Pursuing your Passion
Feeling stuck in a rut? Jackie Hillegers shares some ideas to help you find – and pursue – your passion.
Life is like a tapestry of never-ending experiences and captured moments, all woven together and filed away in your memory. Some memories bring us immense joy, so we tend to find a way to repeat those experiences and incorporate them into our daily lives. This may be a sign that you have found your passion – an activity that injects fulfillment and purpose into your life!
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOBBY AND A PASSION
A hobby is an activity that you enjoy doing in your spare time for personal reward. Hobbies can be shared with others in a group or enjoyed alone as a way of relaxing and unwinding. Hobbies can be anything you like to do – from baking, reading, surfing, sports, woodwork, painting and more.
A passion is more than just an interest or activity that elicits temporary excitement, it is an enduring commitment that awakens a sense of purpose and permeates every aspect of your life and inner thoughts.
Some people turn their passion into a career by teaching others what they know and love. You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘If you do something you love you will never have to work a day in your life’.
DISCOVERING YOUR PASSION
One way to identify your passion is to embrace a childlike curiosity when it comes to scoping out and exploring things further. Curiosity is an investigative way to discover new and unchartered waters, where you step easily out of your comfort zone.
Finding your passion may not happen when you want it to, so just enjoy the process and trust your instincts until it reveals itself.
Remember, finding your way in life isa deeply personal journey that must fitin and resonate with your core values and beliefs. We all have untapped talent, so explore all options and do not let others sway you to walk their chosen path instead.
IS IT OK IF I HAVEN’T FOUND MY PASSION?
There are lots of things you may be interested in but not truly passionate about, and that’s perfectly OK. You may be content with having a hobby, or maybe you just like to take one day at a time and celebrate every small win.
There is no right or wrong way to do life – if something makes you happy then that is the right way for you.
If that doesn’t satisfy you, another way of thinking about it is that something may be holding you back from ‘pursuing’ that passion – such as work, money, fear, laziness or distraction.
You may be in the phase of your life where you are still laying your foundations or igniting your career, so you are too time-poor to pursue the things you would love to be doing.
I’VE FOUND MY PASSION… NOW WHAT?
When you do discover your passion, you may want to turn it into a side hustle or spend your spare time exploring ways to make money or give back to the community.
It may eventually take on a life of its own and become a full-time job. It is super easy to talk or write about something you feel so passionately about and sharing your ideas with others has the power to expand and explore different options, which can lead to greater clarity and action.
IN SUMMARY
Passion lives in your heart, not your head. You will never regret doing more of something you love by turning it into a habit.
Every great invention was spurred on through curiosity and a determination of one’s passion to change the world for the better.
IDEAS TO HELP FIND YOUR PASSION:
What subject do you talk about in conversation the most?
What do you spend time and money on?
What is the highlight of your day?
Create a vision board of options.
Ask others what they consider your strengths.
Turn inwards and notice what internally lights you up.
Enjoy the journey and trust your gut feeling
