Do you think Kanye West gets bored of making music? Does Jennifer Lawrence ever feel uninterested in starring in blockbusters? LeBron James probably doesn’t dread playing basketball at the start of every season. That’s because they’re all passionate about what they do.
When you find your passion in life, every day seems like an opportunity to show the world your best self. And believe Marcus when he says, “If you don’t love what you do, then you shouldn’t do it.” You might be wondering how to find your passion, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we can help guide you. Here’s how to get started.
Success, Happiness, and Passion Go Hand in Hand... in Hand
The celebrities mentioned above are passionate about their careers, but that doesn’t mean they’re not passionate about other things too. When you’re learning how to find your passion, keep in mind that you can be passionate about many different things, and it doesn’t matter what they are. Sure, you might be passionate about finding the cure for cancer, but you can also be passionate about building Lego sets. One may be inarguably more important for the world at large, but the amount of happiness you get from constructing that Millennium Falcon Lego set might give you the fuel you need to complete essential medical research. Passion allows you to learn and to grow. It can inspire you to travel and meet new people. When the world gets you down, your passions will give you hope.
What’s Important to You?
There are three vital points to consider when you’re learning how to find your passion, and they’ll help guide you on your journey. The first step to finding your passion is to be honest with yourself, so give yourself time to think about these three points.
1. Short Term vs. Long Term Happiness. When the day has you down, ordering a whole pizza and scarfing down the entire thing in one sitting may make you happy for the night, but if you’re passionate about fitness, you understand that it’s not helping you in the long run.
Hanging out with your friends and blowing off studying sounds like a riot, but if your long-term goals require a degree, you must prioritize the hard work required. Also, think about whether your passion is sustainable throughout your lifetime. Everybody was really into fidget spinners for a summer, but how many people do you know who still use theirs regularly? Your goals and passions will change over time, and that’s perfectly normal and healthy, but it’s worth considering whether your desires are fleeting or here for the long haul.
2. Time vs. Money. When you’re figuring out how to find your passion, ask yourself which one is more important to you, time or money? How much time can you realistically spend, and how much time is required to realize your goals? Equally, will your passions earn you money or cost you money? Just as there is such a thing as being financially poor, there is a thing called being time-poor. When your calendar is jam-packed with obligations, will your passion be getting enough of your schedule to make it worthwhile?
3. Realistic Goals. Maybe we set our goals too high when we mentioned finding a cure for cancer earlier, but it helps illustrate this important point. Are your passions achievable? Growing up, most people hear that they can do anything they set their minds to, which is true…within reason. If you decide to dedicate your life to something that won’t help you cover your bills, you’ll also need to have a job that perhaps you aren’t passionate about. Is that something that you are willing to do? Forget about employment for a moment and think about whether you’re able to fulfill your own goals. Are you the kind of person who can overcome adversity to triumph, or do you enjoy a relaxing lifestyle and have an aversion to discomfort? Neither answer is right or wrong, but it’s helpful to be honest with yourself.
Passion Comes With Benefits
When you know how to find your passion and turn it into reality, you will receive many benefits that can make your life easier and happier. These are the top positive side effects of living a passionate life.
1. Cutting Out the Clutter. By focusing on your passion and giving it all of your energy, you’re cutting the chaos out of your life and getting back to basics. Have you ever shared an anecdote in a conversation and then asked yourself, “how did I know that?” We pick up information all day long, whether we know it or not. It’s liberating to take time for yourself and focus on what you love doing, researching it with purpose. By choosing to spend your time on what you love doing, you’re making a conscious choice about what’s essential and what isn’t. Instead of being a jack of all trades and a master of none, chase one dream with all of your energy. You won’t get sidetracked by less important things.
2. You’re More Confident. Being yourself is easy when you’re passionate about something. Everybody has caught himself or herself rambling on in a conversation about a topic they love. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s admirable to have something that excites you so much. The things that we spend our time on represent us, whether we like it or not. If you work for a company that produces stuffed animals, it’s understandable if strangers ask you if you enjoy stuffed animals. There’s nothing wrong with being yourself and chasing what excites you, even if people don’t understand. Marcus says, “Get comfortable being your true self. Do it at the risk of being criticized.” Your passions are yours, and they are valid. Own them and be an expert.
3. Keep Pushing the Boundaries. There’s always something else to learn, no matter how skilled you are. Whenever you feel comfortable, you’re not pushing yourself. When you’re hungry for the next level of understanding, you’ll continue to find new aspects of your passion. Say your passion is woodworking. A new technique may lead you to discover a different style of cabinetmaking that interests you. If you are genuinely passionate about what you’re doing, then it’s impossible to run out of things to spark your interest and creativity. It’s not about how to find your passion; it’s about finding out that your passion is continuously evolving.
Passion Hides In The Most Obvious Places
When you want to know how to find your passion, you may be at a loss of where to look. It’s not easy to know where to start. Here are some of the most common methods to find what you’re looking for.
1. What Are Your Hobbies? This may seem like an obvious starting point, but simplicity is usually simple for a reason. Ask yourself what you enjoy doing in your free time. What makes you lose track of time, block out the sound of people talking, and interests you more than anything? If you don’t have a hobby like that, then when was the last time you felt that way? Once you have your answer, expand from that. Who makes the products that you use for your hobby? Does doing that job interest you? Who else is even more into your hobby than you are? What do they do for a living that allows them the time and money to pursue their interests?
2. Focus on People. When you ask people what they do for a living or in their spare time, do you get envious? The next time you’re speaking with a person who seems passionate about something, ask them questions. If they’re truly passionate, they’ll love sharing.
If you’re still searching for the right passion, try reframing the problem. What kind of people would you like to be around? Who would you like to help? Once you understand the people you want to surround yourself with, it will help you narrow your search area.
3. What Do You Want Your Legacy to Be? Forget about time vs. money because you can always come back to that. But, if it helps, imagine that you just won the lottery. How would you spend your time? Would you help people, or would you travel the world? Passions are all about self-fulfillment. What would you like your mark on the world to be?
In an ideal world, you could choose something big and world-changing. Once you have a lofty goal in mind, think about the first step you need to take to get there. It could be something as small as donating a bit of your time or speaking with someone further along than you are, but a small first step is still a step in the right direction toward cementing your legacy as a passionate person.
Dreamers Achieve Their Dreams. Passion Is Achieved By The Passionate
No matter what you would like to do with your life, you can include your passions. Within reason, nothing is impossible. When you feel stuck, think about the questions asked above. Keep them in your mind and chew on them whenever you have a chance. Almost no one has one monumental eureka moment and then dedicates their life to chasing their passion. Learning how to find your passion takes time, but you will be happier, more successful, and leave your lasting mark on the world when you eventually find it.
- What are some things you’ve tried to find your passion?
- What tips from above do you think can help you the most with finding your passion?
