Mental Health and Motivation

Many Product Marketers need passion to be successful.

I learned this the hard way. A few times.

For the past couple of years, I have been missing a mixture of some of the important ingredients that I need in order to feel passion for my work. Ingredients that contribute to my passion are:

• Strong Leadership and Direction

• Internal Alignment and Enthusiasm

• Personal Alignment and Focus

I struggled to solidly experience all of them at once. Throw in a divorce, a move, a new job, and dealing with mental health, and here I am; a full year-and-a-half without writing a newsletter.

So what happens next?

I’m happy to say that I’m in a much better place, both personally and professionally. I feel like I have worthwhile things to contribute to the profession of Product Marketing again. So I’m committing to sharing these learnings through newsletters, at least once a month.

Finding the Missing Ingredients

Today’s edition is about dusting yourself off and finding motivation to be a better version of yourself, whether that’s as a PMM or simply as a person.

Pursuing Strong Leadership and Direction

Finding passion in your work often begins with being part of a team that has strong and inspiring leadership. When leaders communicate a clear vision and show consistent conviction, it becomes easier to connect your daily responsibilities to a larger purpose. Clear direction provides a roadmap for growth (often a literal roadmap if you work in the tech space), offers guidance during uncertainty, and helps you see how your individual efforts contribute to the success of the organization.

With this kind of leadership, you are not just completing PMM tasks, but contributing to something meaningful. Passion is easier to cultivate when you feel supported and part of a mission that matters.

Gaining Internal Alignment and Enthusiasm

Passion grows when you are surrounded by a team that is aligned and genuinely enthusiastic. When everyone is working toward shared goals and values, there is less confusion and more motivation.

A cohesive and collaborative environment allows energy and positivity to flow naturally. Being part of a group that cares about the work and supports one another can make your own work feel more rewarding. Enthusiasm is contagious, and being immersed in a culture where others are excited about their roles helps you become more passionate about yours.

I often say that one of my superpowers as a PMM is helping others feel enthusiastic; whether that’s about an upcoming launch, about our place in the market, or even something as simple as a piece of collateral, I like bringing people together to get everyone hyped up about our shared work and goals.

Assuring Personal Alignment and Focus

True passion comes from within and develops when your personal values and strengths align with the work you are doing. It requires you to reflect on what motivates you, which problems you enjoy solving, and what kind of success you are striving for. When you focus on projects that use your talents and bring you a sense of fulfillment, work becomes more than just a routine.

By staying connected to your interests, setting clear priorities, and creating space for meaningful efforts, you can turn even ordinary tasks into something deeply satisfying.

Thank you for reading, and I wish you success discovering (or re-discovering!) your passion for Product Marketing.

What ingredients do you need in order to have the passion to be successful?