Find Your Passion
Tag: Passions
Your Goals, Your Passions-Epilogue
We have come to the end of 5 segments on discovering you, your goals, your passions.
Now what? Now, you take what you have read, and any exercise you have completed and can use, and start to follow your journey.
Start today.
If you have done the reading, then there is no barrier to stop you. Just be patient and do one small step at a time. “Small successes drives motivation.” Let your small successes be your inspiration to continue your journey.
May your journey’s end find you fulfilled. Best of luck to you.
DH
Your Goals, Your Passions Pt 5
This last article is perhaps the longest and has some questions to answer as you read. Very thought provoking. Enjoy.
How to Find Your Purpose in Life
wikihow.com/Find-Your-Purpose-in-Life
This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011.
Interviewing yourself can help you identify what matters to you. How can you know what you really want if you don’t ask yourself about it? Being confident in your passions, hopes, and values can help you find your purpose. Take a few moments to ask yourself some of these questions to learn more about yourself:
- When have you been happiest in your life?
- What has made you truly proud of yourself?
- What qualities do you most admire in other people?
- What makes you feel alive and energized?
- How happy do you feel on an everyday basis?
- If you had one week to live, how would you spend that week?
- What shoulds are overriding your wants?
- If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
- What one change could make your life happier?
Explore your passions.
Trying new things can help you understand what brings you joy. Think about what you enjoy spending the most time doing. Perhaps you like singing, being in nature, cooking, working out, writing, or performing well at work. The things you love to do are your passions. Diving headfirst into hobbies or other things you enjoy can help you find meaning in life.
- More often than not, your passions are activities that you often lose track of time while doing.
- Focus on what makes you happy rather than the materialistic or societal value of something. Your true passions ultimately fill your heart with joy.
Join a club or cause.
Putting yourself out there can help you find a purpose in life. Think about your interests or passions, then join a social club or cause surrounding that activity or thing. This is an excellent way to meet new people and motivate you to be involved in your community or do something important.
- For instance, if you’re passionate about animals, consider joining a cause to end deforestation.
- If you value safety, join the neighborhood watch.
Think about your future.
- Imagining yourself 30 years from now can help you determine your goals. Backward planning is the idea of thinking ahead to plan for the present. Take a moment to imagine yourself at 50, 70, or 80 years old. What’s your job? Are you in a relationship? Where are you living? Now, think about what you can do to reach that point right now.
- For example, say you picture yourself at 80 years old, surrounded by great-grandchildren, happily retired after a successful career helping your community, and living in your own home with a lot of land. This image means you want a family, a career helping others, and to live independently in a rural setting.
Write a personal vision statement.
- Identifying your core values can help you envision your future. Take a moment to write down your hopes, dreams, and goals—what do you want to accomplish in life? Now, hang this paper somewhere you’ll always see it (like on the fridge or above your bed). Use this simple statement as a reminder to work towards your goals and discover your life’s purpose.
- A personal vision statement describes your values, strengths, and goals.
- Know that your purpose or statement doesn’t have to revolve around one thing—it’s not absolute! Your statement can explore multiple interests, passions, or dreams.
- Your personal vision statement could say something like, “I envision a future where I’m a successful entrepreneur with my own business,” “My vision is to live a life where I can prioritize my physical and emotional health while raising a family,” or “I want to become a successful writer and move out of my parent’s house.”
- Not sure what your values or goals are? That’s okay! Ask a friend to describe you or take some time to clear your head by meditating or going on a nature walk.
Read more, Learn more.
- Reading is a great way to discover more about yourself. Reading can also help you explore your curiosities and learn new things. A fiction book can bring you to fantastical worlds and ignite your imagination, whereas a nonfiction book can open your eyes to new perspectives. Studies also show that reading improves empathy and creative and critical thinking skills. So, grab a book and dive in. Who knows? You may resonate with a character’s drive and find your own purpose within the pages.
- Consider joining a book club in your community to meet new people and broaden your reading range.
- Find book recommendations on social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) to discover new and exciting titles.
- Ask a librarian or bookseller for recommendations if you’re not sure what to read next.
Spend time with people who uplift you.
- Hanging out with inspiring people can help you thrive. Who you surround yourself with can greatly impact your life. So, spend time with people who bring out the best in you! Make friends with people who have a realistic and positive outlook on life and aren’t afraid to chase their dreams. Who knows? You may just learn your life’s purpose through them.
- Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. The more people you meet, the more perspectives you’ll encounter; the more perspectives you encounter, the more you’ll learn about life.
- Similarly, think about public figures who inspire you—if you could be anyone, who would you be? This could be a celebrity, world leader, or historical figure you admire. What could you do in your life to be as inspirational as them?
Keep a journal.
- Journaling helps you identify your beliefs, goals, and passions. Create a dedicated journal to write down all your thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Letting your emotions flood onto the page can be extremely therapeutic and give you insight into what you want or need most in life—helping you find your life’s purpose.
- For instance, you might write about what you want to do after school—what are your hopes and dreams for the future, and how can you achieve them?
- Be open and honest when you write. The more honest you are with yourself, the more likely you are to grow.
- Don’t worry about how your writing sounds or looks. This journal is just for you.
Develop a growth mindset.
- Challenging yourself to change can help you find your purpose. Embracing change and facing challenges is all a part of growing up, and you can’t find your life’s purpose without a bit of growth. If you have a growth mindset, you believe that hard work and dedication help you become the best version of yourself. Understanding that life is full of learning experiences can help you identify what matters most to you. To develop a growth mindset:
- Look at challenges or obstacles as new learning opportunities.
- Accept feedback and criticism with an open mind.
- Keep moving forward even if you fail.
Practice self-acceptance.
- Learning to accept your limitations can help you make smarter life goals. Being aware of what you can and can’t do is a great way to understand what your life purpose may be. Self-acceptance is all about accepting yourself as you are—faults and all. No one’s perfect, and the sooner you accept that, the faster you can give meaning to your life.
- Believe that you’re worthy of joy and happiness. You can receive and enjoy good things that come your way.
- Know that it’s okay just to be okay. You don’t have to be exceptional at everything.
- Shut down societal norms and follow the beat of your own drum. You don’t need to do everything the same way everyone else does.
Make time for self-care.
- Taking care of yourself inside and out can push you toward your purpose. How can you fill someone else’s cup without filling your own first? Spending time and money on yourself can help you thrive physically and mentally. Do things that bring you joy on a daily basis to practice self-care. The happier you are, the easier it’ll be to determine what you’re meant to do in life.
- Go for a walk around the block or schedule a time to go to the gym with a friend.
- Cook yourself a nice meal after a long day.
- Read a book before bed to unwind.
- Make time to chat with a friend or family member during the weekend.
Give back to your community.
- Helping others can broaden your perspective on life. Everyone walks in different shoes, and helping others is a great way to help yourself. Look for opportunities in your community to lend a helping hand. Performing random acts of kindness can help you practice gratitude and discover what you want most in life.
- Volunteer at your local soup kitchen, hospital, or animal shelter.
- Ask a neighbor if they need help mowing their lawn or getting groceries.
- Bring a loved one baked treats if they’re sick or feeling low.
Focus less on pleasing others.
- Trying to make other people happy could hinder your overall purpose. Even if you determine that your life purpose is about helping others, do so without sacrificing your own needs. Try not to worry about what other people think—you don’t have to please them! Focus on making decisions and choices that match your purpose, not those around you.
- Know that even if your goal is to bring happiness to yourself and others, meeting the immediate demands of others won’t help you fulfill your purpose—your purpose comes from within you.
- At the end of the day, follow your own path, not someone else’s.
What a beautiful way to wrap up this series. Oh, there is one more page for you to view, an epilogue.
Your Goals, Your Passions Pt 4
Finding the why
You need to identify what’s at stake.
I often reflect on how blessed I am to work the way I’ve always wanted to — independently, and why I do what I do as a creative entrepreneur. I confess, I think about the why a lot.
Notice I said think instead of wonder why. I’ve moved way past the question, “Why am I doing this?” I know why, and rather than trying to figure that out, I simply need to remind myself of it!
What is the Why?
Your Why is that deep-down, personal motivation for what you do.
The thing I’ve learned and will pass on to you is this: Until you identify your Whys, you won’t be able to get clear about your What’s and How’s.
For example, my Whys include freedom. Freedom is one of my primary motivators, both professionally and personally. Freedom – the ability to do the work I want to do and choose who I work with, to set my own schedules, to go where I want to when I want to, to integrate and balance work and family life — is a big reason I chose to be self-employed. I was a salaried employee several times during my school years, but it just didn’t fit. There were times since launching my freelance business when I seriously considered returning to a salaried position, but I kept coming back to the freedom issue. That Why, among others, has kept me moving forward and on track.
Until you identify your Whys, you won’t be able to get clear
about your What’s and How’s.
Why is finding your Why important?
If you don’t discover your Why, your chances of success are slim. Any worthy goal will meet with resistance. If you have lofty goals for your life (hopefully you do), you will go against the tide along the way. You’ll experience engine trouble, flat tires, detours and traffic jams (using the Road Trip vernacular). You might even crash. The only motivator you will have for pushing through the roadblocks is your Why.
What is that destination you need to get to? Why does it matter?
The secret of the Why is that it is personal to you. It’s not about being helpful to others, although that should be a result. Your Why is all about what’s in it for you. If you don’t have a stake in it, it’s not your Why.
For each of your goals and destinations, there exists a Why. You don’t need to fabricate it because it already exists. You simply need to discover it.
How to find your Why: 3 Action Steps You Can Do This Week
Set aside the better part of an hour this week to do the following. Be sure you’re writing, doodling or drawing in some form and not just thinking.
1. Write down 3 specific goals you want to accomplish in the next 12 months.
Be specific, so that they’re measurable (you will know when you’ve accomplished them), and include a due date. For example:
Over the next 12 months, I will read 12 books about business and marketing.
I will send one marketing email per month to 25 prospective clients for the next 12 months.
In the next 60 days, I will invite 5 entrepreneurs to join me for coffee so that I can pick their brains.
Be sure you make your goals relevant to you.
2. For each goal, identify and list 3-5 personal motivations.
Why does this matter? Why is it important to me? What is at stake?
You’re not listing tasks here. Your focus is on the Whys. For example:
Goal: In the next 60 days, I will invite 5 entrepreneurs to join me for coffee so that I can pick their brains.
– Because I need to get to know people who have successful businesses because I want to learn how to build a successful business so that I can quit my job.
– Because I need to make professional connections who will be good resources for new business referrals, because I want to expand my client base and get better clients so that I don’t have to chase payments.
– Because I want to brainstorm my ideas with people I trust who are not in my field, because I don’t know on my own if there’s a market for my ideas, and I want my ideas to create success for me because I need to earn money to pay down my student loan debt.
If you cannot think of at least 3 personal motivations for each of your specific goals, carefully consider if it is indeed the right goal. Your reasons should be both emotionally and intellectually compelling.
You can do this exercise for any goal, personal or business.
3. Prioritize the motivations from most to least important.
Now, put your list in an easily accessible place so that you can review it weekly.
That’s it. It’s pretty simple.
There is much at stake if you don’t plan your steps and set your goals. You will not take those steps without being motivated to do so. As you take those steps, you will experience resistance. Remembering your motivations – your Whys – will propel you forward in spite of opposition.
Article By Alvalyn Lundgren @alvalynlundgren.com
Image by Dreamstime
Ready for part 5? Here you go:
Your Goals, Your Passions Pt 5
Your Goals, Your Passions Pt 3
Understand your values in life to then determine your goals.
How to Find Your Goals
There’s a lot of information out there about how to achieve your goals. Much useful education about how to stay motivated, how to focus on your dreams and not be distracted by failure and setbacks. But that all assumes that you know what you want out of life, that you already have goals you’re eager to achieve. Recently, in response to a comment I made about pursuing one’s goals on The Change Blog, I got a poignant reply that asked, “But what if you haven’t found anything worth doing, any goal worth pursuing?”
Great question – focus is wonderful, but if we aren’t looking at the right things how useful is it? Sure, we can learn from failure, but what do we do with those lessons if we’re not really doing anything? How can we find out where we should be looking for our satisfaction in life?
Here are 4 steps to take to help you find your goals:
Step 1 – Make a list of what’s important to you.
Do it quickly and without censoring – it’s ok if your list includes your cat or your new shoes. Your choices reflect a snapshot of your life right now and don’t need to be lofty or impressive. Here’s my quick list (in no particular order): my daughter, my friends, writing, coaching, my house, my central heating, my cat, my favorite TV shows (blush), learning, my blog.
Step 2 – Ask “Why is this important?” for each item on your list.
Here are my answers:
My daughter because she is my contribution to the world at the most basic level and because she’s fun, loving and makes me happy.
My friends because they support me, teach me, and make me laugh.
Writing and my blog because they ignite my passion, and I feel like I’m able to help people with them. And they’re fun!
Coaching because I’m helping my clients live better and clearer lives.
My house because it provides me with a beautiful and safe place to be.
My central heating because it keeps me warm and comfortable.
My favorite TV shows because they take me to places where life is silly and adventurous and because they often provide me with a fascinating glimpse into human nature.
Learning because it makes me a better person and helps me grow.
Step 3 – Use your answers to identify your values.
Look for themes in your answers. When you read over your list, what pops out at you? What shows up more than once? Are there items that have something in common? I see the following themes in my list: contribution, fun & laughter, learning, helping people, comfort.
The themes we identify reflect our values and what’s most important to us in our lives. And this is where goal setting should begin.
Step 4 – Use your values to set your goals.
The goals that inspire you most will be based on your values, on what’s really important to you. You might already be working on some of them – I’ve set clear goals around my writing and am beginning to revamp my coaching practice. But when I look at my list, I realize that I’m not putting much effort to making sure that I have enough fun and laughter in my life right now, so I might want to set a goal to find more ways to play.
When you set your goals:
Make your goals bite-sized
A goal of “Learn the skills I need for my next promotion” sounds achievable, while a goal of “Become CEO by the time I’m 30” is probably going to set you up for failure.
Make your goals positive
You should work toward what you want, not away from what you don’t want. “I want to find a loving partner” inspires while “I don’t want to be lonely anymore” already feels defeated.
Be flexible
Realize that as you work toward your goals they’ll probably change – As we learn and grow from the work we do to move toward our goals we often connect with new, more resonant goals. After I set up my coaching practice, I started writing newsletters to attract more clients. But I found that I loved writing as much as I loved coaching, and my goal shifted from attracting clients to creating a blog.
The bottom line is that when our goals tap into the beauty and energy of our values, they make our hearts sing. They feed our hungers; we can’t wait to get started working on them. So, my answer to the reader who asked about finding a goal worth pursuing is that the answer is in your heart, it’s in your longings, it’s in the things you want more of.
Source: possibilitychange.com
Keep reading, keep learning by viewing part 4 in this series about goals: