How to Find Your Passion in Life: Self-Discovery Tips

When you find your passion in life it allows you to become fully present and fulfilled. Ideally, we identify our passion in life early. But sometimes, we don’t figure things out until much later.

No matter what your age, if you haven’t found your passion yet, it’s time to give it a try. 

Doing so can open the door to the kind of fulfillment that only a life with purpose can provide. 

Sometimes you need some help to get your inspiration flowing. Especially if you feel lost and don’t know where to begin.

Here are some ideas to prompt your thinking, and two exercises that may inspire.

How to Find Your Passion

Let’s use these suggestions as a guide during these exercises:

• Let’s allow our minds to freely wander to ideas whether or not they seem practical.
• It’s okay to have random ideas that appear to have no connection:  we may be the connection.
• When negative feelings pop up (fear, self-doubt, worries, etc.), sit with them for a minute.  Just don’t let them become the boss. We’re in charge of where our mind goes.
• For this process to work, we have to be 100% authentic.  No “shoulds” allowed.
• Be kind. We’re on a journey of self-discovery.  It’s exciting but it takes courage.  It can feel risky to be completely honest with ourselves.
• Be patient. It may take a while to do this well.

Questions To Get You Dreaming and Find Your Passion in Life

Now onto suggestions to get those wheels turning.

1. If you had one, what words would your personal mission statement include? (No need to make it perfect, just think about the words that describe your personal mission in life).
2. What do you want your legacy to be? What is it that you want to have accomplished? How do you want to be remembered?
3. When you have spare time, what do you read about?
4. What are the most satisfying days you remember? What were you doing?
5. Who do you know who has tapped into their passion? Can you spend more time around them? They may inspire you.
6. What would you do all day, if you had tons of money in the bank?
7. Ask yourself, what do I absolutely hate to do? What do I want to avoid having to do for the rest of my life?
8. When do you awake excited for the day to begin?  Does this happen when you’re about to travel?  If you have special plans with a friend? When you’re headed to a certain place to visit? When you’re going to a certain kind of event?

Another Way to Find Your Passion in Life

If you need more inspiration, here’s another approach.  It’s based on the Japanese concept of “Ikigai”.  There’s no literal translation for this in English. But that’s okay.  It involves list-making. And lists are always a good thing. Here’s what to do:

Make 4 lists:

1. Activities you love to do.
2. Things you’re good at.
3. Work you can get paid to do, and
4. Things the world needs.

Now, compare the lists. Where the lists overlap can help you identify your:

Passion = Lists 1 + 2.

Mission = Lists 2 + 3.

Vocation = Lists 3 + 4.

Profession = Lists 2 + 3.

If anything overlaps all 4 lists, you may have found your Passion!

Whatever is in that sweet spot is your calling.  You need to run after it without delay and with all your heart and soul. Even if it’s far from where you are today, chart the course to get there. Identifying your passion is the first step; the road may be long. But once you’re on your way, the thrill will keep you going full steam ahead.

Enjoy whatever new thoughts these activities raise.

Don’t dismiss anything. Let your mind be wide open. Remember that we decide how and what we think.

Are you open to a new future?  Ready to feel more fulfilled than you ever dreamed you could? Ready to pursue your passion in life? Start today, continue tomorrow, and before you know it, you’ll be there.

Thank you as always for reading.

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KindCompassCoach

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years as a consultant. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate coaching and leadership, including mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from relevant experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.