Do you make your most important choices with your heart or your head? I've learned from working with many clients, that most folks allow their rational minds to take over much too soon in the career decision-making process. You must feel and see your passion first and then balance that vision with reason and intelligence to help you create an action plan to get you there.
Webster defines passion as “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.” Sound good? Ok, how do you uncover your passion?
Some of you may have had an “aha” or life changing moment that made you aware of a passion. Others discover their passions through intuition - an internal knowing that this is it. Others come to a gradual awareness through their experiences.
I came to an awareness of my passions through thinking about my favorite childhood activities and becoming aware of when I am ‘juiced” in my more recent activities. I enjoyed many solitary activities as a child and adolescent, I loved to sing and pretend I was “teacher.” I was an avid reader and gravitated towards books that discussed self discovery, how people choose careers, and inspirational material. Sure enough, these are some of my passions!
I came to understand, through several work experiences, that I am happiest when I have plenty of alone and quiet time in my work to write and create. And then I'd have a desire to share the information with others, to both serve them and to help me integrate the new things I'd learned at a deeper level.
Today I take what I've learned and teach it to others through coaching and my teleclasses. When I'm on these calls, I'm in the flow – time seems to stop – I don't need to work hard- I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. At the end of the call, I'm pumped up and full of energy – a sure sign I'm doing something I love. Passion!
So consider where you are today. What do you like about your current work? Dislike? What is pleasing to you in your living and work environments? Are you living YOUR life? Ask others around you if they notice what it is you are doing or talking about when your face really lights up.
Then take a peek into the future. If you could live an ideal life what would it look like? What are you doing for a living? As you come up with a list of potential passions, begin to experiment with them. Put your toe in the water by doing an activity related to your potential passion. Pay attention. What is it about the activity that excites you?
So commit yourself to taking one step this week towards reconnecting with your passion.
