Are you passionate about your work – or if you’re an entrepreneur, about your primary business activity?
It’ll be much easier to be successful financially and professionally if you can combine your passions and your work. Many people would define a work-related passion as an activity they would pursue even if they didn’t get paid for it.
Many of us play it safe and choose a career or create a business based largely on practicality – what’s driving the market, what pays the bills, or what makes achieving our goals more “possible”. After all, it’s easier to find work as an accountant than as an artist, right?.
But it’s possible – I would say essential – to have both. You need to feed your spirit (some might say your soul) as much as you need to keep body and soul together by securing a safe, sheltered place to live, nutritious food to eat, the feeling that you are valued, and that the positive outcomes in life are yours for the earning.
Your answers to these questions will help you discover your passions, and may inspire you to make some necessary changes in the current direction of your life so that you can pursue that which fires you up, makes your heart sing, and helps your spirit expand and grow so that you can fly free:
- What do I like to do in my free time? Think about activities you keep coming back to – there’s a reason for that!
- What part of my current job (or business) would I be willing to do for free? What brings a smile to your face when you see it on your to-do list or your calendar, and what can’t you wait to get started on?
- When did I last have a hard time sleeping because I was so excited? For me, this is planning a sermon or presentation – I anticipate being in front of a group of people, and I get SO fired up!
- What would I do if I had unlimited time and resources? If money was no object, what would you do or be?
- As a child, what did I want to be when I grew up? My goal was to be a professional photographer and live in Paris – I still have “visit Paris” on my bucket list and I’ve invested in my photography as an advanced hobby most of my adult life because it brings me such pleasure.
- What issues in the world are most important to me? My “day job” is being a Registrar of Voters in my home city – that’s been important to me for my entire life, knowing the history of the struggle for women to receive the power of the vote, along with the fight for African-Americans to be able to vote.
- What is my greatest talent? Sometimes other people in your life can help you see this where you might not see it. I’ve been told for years that I should be a public speaker. My spirituality helped me pull that raw talent into my preaching as a minister.
- What would I be if I could be anything? Remember those dreams you had as a child – review and renew them and take some steps to move in that direction!
- What is exciting to me? What makes you smile and energizes you, just being involved in it?
- What do people thank me for? What seems easy for you and what you are celebrated for because it’s your passion, could provide new possibilities for your future.
- What are my 3 most important core values? What do you keep coming back to, and what truly matters to you? Check out my sermon on Core Values, Beliefs, and Spiritual Development.
- Who do I look up to? What activities are they involved in that inspire your admiration and desire to be like them or accomplish what they’ve accomplished?
- When do I consistently over-deliver? The tasks that you work the hardest on, get the most satisfaction from, or strive to be the best at are keys to your passions.
- On which topics am I willing to debate and argue? Know that “argue” doesn’t necessarily mean fight, but something you’re willing to advocate strongly for – like women’s rights, homeownership, or universal health care.
- What makes me come alive? For some people, it’s music – my husband is a professional percussionist and he’s rarely happier than when he’s playing with friends or with one of his bands.
- When I go to the bookstore, where do I spend most of my time? Fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, or how-to books – which ones could you spend hours happily ensconced in? These are also clues to your passions.
- What do I want to be remembered for or known for? I am striving to be remembered as someone who uplifted others – specifically, someone who brought increased self-esteem and self-confidence to women and who encouraged them to develop a spiritual practice and path that resonates in their souls.
- Which worldwide challenge would I solve if I could? There are likely opportunities to get involved with your chosen challenge on the local and regional level as you hone your skills and develop a deeper connection to your passion.
- What do my friends think would be the perfect job for me? Sometimes, those we love and those who love us see things differently – let your friends inspire you to see your skillset and talents in a new way.
As you answer all these questions, you’ll likely recognize a recurring theme that holds the key to your passion. Applying yourself in an area you’re passionate about will do wonders for your business, career, and finances.
You’ll find that the most successful people in the world love what they’re doing, and it brings far more benefits and opportunities for growth than challenges.
