Waking up and getting to do a job that you love every day is a dream many aspire to make into a reality. Finding your passion and creating a way to turn it into a career can lead to a more rewarding work-life. If you enjoy what you do every day, you'll often notice an increase in motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Some people seem to be born with a passion and purpose. But where do you start if you aren’t quite sure what your passion is? In this article, I'll be breaking down just how to find your passion so you can start living your best life!
Questions for how to find your passion
Finding your passion might seem difficult, but if you’re able to ask yourself probing questions and be honest about your answers, the process is actually quite simple. Be sure to keep paper or a digital document handy as you go through this process, so you can keep track of all of your ideas.
If you aren’t certain what your passion is, here are quick ways to find out what sets your soul on fire.
1. What topics light you up?
We’re often passionate about things that inspire us and put us in the mood to share our thoughts and feelings. Uncovering the topics that light you up is a great way to begin identifying some of your passions.
Think about the last time you were fueled by an intense conversation. What were you talking about? Try unpacking the conversation until you’re able to figure out the exact topic (or topics) that made you come alive. Start writing down any and all topics that come to mind.
2. What are you doing or working on when you lose track of time?
If you struggled with the first question, there’s another way to figure out topics you’re passionate about. This time, begin thinking about the last time you were so focused on something that you lost track of time.
When you’re in the zone and really exhilarated by the work you’re doing, it’s easy to forget to eat, take a bathroom break, or even check the clock. This might relate to something you were working on for school, your job, or even your personal development. Or maybe it’s a topic you were learning more about and found yourself staying up until 3 am on a weeknight. Jot down any topics that fit this description.
3. When you were younger, what did you love to do?
Remember when you were a kid and believed you could do anything? What was it you wanted to do? Nothing is too cheesy or beyond reach to make this list. Maybe you wanted to be a singer, but even if you aren’t musically inclined, it doesn’t mean you can’t factor your passion for music into a new job.
Don’t limit yourself here. Try to think back on what you loved to do as a kid, middle schooler, and high schooler. What did your friends always request from you? What did you think you’d be doing when you grew up?
4. If money weren’t an issue, how would you spend your time?
Lastly, it’s time to strip away any financial boundaries or educational limits that you might think are holding you back from pursuing your passion. For this exercise, you have to imagine that money is not an obstacle. Let’s say you’re covered financially through retirement and no longer have to work. You might take some time off at first, but after enjoying your newfound financial freedom, what is it you’d want to do in your spare time?
Pare down your list
Now you have a list that can guide you on how to find your passion. It’s time to begin ranking them, paring them down, and being intentional. What stands out to you most on the list? What passions could you not imagine living without? Do any of them overlap? Merge, separate, and rank everything you wrote down until you have a better understanding of what’s most important to you.
Pursue your dream and combine multiple passions
After answering these questions, you might find you have a few different passions. Figuring out how to combine these elements can help lead you to a goal you’ll be passionate about pursuing. For instance, maybe you discovered that you love talking to new people every day. Or perhaps you’re passionate about making a good cup of coffee, and you love animals. Based on this, you might decide to open a cat or pet cafe.
Take a closer look at your passions to figure out if there’s any way to combine them into one job or a career that focuses on multiple areas of interest. It might even empower you to start your own business!
Your passion does not have to become your primary source of income
For many, finding a way to do what they love every day and getting paid for it is a dream come true. But others might find that monetizing their passion (or at least, depending on their passion for income) takes away some of the magic and excitement.
As a writer, I find I burn out frequently when covering topics and niches that I’m not passionate about. In the past, it’s taken the joy out of writing and storytelling. In fact, it almost prevented me from pursuing any type of writing opportunities.
While I’ve found a way to balance my love of personal finances and writing into one career, you might find that separating the way you earn your living from your passion is more important to you. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Figure out how to enrich your life by incorporating your passions into your life, however, that ends up looking.
Discovering your passions can add purpose to your life
Finding your passion in life can add a tremendous sense of value and self-worth to your life and career. Uncovering your purpose, whether it’s a craft, means of helping others, or a topic that ignites you, can lead to a more fulfilling life.
If you're feeling stuck at your current job or want to work in a field that is meaningful to you, it's worth spending the time reflecting on what you're most passionate about and the most viable ways to explore this passion.