What’s Your Passion? Four Tips for Finding It
“Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” – Confucius
In May my cousin will graduate from college. While she’s excited about her accomplishment, she’s also feeling a bit of stress because at this point she doesn’t really know what she wants to do for the rest of her life.
I tell her not to worry, no one does…not even the people who think they do. 
No, I know that’s not true. But it is true that while we’re being pushed to choose a career path earlier and earlier (I took my first career inventory in 7th grade! 
), as adults we’re less and less likely to stick to a single job for our entire lives.
(Source)
There are lots of reasons for this, but one of them is that we’re all just trying to find our passion.
If you already know what your passion is in life, that’s great! If you’re fortunate enough to be able to pursue that passion on an everyday basis, that’s amazing! But if you’re still trying to figure out what it is that makes you feel truly fulfilled, here are a few ideas for narrowing it down.
Four Tips for Finding Your Passion
1. Think about what excites you.
When you strip away all of your day-to-day duties and responsibilities, what does/would make you want to get out of bed in the morning? If you had an entire day to yourself, without a single obligation to someone else, what would you do?
2. Figure out your strengths.
It seems like the only time we think about our skills and talents is right before a job interview or performance evaluation. Take some time to think about what it is you’re really good at. Chances are you also find those activities gratifying; our passions often emerge from the combination of aptitude and enjoyment.
3. Assess your entertainment choices.
When you walk into Barnes & Noble, which section do you immediately go to? Which movies are on your Netflix list, and which television shows do you plan your week around? What magazines do you subscribe to? What websites do you browse, which blogs do you read? The answers to these questions can provide powerful insight into our passions.
4. What would you do if you let go of fear?
Sometimes we know what our passion is, but we won’t speak it aloud – or even admit it to ourselves – because we’re afraid. Afraid that our dream will seem ridiculous to others. Afraid that pursuing our passion is impossible. Afraid that if we try, we’ll fail. The first step in discovering your passion is envisioning yourself free of those fears.
Of course, turning a passion into reality – and finding ways to make a living doing it – is a whole different story. I don’t have much insight on that front…if I ever figure out a way to make enough money by writing, I’ll let you know! 
Do you know what your passion is? If so, what is it? Are you able to pursue it on a regular basis?
Themocracy
I can say that MOST college students, including myself, feel the same way as your cousin. After much contemplation, I came to the realization last year that I would be MISERABLE sitting at a desk job or doing anything law related (considered being a lawyer). I realized that the only reason I was pursuing a “corporate climber” path is because that is what society lead me to believe was the only way to be considered successful. To me success comes with happiness. Even if I was living pay check to pay check, I wouldn’t mind as long as I had passion for my work. After working part time in a grocery store bakery “just to make some money”, I discovered that my passion was for the food industry, and I hope one day to be able to do food marketing, travel, love and experience all the joys that life has to offer.
I love what you said about success coming with happiness! You’re totally right that society tells us that success has to do with money or prestige, but the truth is that it comes from following our true passions.
great quote! i believe i’ve found my passion, but i guess i’ll never know for sure until i get into the field and start working
. i want to be a nurse practitioner, it combines my love of medicine (and past dreams of becoming a doctor) with DIRECT patient contact that is lacking in health care these days, and the opportunity to do counseling, bc i also contemplated becoming a therapist!
I’m turning 30 this year and still looking for my passion. It’s a tough road!
This is one of the most enspiring blog-posts I’ve read so far! (And I read lots of blogs ;P)
I really hope I’ll find my passion soon, I feel so empty not pursuing what I love…
I know that’s a tough feeling, but I’m optimistic that you’ll find your passion soon!!!
I’m in the middle of figuring this out…it’s tough! I know the things I love, but finding a job that fulfills those isn’t easy to find.
Thanks for the tips
This was very helpful, especially the last one. From what i can tell so far, my passion is very much based on happiness and relationships, whether it be with drew (my fiance) or my friends, or my family, i really enjoy my relationships and hope that this can somehow use this and be able to explore more similar things that i am passionate about without being afraid. i find that often i am afraid that things that might be my passions or things of that nature are not “good enough” or my goals aren’t high enough. so that post was quite helpful.
love ya
This post was really helpful for me, especially right now as I am trying to write my speech for my college commencement ceremony (nerve-racking!) Thanks for posting
- Kelly @ A Local Foodie’s Fight
I’m sure your speech is going to be wonderful! My sister-in-law is actually graduating from American in May as well!