Kick Off 2019 With 5 Ways to Identify and Follow Your True Passion

As you reflect on this past year, you'll think about the changes that took place from your interests to the people in your life and realize by end of the year, you're outlook in life completely shifted. You’ll realize your passion have changes you have thought you wanted to pursue aren’t the same as they may be now and that’s OK.

Life is always changing and so are our ideas, interests, and passions. As 2019 approaches, make sure you know the steps to really tune in and find your true passion so you can follow it in the new year.

Amongst the plethora of motivational videos, inspiring talks, and articles available, we have all heard the phrase, “follow your passion.”

Whereas in previous generations, following your passion would apply to hobbies and interest.  In today’s generation, the idea of pursuing those interests in which you may be passionate about now translates into our careers.

It makes sense to pursue a work that provides a purpose, to engage in a career that excites and stimulates your desires and elicits emotions. When you truly enjoy what you are doing it, you become more motivated and productive. Recent studies support the idea that higher levels of satisfaction and lower levels of stress are the result of being engaged in passionate pursuit.

But while it sounds like a great plan to follow your passion into a career, it is difficult to have a true understanding of what that true passion may be. It’s then even harder to translate that into a job or work that pays the bills. After graduating from college, I went to work in the tech field. I felt that I was pursuing a career in a field that I would be passionate about. For a number of reasons, it didn’t work out that way. Now, twenty years later, I am running a beverage company, following my true passion of offering people a healthier lifestyle.

I have known people who spend a tremendous amount of time and effort searching for their one true passion. But I don’t believe you can simply search and find your passion. Passion, a purpose, is not something you realize overnight in an “aha” moment. I believe passion develops over time. I also believe passion constantly evolves and is shaped by our experiences and environments. Passion is ultimately discovered.

I do believe though that are a few steps you can take to help you discover your passion, and then translate that into a career.

Follow your curiosity

Curiosity is a wonderful trait to possess. It’s no secret that the most curious people tend to be the most passionate. Take time and make it a purpose to be curious. Also closely examine those interests which pique your curiosity. The books on your bookshelf, the music you listen to, even your Google searches are a window into what interests you. Seek common themes in the subjects you gravitate towards. Examine what you enjoy learning about, and what you like to teach others. Think about and reflect on what makes you excited and engaged.

Discover, and uncover your talents

It’s crucial that each of us truly understand what we do well, what talents we have. Ask yourself, “what comes easily to me, what seems natural?” It’s common logic that when we’re good at something, we not only enjoy the efforts required, but we tend to enjoy the spending time in that activity.

I love public speaking, and I give speeches multiple times every year. Early in my career, I never would have considered that I would become a public speaker. But my role required me to do it, and I found I enjoyed and have a knack for it.  Now, I get to combine my passion for the public with my passion for healthy lifestyles.

Ask friends, family or co-workers what they consider as your talents. Chances are they may have a strong opinion. You may find that you have talents that others see in you that never knew existed.

Remember who you are

True passion often emerges early in life, as we are beginning to discover the world around us. It’s not a coincidence when middle-aged men or women play in an adult tennis league. It’s a game they became passionate about in their youth, and continue that passion till they can no longer move around a tennis court. Remember who you were as a youth, the activities that you loved, those things that brought pure pleasure and purpose. As career adults, we become focused on our responsibilities and distractions.

Maybe at one time, you loved helping or teaching others.  Maybe you were passionate about writing in school. Maybe traveling was one of your greatest loves. Whatever those things were, re-discover what they were and why they were so important.

Let your passion evolve, develop it.

Life is full of opportunities.  These opportunities serve to introduce us to new ideas and new challenges. In turn, we develop a passion for activities and situations that we may have never imagined. Be open to new ideas and new challenges. Become passionate about finding opportunities that will allow you to develop a passion for your work and life. Then explore those opportunities that spark a passion within you. This will mark the beginning of your endeavor.

Quit thinking and start taking action.

If you haven’t found something you’re passionate about, then you haven't explored enough. Trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone is going to teach you more about yourself than anything. No results will happen without action, consistent action that is.

As we approach the new year, remember to open arms to every opportunity, endeavor, challenge, or person who comes your way and the passion will follow. Undoubtedly, passion is a great attribute but it’s not the end-all be-all that will guide the way in your career. Whether the outcomes of these people you meet along the way or the experiences you embark on turn out far better or worse than you expected, there is a story behind every day and there is a reason we interact with all that we do. That is how passion is found and developed over time.

Consequently, passion comes to fruition as experiences and relationships are cultivated. There will be domino effects of hardships and there will be home runs of nonstop wins along the way that will conquer the losses until you master the art of understanding what you truly are passionate about. Then, let passion be your driving force. As a result, you will discover the purpose you withhold, discover your strength, and how you approach and handle situations. This outlook shift will pave the way for 2019 and new days and years to come.

PS - I'm on Instagram! Are you? If you have any questions, send me a DM on Instagram, and I'll make sure to reply there! I'm @KaraGoldin!

Kara Goldin is the founder and CEO of San Francisco–based hint?, a healthy lifestyle brand that produces the leading unsweetened flavored water and a scented sunscreen spray that’s oxybenzone and paraben-free. Listen to her podcast, Unstoppable, where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and disruptors across various industries and keep up with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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