Finding Your Passions and Then Doing Something About It!

Finding Your Passions and Then Doing Something About It!

I asked for some suggestions on topics the other day and a friend requested “finding your passions”. I love this topic because your passions should be a great path to happiness. Whatever it is that you’re passionate about should make you happy. Right??

Ok so if you could find a way to explore your passions daily, you would inevitably be happier. If we all agree on that, then let’s dive into how to find your passions and then how to explore them.

You can find a way to your passions in two ways that I know. Let’s do the easiest way first. You can explore things that interest you and start eliminating things you don’t enjoy.

When I was younger I was challenged by a boss to write on the left hand side of a piece all of the things I did every day that I enjoyed doing. On the right side of the same piece of paper, I was to write all of the things I did every day that I didn’t like doing... pretty simple right? Have you ever done this? If yes, then you know this is not that easy. If no, you would be amazed at how long it takes to think about all of the things you actually do! The next day I return with my list, the boss takes the paper and rips it in half. She hands back the left side of the paper and said, “this is your new job description.” She held up the right side of the paper and said, “I’ll find someone else to do this.” The rest of this story is epic, but I’m saving that for a bigger project. 😉

If you take the time to start at every job you’ve had and write down all of the things you liked and didn’t like doing, you will quickly start to see a trend. You can get there more efficiently by eliminating things you don’t like, because the negative scar tissue lasts longer and we remember those things more. Ha.

The more difficult way is to write all of the things you love doing and then find a way to do them everyday. If you know these answers, then what are you waiting for? Is it time? Is it too hard to find a job doing those things? Here’s a solution.

If your full time job is not answering your needs in this exercise, then you need a side hustle or a hobby. I know it sounds counterintuitive to add more to your plate, but if that extra thing is the the thing that you truly love... you may not even need coffee anymore. When you start doing this, the energy that it creates for you will help you in all facets of your life.

To start out and find the time, I recommend Tuesday nights from 8-9pm. I call it give back Tuesday night. Set aside 1hr a week to work on whatever is important to YOU! Mark it on your calendar. Tell your partner about it. And then do it. You could watch YouTube about your subject, or start creating or start looking for the right job etc. This is one hour per week for YOUR passion.

I would also say this. You should do this reassess your interests and passions often. They will evolve with time. You may realize that the new project you were assigned to had you coaching younger employees and that mentoring is something you love. Who knows. It’s ok for your interests and passions to evolve and it’s even more ok for you to go after them when the do!

Bottom line, evaluate the good and the bad, focus on the good and then create a great. Set aside time every week to explore the great and see where it takes you.