How to identify your Passion?

Hello there! If you're new to my blog, I recommend checking out my previous post in the passion project series where I talked about How to Start your Passion Project. In this post, I will be sharing some tips on how to identify your passion.

Identifying your passion can be a key factor in unlocking a fulfilling and rewarding life. Passion varies from person to person and can be based on your experiences, upbringing, interests, and more. So, how do you identify your passion? Here are some tips to help you:

1. Explore Your Interests:

The first step to identifying your passion is to explore your interests. What topics or activities do you find yourself naturally drawn to? Make a list of everything that excites you, from hobbies to career fields. Don't limit yourself or worry about whether it's practical or not.

Some items from my list were learning to play guitar, swimming, reading, writing, craft activities such as scrap booking, origami, painting, drawing, sketching to name a few. The activity that stayed with me through all these years was teaching/coaching/mentoring, writing and organizing. All these skills helped me while I was working to be an Oracle Functional Consultant or running key departments of a manufacturing company. However, that was for a living. I wanted to write to help and guide others who are on a journey like myself. That is how this blog was born.

2. Try New Things:

Sometimes, we don't know what we're passionate about until we try it. Make a point to try new things, even if they seem outside of your comfort zone. Take a class, try a new sport, or attend a workshop. You might be surprised by what you discover.

I tried playing guitar. I wasn't bad at it but it felt like a chore than passion. I learned swimming as a child. I enjoyed this. I tried snorkeling recently in Thailand and I am so psyched about learning scuba diving in the future. I enjoy arts and crafts, so I am now also learning how to design digital products. However, one thing I kept coming back to was writing. I feel vulnerable and scared to put my words out there, but at the same time there is a rush of serotonin that provides happiness and satisfactions every time I put pen to paper (or in this case text into digital pages).

3. Pay Attention to What Makes You Lose Track of Time:

Think back to a time when you were so engrossed in a "productive" activity that you lost track of time. What were you doing? This can be a good clue as to what you're passionate about. When you're passionate about something, time seems to fly by because you're so engaged and absorbed in the activity.

4. Think About What You Would Do for Free:

If money wasn't an issue, what would you do? The answers to this simple yet complicated question often is a good indicator of what you're truly passionate about. Sometimes, our passions are things that we would do for free, just because we love doing them so much.

Passion comes in different forms. So do not shrug any skills off saying, "This isn't a big deal. Anybody can do it".

I am writing for free. This blog is my passion. However, as a consultant I created documents, trackers and presentations which got appreciated for its simplicity. I have used this passion to write work email where I explained concepts, answered queries, or display facts of a case. Passion comes in different forms.

5. Reflect on Your Childhood Dreams:

As children, we often have big dreams about what we want to be when we grow up. Take a moment to reflect on those childhood dreams. Is there something there that still resonates with you today? Maybe you dreamed of being an artist or a scientist, but you never pursued those passions because you were told they weren't practical or achievable.

I wanted to be a teacher, however, teaching a syllabus and managing so many children wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't know better at that young an age that I could teach adults.

6. Consider Your Values:

Our passions are often connected to our values. Think about what's important to you in life, whether it's creativity, social justice, or helping others. What activities or causes align with those values? Pursuing something that aligns with our values can give us a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Identifying your passion can be a process, and it's important to be patient and open-minded. Remember that it's never too late to pursue your passion, and it's okay if your passions change over time. Keep exploring and trying new things, and before you know it, you'll be on the path to a more fulfilling life.