Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels, doing what it takes to survive, but never really pursuing your life’s passion? Perhaps you feel like you’ve missed your chance or that your finances are holding you back.
Don’t listen to that nagging voice in the back of your mind: You CAN pursue your life’s passion (even when it feels impossible). Check out the following tips on how to pinpoint, plan, and chase after the very thing that brings you fulfillment.
Determine Your Passion
You may think, “I don’t even know what my passion is!” And that’s okay. There are ways to bring your passion to the forefront, making it easier to grasp. Here are a few tips for establishing your passion:
- Think about your day-to-day life and what you typically enjoy doing. Does going to the gym fulfill you (personal trainer)? What about reading books (author), styling your hair (cosmetologist), playing baseball (little league coach), or taking care of your children (daycare provider)? Think about how these activities may help point you toward your passion.
- Recall what you enjoyed doing as a child. As we grow older, we often forget our childhood passions, which may still be relevant today. Revisit these and see if you can incorporate them into your life now.
- Remember that your passion doesn’t always have to turn into a career. “Make a list of all the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Now, see if you can find something that lives at the crossroads where your passion and values meet… You want to find ways to bring some enjoyment to your days. If you don’t yet know your why, listen to that voice in your head, stay true to your values, follow your passion, and sooner or later, it will reveal itself.” -Thriving in the Storm: Nine Principles to Help You Overcome Any Adversity, Bill Murphy.
Find Inspiration From Others
One of the most remarkable ways you can prepare for pursuing your life’s passion is by watching those who have defied the odds and done it before you. Look to people who have endured difficult times and still performed on the highest level. Gravitate toward people’s success stories from all walks of life, and don’t be afraid to learn from those people.
Shift Your Mindset
Does living a life filled with passion feel unrealistic to you? Because some people are comfortable doing what they’ve always done and often resist change, pursuing a passion can feel scary.
Therefore, shifting your mindset from impossibility to possibility is essential. You must be open to change and opportunity if you want to chase after your passion.
Quick Tip: If you’re still struggling with negative feelings about pursuing your passion, consider spending 10-15 minutes each morning journaling. Write down your goals, how you want to seek them, and how you’ll use positive thoughts to get there. Journaling can help shift your perspective, opening up new possibilities in your life.
Decide How You Will Deal With Obstacles
As you take steps to follow your passion, you will find that you encounter roadblocks along the way. Getting what you want out of life isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it!
Determine ahead of time how you will deal with these challenges and setbacks. Many people give up on their passion too quickly – maybe because of money, time, frustration, fears, or exhaustion. Whatever the reason, you must promise yourself ahead of time that you will keep reaching, working, and striving toward your goal.
When obstacles arise, take a few moments to refer back to shifting your mindset. Don’t let disappointment take over – continue to work on your perspective. You will get there!
Stay Motivated Along Your Journey
You may have times when you feel less motivated, and that’s okay. However, finding ways to keep pushing forward during these moments is helpful. One way to accomplish this is by creating a list of WHY you want to pursue your passion and reach your goals. Maintaining motivation becomes much easier when you look at your intended “end result” and how it will fulfill you.
Never Stop Refining Yourself
Many think the process is over once they determine their passion and start pursuing it. That’s not always true. As time passes, you may find that your passion has shifted. Stay in tune with your inner self so you can easily pick up on these changes.
Don’t continue to chase a passion just because it was your passion ten years ago. If things have changed, it’s okay to alter your path. Ask yourself how you will be the most fulfilled, and then change your goals and prioritize accordingly.
Final Thoughts
As you pursue your passion, don’t forget to use your story to inspire others. Figure out how your role might help other people live out their success stories, similar to how you were inspired at the beginning of your journey.
Lastly, if you want to dive deeper into pursuing your life’s passions and prospering in any storm, check out Thriving in the Storm: Nine Principles to Help You Overcome Any Adversity by Bill Murphy. This inspiring read shows how through preparation and changing the way you choose to show up every day, you can be better equipped to weather life’s next storm, whenever it may arrive.