Have you found your passion yet? The chances are that your answer is NO to this question. According to a study of Deloitte, only 13% are passionate about what they do.
But doing what we are passionate about is the only way to a fulfilling, happy, accomplished life no? That’s what we are told. Everyday. From every channel.
“Don’t settle for anything else but what you are passionate about” is a common line out there!
Many claim that finding your passion will make you feel less stressed, make you feel good about yourself, work won’t feel like work, you will get into a flow and stay there.. It sounds pretty good doesn’t it? So how come so many of us haven’t found ours and followed it?
Just like finding love at first sight is something of a myth for most of us (maybe not for all and if you’re in that small % who has, good on you!), finding our passion at a first glance is pretty unlikely…
How many tinder dates have you had to go on before finding someone who you actually wanted to get to know better? And even then it might take a few gained friendships (or painful breakups) before you meet the one you want to stick to. And often you take your time to really grow, explore and nurture that relationship before you put a ring on it.
I think this applies to your passion as well. In fact, I don’t believe in passion at first sight, I believe in finding your Purpose by trying things out and seek to explore new opportunities. I like the word Purpose better than Passion as Purpose indicates that it will take work – which it will!
A study at Standford suggested that following your passion is bad advice. When we are encouraged to follow our passion we think it will be easy and fun and that we will have unlimited motivation. So what happens when we are faced with challenges? We give up and quit – thinking that it probably wasn’t our passion after all.
So what are my advice here? Explore opportunities and find your Purpose! Wine and dine it and be prepared to work for it! Try these easy tips out:
- Make a list of what you enjoy doing – both professionally and in your personal life? Having this black on white list in writing might make thing more clear for you. Can you carve out more time or re-prioritise to do more of what you like? Maybe you find that you only like doing it in small doses and can scratch it off your purpose list. One step closer to your Purpose short-list!
- What do you fantasize about? (No dirty thoughts here please!) How can you try this out? I used to (sometimes still do) fantasize about being a writer. By starting writing these articles and taking an online course in creative wring, I’m exploring if that is truly something I’d like to do more of. Maybe a book is too much – this might be the level of writing of which I’m happy with.
- Say YES when asked to join a new thing! Maybe you haven’t come across you purpose yet – it’s lying in waiting for you to find it. When your friend is inviting you to a wine and paint class, do it! Perhaps you will be the next Picasso!
- Don’t be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. You can’t find your purpose if you’re sticking to what you know. I used to be terrified at talking in front of people (Some of you who know me probably laughs now!) but it’s true! I would even skip class when I had to talk in front of my class in school (sorry mum!). But in my last role I was required to run training, workshops and talks for manager of all levels and LOVED it! It felt like I had found my calling (at least one of them). Just do it. maybe it works, maybe not – at least you tried and can tick that off your list.
- What are you REALLY good at? Perhaps you have already found your calling but just need to take it down another avenue! Take your skills and apply them elsewhere, it might be your way to find your Purpose! It’s what I’m doing with The Mikology – using my strengths and applying them in a new setting.
- Try things more than once! Remember – you and your purpose need to get to know eachother before you pick out your bling together! Don’t think that things will come easy, then you will never find it! But make the process fun – maybe not everything will turn into your life purpose, but enjoy the ride while getting there!
Do you want help to find your purpose? Book a bite sized coaching package and dream big! Click HERE!
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