Does the age-old question: what are you passionate about, bring up a softball-sized knot in the pit of your stomach? Even worse, does your mind go blank when trying to answer the "What are you passionate about" question? If so, you are not alone.
A 2017 Deloitte study found that only 13% of the US workforce are passionate about their jobs. For many, discovering and developing their passion can feel like an overwhelming, maybe even intolerable, task. But here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to be.
Everybody feels passionate about something. One of the most exciting parts of living authentically is getting to design your life around the things you love most!
The Deloitte (2017) study described passion as something that brings out our desires to learn and figure something out, as well as make an impact despite the challenges and setbacks we may face.
So, you might be asking yourself, “How do I discover my passion?”
This is a great question! Let’s look at these 3 simple tips on how to discover and develop your passion so you can live a more fulfilling life.
3 SIMPLE TIPS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO DISCOVER YOUR PASSIONS:
1. Create a personal vision statement
👉 A personal vision statement is a picture of your future life. It serves as an inspiration and foundation for your planning and goal setting. It puts a framework around what you want to accomplish in your life, what you want your life to be like, look like, and feel like both personally and professionally.
Action: Start writing and describing your personal vision as if you are watching it play out in front of you. Write it as yourself and in the present tense (ex. It is July 20th, and I am… (where you are), I feel…, I wake up. . . I have . . . and I am filled with joy…, etc.). Get specific. Dream big. Don't be afraid to sound silly or be asking too much. There's no wrong way to do this, so have fun with it! Once written, your personal vision statement can guide you on how to find your true passions.
2. Unearth your values
👉 Your values are simply the things that are most important to you at the core, the things you regard as important for underlining the way you work and live. It's the unwavering belief in what you stand for. When you know your values, they can help determine your personal goals and priorities. Some of my core values are honesty, authenticity, balance, and connection. Knowing these values has helped me overcome burnout and create a fulfilling work/life balance life.
Action: Write down three things that make you truly happy. Why do these things bring you joy? The answer will likely lead you to some core values!
3. Find your intrinsic motivation
👉 The concept of finding your intrinsic motivation is all about discovering what internally motivates you. Intrinsic motivation is when you engage in something because you truly enjoy it and get a feeling of personal satisfaction from it.
Action: Think about what type of impact or goal compels you. What makes you feel complete and present as if you are doing what you were made to do? Finding what internally motivates you is the secret ingredient to finding your passions.
GET STARTED DEVELOPING YOUR PASSIONS TODAY!
Now that you have discovered what your passions are, what happens next?
Discovering your passion should always be followed by some form of action. Armed with your newfound knowledge, you’ll be much better equipped to spot opportunities and create a life you love.
For example, think about how you can make the most out of your career opportunities, like using some of the core aspects of your passion, such as problem-solving, that carry into a work project. From a personal perspective, think about making your passion a habit and incorporating it into your everyday life. Remember that developing your passion is about purposefully making time for doing the things you love.
👉Note: Keep in mind that discovering and developing your passions isn’t a one-time deal that happens in one day. Your passions may change throughout your life and that is okay.
Discovering and developing your passions is one of the most enjoyable tasks in learning to live authentically. Your passion is the fuel that ignites the joy you were created to experience. When you connect with something that you truly care about on an emotional and intellectual level, this will result in you wanting to do more of it. This not only motivates you to get through the “tough times,” but it also provides clarity, confidence, and direction in creating success in your personal and professional life on your terms.
Which of the tips above most resonates with you? What are you taking from today’s post?
I love hearing from you in the comments below – or connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
PS. If, you're feeling stuck, burnt out, unfulfilled and working through life rather than living it, we need to connect. Schedule your free success strategy session with me today!
References
Hagel, J. Seely, J., Wooll, M., Ranjan., A. (2017). If you love them, set them free: Why building the workforce you need for tomorrow means giving them wings to fly today. Retrieved from: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/future-workforce-engagement-in-the-workplace.html.