Finding the Sweet Spot: Where Deep Gladness Meets Deep Hunger

Finding the Sweet Spot: Where Deep Gladness Meets Deep Hunger

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Ever feel like you’re chasing success, but every milestone feels… off? You hit the revenue goals, check off the wins, yet something inside whispers, Is this it?

Entrepreneurship can be thrilling. But without a deeper connection to why you’re building, even the victories can feel hollow. That’s where Frederick Buechner’s wisdom comes in:

“Your vocation lies where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

In simpler terms, the work that energizes you the most—your deep gladness—has the most impact when it intersects with a real, urgent need in the world—its deep hunger.

This isn’t just a philosophical concept. It’s the foundation for building a business that thrives not just financially but emotionally. And let’s face it: when you’re putting in long hours, solving endless problems, and weathering the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, you need more than profit to keep you going. You need purpose.

Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs

We’ve all heard stories of entrepreneurs who “made it” but walked away because success left them empty. It’s not that they didn’t work hard or have great ideas—it’s that their work didn’t align with what truly lit them up inside. And I get it. It’s easy to get stuck chasing numbers, trends, or other people’s definitions of success.

But here’s what I’ve learned: when your deep gladness intersects with a real hunger in the world, you tap into a well of energy and purpose that carries you through the toughest days.

Think about those founders whose energy seems limitless. They radiate passion and purpose, even in the tough times. Chances are, they’ve found that intersection between what they love to do and what the world genuinely needs.

Here’s the truth: building a business takes more than grit. Without alignment between your joy and your market’s needs, burnout isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. But when you discover that overlap, your work becomes sustainable, meaningful, and deeply satisfying.

How to Find Your Sweet Spot

So how do you locate this elusive intersection? Start here:

1. Identify Your Deep Gladness

I started by reflecting on the moments when I felt most alive in my work. For me, it was brainstorming creative solutions, connecting folks, and helping others unlock their potential.

What lights you up? Think back to the moments when you were in flow—completely absorbed, energized, and losing track of time. Maybe it’s when you’re brainstorming, mentoring a team, or building something from scratch.

This isn’t about what you’re good at (though that helps); it’s about what makes you come alive. Write down 3-5 activities or moments that fit this description.

2. Pinpoint the World’s Deep Hunger

Next, I looked outward. I asked myself, What problems frustrate me? What do people struggle with that I know I can help solve? (A coach can really help here)

For example, I noticed that many entrepreneurs feel stuck—trapped in the grind and unsure how to align their work with their passion.

What frustrates you? What makes you say, “This needs to change”? Pay attention to problems you notice in your industry, your community, or even in conversations with customers. Where do people feel stuck, underserved, or overwhelmed?

The key is to find a hunger that aligns with your unique strengths. If your gladness is in storytelling, and businesses are starving for authentic brand messaging, you’ve just connected the dots.

3. Find the Intersection

The magic happens where these two circles overlap. This is your entrepreneurial playground.

For me, it was helping entrepreneurs and founders navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of building businesses that align with their deepest values. That’s where my joy met their need.

For example:

  • You love simplifying complex ideas. The hunger? Small businesses struggling to adopt AI without getting overwhelmed.
  • You light up when solving logistics puzzles. The hunger? Ecommerce sellers drowning in supply chain chaos.
  • You thrive on community-building. The hunger? Isolated remote workers looking for connection.

This isn’t about grand gestures or saving the world. It’s about finding a tangible need that matches your deep gladness and leaning in.

Turning Insight Into Action

Once I found this intersection, I started making small changes. I revisited my offerings, talked to my audience about their biggest struggles, and experimented with new approaches.

Identifying your sweet spot is only the beginning. The real work lies in aligning your business around it. Here’s how:

  • Revisit Your Offerings: Are your products or services solving a hunger that excites you to solve? If not, where can you make small shifts?
  • Talk to Your Customers: Ask them what they’re struggling with. Their answers can reveal needs you’re perfectly positioned to meet.
  • Test and Iterate: Once you’ve identified a potential intersection, start small. Test a new offering, tweak your messaging, or pilot a new approach. See how it feels—and how the market responds.

Why This Is Worth It

When you align your work with both joy and impact, you’re not just building a business—you’re building a legacy. You’ll find yourself energized, even in tough times, because your work doesn’t just fill your wallet; it fills your soul.

This isn’t just theory for me. It’s what keeps me going, even on the tough days. And it’s what I want for you too.

And guess what? Customers feel it too. A business born from this alignment doesn’t just stand out—it resonates. People don’t just buy what you sell; they buy into why you sell it.

Your Next Step

Here’s a simple exercise:

  1. Write down your top 3-5 moments of deep gladness—the times when you felt most alive in your work.
  2. Identify 3-5 “hungers” you’ve noticed in your market.
  3. Look for connections between the two.

Then, take one small step to test that intersection. Whether it’s launching a new service, tweaking your messaging, or simply reaching out to someone in your network, action creates clarity.

So, what’s your deep gladness? And how can it meet the world’s deep hunger? 

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