While you hear everywhere that you need to do what you were to do, follow your dreams, etc. you cannot figure out what exactly to be so passionate about? You have no clue what your dream is? Well, then for you, we need to start at step 0: finding your passion.
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No, I am not taunting you. In fact, two years ago, I myself had no clue about where my passion lies. Yes, I enjoyed writing, but I also loved making photographs. Music was also one of my interests. But you see there is a big difference between interests and passions. You might have more hobbies than you can count on your fingers, but the same thing is not true for passion.
A passion is a very strong emotion, and more than often, you will not be able to control the feeling at all. It is a compelling desire for something; something that cannot be replaced. Don’t feel like that for anything? No worries, I will help you out. 
Why do I need to find my passion?
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This quote encapsulates everything on why understanding what one’s passion is and pursuing it is vital:
“If at the one moment in your life when the chance of something transcendental is offered to you, if you have this chance to move beyond the surface of things, to understand – and you say, No, maybe not… What then? How do you explain the rest of your life to yourself? How do you pass the time until you die? Do you substitute for that an interest in what – eating? Do you spend the next sixty years trying to be fascinated by the act of breathing?” ― Sebastian Faulks, Charlotte Gray
Now when I say following your passion, there is something I need to clarify right in the beginning. Movies have wrecked the whole idea of following one’s passion. They make one feel as though the course of following one’s dreams is sure to have a lot of hurdles initially, but eventually, you are bound to become a millionaire. In real life, there is no guarantee as such. You might follow you dream, and end up nowhere. There is a big possibility of that happening.
So what I am telling you here is that do not get seduced into finding your dream and following it because you know that you are going to earn the big bucks and have a big name someday. No. Find your passion and work on it, because then every day for the rest of your life, you will be doing something that you love doing. And isn’t that awesome!
When you truly follow your passion because you love it, because you don’t know what else to do, then you stop worrying about money or success or anything of that sort which is not under your control. What is under your control? Working on your craft. Learning all that there is to it. Growing like never before.
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How to find your passion
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Here are a few steps you can follow to find what you are truly passionate about.
1. Don’t worry about finding your passion
Yes, you read that right. What I mean by that is you shouldn’t all your effort and concentration on finding your passion. Have you noticed how when you misplace something and look for it constantly, you just don’t find it. But when you are not looking for it and lie exhausted on your sofa, you will something pricking at you, and voila! You have discovered your keys!
Don’t hunt for it. Instead, try to be more mindful of what you are doing; of your activities. Try to analyze which of these activities bring you joy, but also a sense of purpose.
2. Passion does not have to be extremely profound
Again the movies! They have had us believe that our passion has to be something grand; that finding it will cause epiphany coupled with thunder and lightning and a life-changing moment. No, it isn’t always like that. Your passion could be something you have been doing, but haven’t realized how much it means to you. It could be spending time taking care of dogs, or flying a kite or knitting. It could be anything grand or otherwise.
3. Observe the small little details
You, probably, already know what you like, right? There are some things that you really enjoy doing. So, now, just look at these activities closely. Your passion could be hiding there, and you might not have looked closely. If you watch movies before hitting the bed every night, then that could be your passion. If you like reading a book every week, then you might be passionate about books.
4. Your passion will scare you
In my case, I am passionate about writing and about making photographs, and yes, when I started focusing my entire energy, time, and money, on what I love doing, I was terrified. No, the fear is not about the activity per se, but f what people would think about the articles I pen or the photos I make. This feeling is a constant for most people who follow their passion.
Since what you do means so much to you, what people think also holds great importance in your heart; you want them to appreciate your art.
5. Be curious
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” –Albert Einstein
You say that you have no clue what your passion is, but have you put on your inquisitive hat, and really given it a thought. I am sure if you turn Sherlock for a while, you will quickly sniff out your passion. Trust your curiosity to point you in the correct direction.
6. Ask yourself a bunch of questions
Here are some questions to get you started, questions compiled by Inc.
- What’s been a common theme in your life? What’s something that people would say about you in each job you’ve held?
- What skills come to you naturally? How could you possibly use those to make a living? (Get creative, this is just a brainstorming activity.)
- What types of things do friends, colleagues, or family usually seek your input for?
- What would you do for nothing? If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you be doing? (Again, this is just hypothetical.)
- What’s something that, when immersed in it, you lose track of time?
- What gets your blood boiling? What’s a problem in the world that you’d love to fix?
- What’s one moment or accomplishment that made you feel really confident? What were you doing, and what part of it brought you the most joy?
- In past (or present) companies, what internal or external problems would you be interested in solving?
- What results bring you the most satisfaction?
- How can you do more of these things?
- How might you apply what you like to do in your day-to-day in an industry you’re excited by? Or, what roles within this industry could you research?
And, she says, “don’t forget to stay curious:” - Who has a role that looks really interesting that you could learn more about?
- What methods could you use to learn more about this industry or role?
Try answering these questions, and you will be way closer to realizing what your passion is than where you are currently.
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Here’s what Mark Manson, Author of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck”, has to say about finding and following one’s passion:
“Most of us have no clue what we want to do with our lives. Even after we finish school. Even after we get a job. Even after we’re making money. Between ages 18 and 25, I changed career aspirations more often than I changed my underwear. And even after I had a business, it wasn’t until I was 28 that I clearly defined what I wanted for my life.
Chances are you’re more like me and have no clue what you want to do. It’s a struggle almost every adult goes through. “What do I want to do with my life?” “What am I passionate about?” “What do I not suck at?” I often receive emails from people in their 40s and 50s who still have no clue what they want to do with themselves.
Part of the problem is the concept of “life purpose” itself. The idea that we were each born for some higher purpose and it’s now our cosmic mission to find it. This is the same kind of shitty logic used to justify things like spirit crystals or that your lucky number is 34 (but only on Tuesdays or during full moons).
Here’s the truth. We exist on this earth for some undetermined period of time. During that time, we do things. Some of these things are important. Some of them are unimportant. And those important things give our lives meaning and happiness. The unimportant ones basically just kill time.
So when people say, “What should I do with my life?” or “What is my life purpose?” what they’re actually asking is: “What can I do with my time that is important?”
So focus on that: What can I do with my time that is important; and you should be fine.
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That is all we have on today’s post on how you can go about finding and following your passion. Is there anything in particular you want to talk to us about, or want on our advice on? Let us know in the comment section below.
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See you until next time!
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
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