Finding your true Passion

What exactly is a ‘life passion,’ you ask?

Passion: an “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling of conviction.”
That might be the dictionary definition, but in reality, it’s hard to define
“passion” because it’s a feeling that no words can describe.
The history of the word passion gives it a deeper meaning that makes anyone
who has found their passion smile and nod, like it’s a secret acknowledgement
of what it truly means to live for something.
The word passion comes from the Latin word passio, which means “suffering.”
Yes! People certainly suffer for their passions! Some suffer a great deal, and
that’s part of the reason why finding your passion (and following it) is so
important in life. After all, anything worthwhile has some pain attached to it.
But the pain and suffering that may stem from a passion is nothing compared
with the stress and emptiness caused by a passionless life. Without that
creative release, life can become unfulfilling and pointless.

Following your passion is something
that “outsiders” (i.e. parents, siblings,
partners, friends, and others) can’t seem
to comprehend.
Outsiders focus their criticisms on
things like safety, stability, security,
and status because their decisions tend
to be dictated by fears. Their goal is to
avoid pain and failure and simply stick
to what they know. That’s why outsiders
rarely understand the forces that pull
passionate people away from “sensible”
decisions in life.
We all know that growth and success
can only happen when we make shortterm
sacrifices to overcome the obstacles
and beat the odds. And once you make
the choice to burst out of your protective
shell and work with intensity, then
you’re ready to discover and pursue
your deepest passion.

How Do You Find
Your Passion?

1. Make a list of your favorite
hobbies. Write down your favorite
activities and pastimes, even if it’s
from your childhood. You might
already spend time on your passion
without even realizing it.

2. Start a new hobby. Don’t limit
yourself to what you know. Try
getting involved with hobbies that
your friends and family enjoy. This
will lead you to discover new joys
you may have never considered.

3. Make a list of your talents. They
don’t have to be related to a specific
job, just allow the pen to flow freely
on the paper. You just might
discover a passion hidden in one of
your talents.

4. Ask your loved ones. Sometimes
other people can see what makes
you happy better than you can.

5. Look at the long-term interests
in your life. Are there themes or
events in your life that always seem
to pop up? Examine those and see if
you can uncover your life’s passion.

6. Be honest with yourself.
Sometimes people mistake their
passion for something they’re
talented at doing instead of
something they want to be doing.
Do what you love, not just what
you’re good at.

7. Make a list of things that
dominate your conversations.
If you constantly turn your talk
toward a certain subject, it may be
something you should actively
pursue.

8. Find ways to get involved in
your community. Playing
recreational sports and engaging
in activities at the local
community center can be a great
way to meet people. We can learn
a lot from others through
conversation and circumstance.

9. Help others. Forget about
yourself and try serving others in
your community. Kindness and
charity really can unlock your real
passions in life.

10. Find a mentor. If you can find
someone willing to show you the
ropes, you’ll have a unique
insider’s perspective and a
confidant. Plus, you’ll be able to
bypass a lot of the initial learning
curve.

How Do You Develop
Your Passion?

1. Network with others. Find people
who share your passion and get
together for related activities,
conferences, or seminars.

2. Go online. There’s a wealth of
information available on the
Internet. You can also use public
message boards and social
networking websites to meet new
people that have similar interests.
Take advantage of the networking
opportunities available to you.

3. Take a course. Find a college or
trade school that teaches a subject
you’re interested in. Aside from
learning, you’ll meet students who
share your enthusiasm and passion.

4. Practice. The better you get, the
more you’ll push yourself, and the
more you’ll enjoy the fruits of your
labor.

5. Develop your passion at work.
Find out if there’s a way you can
actively develop your passion at
work through company-sponsored
training and development.

6. Work on a project with a
buddy. Two people working on a
shared project can help you both
sharpen your skills.

7. Go pro bono. Contributing your
talents to your community will
help you get practice and
understand how your passion fits
with the needs of others. Do this at
least until you’re confident with
your abilities.

8. Teach someone else. The quickest
way to master something is to teach
it to someone who doesn’t know the
skill.

9. Create a dedicated workroom.
You need the right atmosphere for
you to sharpen your skills. By
keeping all resources and tools at
your fingertips, you’ll be able to
constantly refine your passion.

10. Accept obstacles without
discouragement. Take a break if
you feel like you’re getting
discouraged. Don’t forget to set a
definite time and date (no more
than two days) when you’ll start
up again.

11. Set goals, meet them, and then
set more goals. You should never
be moving forward without focus
and direction. Focusing on an
objective helps you keep negative
vibes away.

12. Find positive reinforcement. If
your friends and family discourage
your passion, consider finding a
life coach who will keep you on
track with your goals.

Now get started

written by Sharon Reid
published by Krisna Putra Darma

XNA consulting
"your personal and business partner"