How to find your passion in life?

Do you remember what it felt like to be a child doing whatever you wanted? The freedom and joy of finding something you love and doing it for no other reason than because you enjoyed it? Have you realised that life isn't as fun as it used to be? Have you ever typed "how to find my passion" into Google?

As kids with a long list of hobbies and interests and as adults, we maybe find the time to squeeze one or two activities around our career and family and other commitments. As we grow up, we tend to lose this freedom to follow our passion in the same way. We end up doing what we should and ignore our passions.

We often find ourselves living without passion because we have obligations, and we feel we need to see to these before we can follow our passion. But it isn't true.

Some people seem to live a life where they are passionate about everything they do. We've all met someone who lives a life full of joy and energy and a passion and love for life. So why can't we all live like that? Why can't we all figure out our passion and follow it to a fulfilled life?

We can! You can! Finding your passion in life doesn't have to be complicated, and I'm here to show you how to find your passion, how to follow your passion and how to ensure your life is fulfilling.

Why try to identify your passion in life?

You've probably heard the phrase "follow your passion" enough to gag. After all, with so much to do, isn't seeking your passion a bit... irresponsible?

But have you ever stopped to think why finding your passion in life seems so important to so many people?

Here's the reality: It's not just a catchy self-help mantra; it's a fundamental aspect of living a fulfilling and purposeful life.

When you discover and then pursue your passion, you'll suddenly tap into a surge of energy, creativity, and motivation that can literally transform every aspect of your existence.

When you've lost sight of your whole life passion

First, let's consider what happens when you lack passion in your life. You might feel stuck in a monotonous routine, dragging yourself through each day without any real sense of excitement or purpose.

Your work feels like a chore, your free time lacks meaning, and you can't shake off the feeling that there's something more out there for you. Does this sound like I've read out of your own personal journal?

When you uncover your true passion

Now, let's flip the script. Now imagine waking up every day bursting with enthusiasm for what lies ahead. Okay, maybe you're not THAT exuberant, but there's something different about how you view life.

Now, you're eager to dive into your projects. You feel a deep sense of fulfilment and alignment with your true self. This is what life can be like when you know how to find your passion and integrate it into your daily existence.

1. When you're passionate about your work, you're more likely to excel and stand out in your career.
2. Your enthusiasm can be contagious, inspiring those around you and attracting like-minded individuals.
3. Pursuing your passions can reduce stress and increase overall well-being.
4. When you're driven by passion, you're better equipped to overcome obstacles and bounce back from setbacks.

But how do you find passion in life if it's not immediately obvious? The journey to discovering your passion is a deeply personal one, and it often requires patience, self-reflection, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.

It's about reconnecting with that childlike sense of wonder and curiosity that you may have lost touch with over the years.

What is your passion, and what isn't your passion? Where do you spend your free time?

When we talk about having passion in life, we don't mean enjoying a hobby two evenings a week. Enjoying a personal interest, practising a skill or improving a talent can be fun, and you might well be passionate about it. But as you will likely spend most of your life working and progressing your career, you need to find your passion in this sense.

Your professional passion means finding something to do for work that you genuinely really love and enjoy. Initially, it may not be something you are very good at or something you have trained for, but if you are genuinely passionate about it, this is what truly matters.

You know what they say: If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.

But so few people manage to achieve this sense of contentment in their professional life. Most people end up working on a career that makes money but they don't enjoy or do something they are good at because they mistake being good for being passionate.

Of course, a few lucky people have a passion they are good at and make them money. But your passion isn't just a job you can do well. You may get satisfaction from doing well, but chances are, it doesn't ignite your imagination and get your metaphorical fire going.

Now, you can be one of those people.

Why your passion is probably right in front of you

The thing is, we usually lose track of our passion. As children, we tend to be passionate about a lot of things. Ask a kid what they love, and they'll give you a mile-long list, including dinosaurs, firefighters, dogs, bugs, a TV show, the beach, video games, rocks, pillow fights… the list goes on. But we lose this as we grow up. We start to prioritise our careers and moving forward in life because more important than enjoying life.

Many people revert to childhood interests in their free time while they work on their careers. But you can create space for a business career and a passion, or maybe it's the same thing! But chances are, you never really forgot what you loved when you were young.

If you are someone who had passions as a child but pushed them aside as you grew and got a job, I'd be willing to bet you never really gave it up. Maybe you gave up playing the sport but still follow it online, or your social media is flooded with images of cupcakes you used to love baking. Chances are, your passions are right in front of you; you just need to rediscover them.

What's getting in the way of passion-led personal satisfaction?

When figuring out how to find your true passions, the journey isn't always smooth sailing. Many people encounter roadblocks in their passion-seeking that stop them in their tracks - fear of leaving their current job, having enough money to live, knowing what the right track is... the list goes on and on.

Do you relate to any of these core fears?

1. Fear of failure: You're afraid to pursue your passion because you might not succeed - whether that's in your personal life or in your career advancement.
2. Societal pressure: You feel pressured to follow a "conventional" path rather than your true interests.
3. Overwhelmed by too many options: You have multiple interests and don't know how to narrow them down.
4. Lack of time: Your busy schedule leaves no room for passion-finding activities.
5. Financial concerns: You worry that pursuing your passion won't pay the bills.
6. Perfectionism: You're waiting for the "perfect" passion to reveal itself.
7. Self-doubt: You question whether you have any passions at all.
8. Comparing yourself to others: You feel discouraged because others seem to have it all figured out.
9. Lack of self-awareness: You're not sure what truly excites or motivates you.
10. Fear of change: You're comfortable in your current situation, even if it's not fulfilling.

Remember, these obstacles are common, and many people face them when trying to find their passion. The key is to be patient with yourself and persistent in your exploration. If you're wondering how to find your passion, start by acknowledging these challenges and actively working to overcome them.

Steps to finding your passion

So, how to find your passion in life? If you read this far and feel that you lack passion or you want to find a way to get back to what you love, you should take some time to reconnect and find your passion again. It isn't always easy to figure out your passion, and sometimes we need a little push to put in the effort and make it happen.

Here are some top tips to help you find your passion in life without overthinking!

1: Get out of your comfort zone

Almost nobody finds their passion in their comfort zone. Being passionate isn't about being safe and comfortable. You need to discover what makes you feel alive and is a little bit scary.

How do you feel when you create something new, pursue an idea outside the box, or take a risk that pays off? If you already know what you are passionate about but your fear is holding you back, pushing out of your comfort zone can help you to pursue your passions.

You also need to try new things if you don't already know what your passion is. Try a new class, develop new skills, accept a new position or travel somewhere new to push yourself out of your comfort zone and discover something to be passionate about. Heck - schedule a meeting with a friendly life coach who will give you that push you need to just do the thing.

2: Be a little irrational

When it comes to finding your passion, you shouldn't be using the rational part of your brain. Your passion isn't something you should limit with rationality. You need to believe the sky is the limit and push yourself to be a little irrational. Often, your passions will come into direct conflict with the boring, sensible part of your business, jobs, and the 9 to 5. You need to push aside the adult desire to limit yourself to be reasonable.

Therefore, your passion should be something you dream about and doesn't have to be totally realistic. Try to think about all the things that feel boring and sensible to your inner child. It helps to make a list and remember that these things shouldn't get in the way of your passions. You can use the list to help remind you of what is important and what shouldn't get in the way of your pursuing something you love.

It's okay to want to have it all.

3: Change your habits

The daily commute, early alarm, morning traffic, and quick lunch break can make even the most exciting business career boring. If you get stuck in a daily routine, it's a speedy way to kill any passion you may have.

If you have already found your passion or are still looking, try to shake up your routine. Waking up extra early to work out before work instead of after, asking for a longer lunch break, and working remotely on occasion can help shake you up.

By changing your daily habits, you'll be able to notice where your mind switches off and disengages. It'll also draw attention to any bad habits you might have, which could be getting in the way and stifling your creativity.

For example, if you're not getting enough sleep, drinking too much coffee or alcohol, or spending all your free time on social media, switching up your routine can help you get out of a rut and refocus your mind on what you love.

4: Accept judgement

With so many people unable to find their passion, watching someone else live a passionate life can be challenging. Part of finding passion is accepting that others will judge you. Often, other people's judgement is why we lose our passions in the first place. Miserable people love to make sure others are miserable as well. If you can be happy doing something you love, you will attract others who will seek to drag you down.

You need to accept that judgment will come your way. Other people may call you foolish or claim that it won't last. Ignoring these judgments and staying focused on your own little world can help you rise above judgment from a person who probably doesn't have their own passion.

Try making a list of the people whose opinions matter to you, the people you would go to for advice. When you hear judgment, remember that if they aren't on that list, they don't matter.

5: Refocus your perspective

To find your passions in life, you need to be open to passion. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people lack passion because they aren't willing to accept it. Most human beings want to feel safe, and sometimes, passion involves doing illogical things and accepting some risks.

To feel excitement again, you need your world to be exciting, which means you have to discover other things and try something new and take a bit of a risk.

Have an open mind to new ideas and keep your eyes open for things that make you feel passionate. Task yourself to make a list at the end of each day of all the fun, exciting things that made you feel good. Focus on how many little ways you can invite passion into your world.

It could be something new in your business or fun new hobbies. But the desire to seek out passion is a critical step in welcoming things you love back into your daily routine.

6. Stop thinking and start feeling

Passion is meaningful, but it doesn't always have meaning. You need to feel what gives you energy and excitement rather than overthinking it. No matter how much you think about it and analyse it, this should really be a job for your heart, not your head.

Even if you want to discover your career passion that will have some practical elements, you need to let go with your mind and feel what's right with your heart.

Imagine your dream life and then get out of your head and go after the things that feel good and feel right, not the things you think are right. Sometimes, you need to let go a little bit to find passion. If you're worried about going too far and forgetting all the practical stuff, talking to trusted friends can help. Ask them to keep an eye on you so you can focus on new ideas without worrying.

7. Find your limit

Just because you are passionate about something that can make money, doesn't mean you have to turn your passion into your job. After all, your life doesn't have to revolve around business! It's nice when your job is your passion, but many people choose to keep their passion as a hobby or extra activity.

If you want to keep your passion as something you do in your free time, you should think about how much you are willing to sacrifice to continue with your passion. Think about the limits you will go to in order to continue your passion non-professionally.

What if the passion I find isn't the right fit?

In my work as a London life coach, I spend a lot of time with those who seek guidance on passion-finding. Here's a common worry that comes up nearly every time:

"I've done the work, explored my interests, and think I've found my passion - but what if it turns out to be the wrong choice?"

First, take a deep breath. Finding your passion isn't about making a single, unchangeable decision. In fact, there's no such thing as a failed passion! It's about taking that first step to find those valuable insights that lead you to the place in life that you all the time thus far has led to.

Here are some of my tips for navigating the passion process:

It's okay to change course

Your interests and passions can shift over time. Congrats! You're human!! What excites you now might not be the same in a few years, and that's perfectly normal.

Look for the transferable elements

There's a hint of truth in everything. Even if the specific passion isn't the right fit, there may be aspects of it that you genuinely enjoy. Maybe that mindfulness practice you used can lead you to the next big passion.

Treat every part as a learning experience

Every pursuit, even if it doesn't work out, teaches you something about yourself. Use these insights to refine your search. Think of it like any other type of life or career advice - sometimes you just chew up the meat and spit out the bones.

Consider passion combinations

Sometimes, true fulfillment comes from combining multiple interests rather than focusing on just one. Remember that you want to find fun that intersects with your core values - and that may look different over time.

Give it time and stay open to possibilities

Passion often grows with mastery. If you're unsure, try sticking with it a bit longer. You might find your enthusiasm grows as you become more skilled. Most importantly, keep exploring. You never know when a new opportunity might spark unexpected joy.

Remember, the goal isn't to find the "perfect" passion, but to lead a fulfilling life. It's okay to have multiple passions or to change direction.

Your passion doesn't have to be your skill

"What if my passion doesn't quite fit my work environment?"

No worries!

As you journey to rediscover your passion, it's important to remember that just because you are passionate, doesn't mean you have to be talented. That's not the point.

Of course, spending more time on something will see you improve, but you don't need to be the best. The point is to focus on what brings you joy, energy, happiness and motivation every day. It's not about winning a trophy or making money. Being passionate is a form of success in itself.

Plenty of people create new ways to be passionate. For example, if you are passionate about tennis, you don't have to go pro as a player. You could coach children, set up a tennis school, open a tennis store or even become a tennis commentator. There are plenty of ways to involve yourself in your passions.

Need help with how to find passion?

If you are looking for more ways to find your passion or are struggling to feel excited or interested in your daily routine, you can speak to a professional. As the UK's top life coach, I help people uncover secret passions, give advice, and work to help them feel fulfilled and build a meaningful life. Talking to a coach can help identify what you love, and we can work to create a plan to make fundamental changes and live a happier life.

Get in touch if you'd like to talk about how to find your passion and turning something you enjoy into a job or find out how to make more time for the things you enjoy.