speaker and business consultant.

　　Levit suggests making a list of all the things you remember enjoying as a child. Would you enjoy that activity now? For example, Frank Lloyd Wright, America's greatest architect, played with wooden blocks all through childhood and perhaps well past it.

　　"Research shows that there is much to be discovered in play, even as adults," Levit says.

　　Revisit some of the positive activities, foods and events of childhood. Levit suggests asking yourself these questions to get started: What can be translated and added into your life now? How can those past experiences shape your career choices now?