24
Jan 2024
How Do I Find My Passion in Life ?

Let  me taste tester …… world here I come !

 

 

 

 

I have had a number of jobs and careers  in my life . I think from the 90’s  onwards we were starting to see people experiment a lot more with courses, and pathways to careers. I remember when I was doing my Arts degree the attitude was , that you can’t do much with it . I decided to see a career counsellor at the university I was attending. The career counsellor’s advice ?  and I quote , “With an Arts degree you could probably go into anything ?’  I kid you NOT !! Really ? Who is paying this guy for his pearls of wisdom? .

My mum would periodically ask me what I was going to do when  I finished. I  use to get cross with her as I felt pressured  and I just could not think past my next essay at the time . I really was stalling and doing my Arts Degree was a way to avoid making what I thought was a massive WHOLE life decision . Its rubbish though isn’t it ?

One of my clients who is going through a very difficult grieving period,  told me adding to that , he felt pressured to make a decision about his future . He was in in Year 11 ! Honestly, I cannot believe that teachers are fear mongering as readily and as feistily  and they did back in 1985 . Who says you need to know ? Are we all on some giant global schedule that ticks away like a woman’s biological clock ?  Hey if you don’t get on the career bandwagon now , you are going to be left behind. Behind whom ? I’m not in some race with anyone except myself so who cares how long it takes me  to get there or how I get there for that matter . How are you supposed to know when you’ve had limited experience or exposure to  the many colours and configurations of life  anyway ?

 

The only way to find your passion is to sample and explore by trying different pathways.

We also know that finding  your passion in life is a personal journey that involves self-reflection, exploration, and a willingness to try new things. When people say to me that they don’t even know where to start  that journey ,then I suggest that they start by looking at their past experiences .

  1. Reflect on Your Interests:

 

What have you done through your life that you have “ lost time doing it “. This may not be a job or a school subject , it might be a hobby or an interest . It may not even be a tangible activity . It  may be more abstract or just  a pastime like I enjoy working out maths problems in my head, or I like playing with my niece and nephew . Thinking more deeply about “ where you lose sense of time “ is the key to tapping into your authentic self. Those moments when you are fully present in your space.

  1. Explore New Activities:

– Be open to trying new activities or pursuing interests you haven’t explored before. Attend workshops, classes, or events related to different fields to see what resonates with you. There are a lot of free trials you can do for singing lessons, drama classes, karate , jewellery making , anything really . Mr Google is your friend !

 

  1. Identify Your Strengths:

Being someone who did not get a lot of praise as a child I had no idea what I would be good it , so this part of the process was hard for me . Asking others what they think you are good at or what your strengths are as a friend, mum , dad, sister may help you to tap into some ideas or direction.

– Reflect on your strengths and skills. What are you naturally good at? Passion often aligns with our strengths, so identifying them can provide valuable insights into potential areas of interest. Don’t let parts of the pathway put you off either. I was always interested in psychology but when I heard that second year psychology was full of statistics I was so put off . I am useless at maths and did not want to do anymore after passing my first year Psychology stats exam by the skin of my teeth . Very proud of my skin though !

I also was put off when I wanted to do Drama as a subject but couldn’t because you had to have a certain ATAR score to get into the course ! This puzzled me , as if to say that acting is an academic pursuit ? Hardly ! With my vast array of huge emotions and gregarious personality I would have been great , no problem with me being emotionally expressive lol.

 

  1. Consider What Comes Naturally:

– Think about activities that come easily to you or that you lose track of time doing. Sometimes, your passion is closely tied to things that feel effortless because they align with your natural inclinations. I was a great diary writer and I even considered doing journalism but the only course available in Adelaide to me, was once again contingent on knowing  a lot about politics ? Ok yep there is no other type of journalism but political. Oh boy have we come a long, long way in 30 years.

 

  1. Connect with Your Values:

– Consider your core values and beliefs. What matters most to you in life? Aligning your passion with your values can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Do you belong to a children’s charity or an environmental group, or a political party ? Do you like getting your hands dirty in the garden or you help clean up the neighbourhood ? Do you have a strong sense of justice or interest in changing laws ?

 

All of these could be potential signs of where your values lie . Do you have a strong sense of justice or interest in changing laws ?

 

  1. Pay Attention to Feedback:

– Listen to feedback from others. Sometimes, friends, family, or colleagues may notice your talents or interests that you haven’t fully recognized.

 

7.Think About Childhood Dreams:

– Reflect on your childhood dreams and aspirations. Sometimes, our childhood interests and dreams hold clues to our true passions. I used to sit on the toilet pretending I was hosting a kids show , ironically out of university that was my first job !

 

  1. Journaling:

– Keep a journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Document moments when you feel particularly engaged, excited, or fulfilled. Over time, patterns may emerge.

 

  1. Networking and Informational Interviews:

– Connect with people in different fields through networking or informational interviews. Learn about their careers and experiences and consider whether any aspects resonate with you.

 

  1. Take Personality and Strengths Assessments:

– Consider taking personality assessments or strengths tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or StrengthsFinder. These tools can provide insights into your personality and strengths, helping you identify potential areas of passion.

 

  1. Be Patient and Persistent:

– Finding your passion is a process that may take time. Be patient with yourself and stay persistent in exploring new things. It’s okay if you don’t discover your passion immediately. Some people take years to find their place in this world , and that’s ok. No education or job for that matter is wasted whatever you pursue , and these days you can try so many different pathways to achieve a particular career end and you can also use  module credits and Recognised Prior Learning to fast track once you know where you want to be . Many seemingly mundane and qualification free Jobs have many transferable skills.

 

  1. Seek Professional Guidance:

– If you’re struggling to identify your passion, consider seeking guidance from career counsellors, life coaches, or mentors. They can provide valuable insights and support in the discovery process. I am sure they are a lot better than the counsellor I encountered in 1983 !!

Remember that passion can evolve over time, and it’s okay to have multiple interests. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, stay curious, and be open to the possibilities that life presents.

Happy Passion hunting !

nephew . Thinking more deeply about “ where you lose sense of time “ is the key to tapping into your authentic self. Those moments when you are fully present in your space.

 

All of these could be potential signs of where your values lie . Do you have a strong sense of justice or interest in changing laws ?

 

  1. Pay Attention to Feedback:

– Listen to feedback from others. Sometimes, friends, family, or colleagues may notice your talents or interests that you haven’t fully recognized.

 

7.Think About Childhood Dreams:

– Reflect on your childhood dreams and aspirations. Sometimes, our childhood interests and dreams hold clues to our true passions. I used to sit on the toilet pretending I was hosting a kids show , ironically out of university that was my first job !

 

  1. Journaling:

– Keep a journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Document moments when you feel particularly engaged, excited, or fulfilled. Over time, patterns may emerge.

 

  1. Networking and Informational Interviews:

– Connect with people in different fields through networking or informational interviews. Learn about their careers and experiences and consider whether any aspects resonate with you.

 

  1. Take Personality and Strengths Assessments:

– Consider taking personality assessments or strengths tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or StrengthsFinder. These tools can provide insights into your personality and strengths, helping you identify potential areas of passion.

 

  1. Be Patient and Persistent:

– Finding your passion is a process that may take time. Be patient with yourself and stay persistent in exploring new things. It’s okay if you don’t discover your passion immediately. Some people take years to find their place in this world , and that’s ok. No education or job for that matter is wasted whatever you pursue , and these days you can try so many different pathways to achieve a particular career end and you can also use  module credits and Recognised Prior Learning to fast track once you know where you want to be . Many seemingly mundane and qualification free Jobs have many transferable skills.

 

  1. Seek Professional Guidance:

– If you’re struggling to identify your passion, consider seeking guidance from career counsellors, life coaches, or mentors. They can provide valuable insights and support in the discovery process. I am sure they are a lot better than the counsellor I encountered in 1983 !!

Remember that passion can evolve over time, and it’s okay to have multiple interests. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, stay curious, and be open to the possibilities that life presents.

For those of you curious  my incarnations have been…..

Waitress , TV host , Theatre Performer, Drama Teacher, Incursion Presenter, Youth Worker and Counsellor … THE BEST ONE YET !!!!!

Happy Passion hunting !