No, this post isn’t about organ donation - more about finding money in the pursuit of joy. Thursdays are Entrepreneur Days on this blog. Today is only the second in the series, so we’ll start with the very first move you need to make.

There are different ways to make money, some are quick in-and-outs, (clearing out your old junk and selling it to someone as treasure, for instance) and some are longer term. All entrepreneurial activity, though, starts with a good idea. So, what are the elements of a good idea?

If you’re an ideas person, you probably have a few business ideas every day. Maybe one or two could be good, even make some decent money. It’s obviously important to filter out the ones that won’t work for you. The most costly mistake I have ever made was to leave out the next step. Ask yourself this question - Would I enjoy the process of carrying out this idea? Would this make my heart sing? If the answer is no, you don’t immediately need to discard it. Perhaps you know someone who would enjoy it. Could you pass the idea on or even partner up with them, providing ideas and advice?

What if you aren’t the kind of person who churns out ideas every day? You still need to do something that makes your heart sing. Very few business ideas make money straight away and most of you will already have something that you do to earn money, so this is extra activity. Unless you enjoy the process, you probably won’t keep going and you won’t attract customers.

Think about the difference between receiving a service from someone that enjoys what they are doing and someone who doesn’t. This week, I went to the Chiropractor. The receptionist there is a pleasure to be around, she always remembers people’s names and has a laugh with every customer that comes into the squash club where the clinic is. Her job makes her heart sing and she passes that on to everyone else. Last week, I was served by a sullen barman. He was moaning about everything, being busy, having to work, the weather and his shoes. I couldn’t wait to get away. Sunshine and storm clouds, attraction and repulsion.

Doing what makes your heart sing, on its own, won’t make you any money. You need to put it together with what you’re good at and then provide a product or service to people who want to pay for it. Last week, in Childhood Money Lessons I suggested you could make money with the whole family, children included. Here are some simple exercises which will help narrow down what you could all do. It may be joint projects or you may each do your own thing.

What makes your heart sing? Discuss and then write down 10 things that you really love to do or be. Children will be much better at this than adults, who have generally forgotten all but one or two things they love doing. (Parents be warned - sleeping doesn’t count as one!) For children, it’s fine to include what they love to play as well as things they know about, like trading cards.

What are you good at? List at least 10 things. I know from experience, men are better at this than women who have usually been socialised into modesty - Ladies, it might be pretty, but it don’t pay the bills! For children, include in this the positive expression of anything they regularly get told off for. One of the most successful entrepreneurs I have ever known was always told off for having a ‘grasshopper mind’ and not sticking with one thing. Now he makes his considerable income from starting things and working with other people who keep the plates spinning.

Where do you feel comfortable and/or joyful? Who are the people you most love to be around? What environment inspires you? Who would you most love to serve? Find as many places as you can, don’t put limits on it for now.

Now spend time playing with different combinations and seeing how they fit together. This exercise should be lighthearted and fun. It can, however have a serious outcome. You’re never too young or too old to start this process. It may translate as; Designing a range of self-purchase jewellery for affluent women, writing about independent travel for gap-year students, importing interesting snacks for adventurous foodies or selling home-baked cookies at school. What does it look like for you and your family?