Application Story 16: Finding Our Passion

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” - Herman Cain quotes (American business man, author and speaker)

If someone asks you: If you could do one thing to transform your life, what would that be?

For me, I will focus on something I am passionate about, and try to do it for a living, although this is not as easy as it sounds, but it’s well worth the effort.  Saying this, in this entry we will be exploring the different drivers that can make our existence happier to find our passion.

First, here is some interesting data for our reflection:

According to research, about 75% of the population does not know what their true passion is. Clearly, almost everyone seems to not be doing what they were meant to do. This is an eye-opener because doing what we really love is absolutely necessary if we want to be fully happy. That is my personal opinion, but I am a firm believer that if we do not do what we love to do, we are not really following our dreams and fulfilling our potential in life. Also, I think that perhaps lacking of passion is why there is so much unhappiness going on in our society; people just aren’t doing what they are here on Earth for. Finding your true passion isn’t as simple as it may seem. For some, yes it does come naturally, but most of the time, you have to ask yourself some questions to pinpoint exactly what you were born to do.

To help us with this, and in the search for more information about this topic, I would like to share with you 7 questions that can guide us to finding our ultimate passion:

What puts a smile on your face?

Is there a particular event, a particular topic that makes your whole face just lighten up?
Whatever it is that makes you smile, and makes you happy whenever you encounter it, this is a sign of something you are passionate about. I truly believe that happiness and passion walk hand in hand. Both require each other. So following what makes you truly happy is a wonderful way to figuring out what you were put on Earth for.

Tip:

Think about something that you do or that perhaps you used to do that brings total peace to you when you do it. Peace is happiness, and happiness is passion.

What do you find easy?

Usually, what we find easy for us to do will be related to what we are passionate about. It’s very hard to hate something that is very easy for us! For example, let’s say you are naturally good at playing the piano, you will find the activity easy, and this ease makes it much more fun for you. Fun leads to happiness and happiness is synonymous with passion.

Tip:

Assess everything that you do, whatever it is that you find really easy and fun, this may very well be your passion. And don’t think that anything is off limits or silly. Some people have taken their passion for skateboarding, drawing, or collecting to full-fledged careers.
Remember this: you can make a career out of anything you are passionate about.

What sparks your creativity?

One of my passions growing up was writing. But I remember writing for hours and hours, and always coming up with different ideas, inspiration, letters, poems or thoughts. I was always full of creativity when writing for myself or for some else. Later in life, I developed similar creativity in business and working with people.

Tip:

Think about something in your life where you seem to always expand its horizon, always coming up with new, fun, and exciting ideas relating to that subject. Whatever makes you creative is probably something that you are very passionate about.

What would you do for free?

In this society, we are ruled by the almighty money $. That’s the way the system works, and that’s the game we have to play. The problem is, this leads many people to seek making money first, instead of what makes them happy.  There are a lot of stories about stock brokers and doctors for example, leaving their high paying positions to follow what they really love. There is a reason for that. I’m a firm believer that that if you follow what you are passionate about without thinking about if it will make you rich or not, you will end up being successful. Here is why: Doing what you have a passion for brings out your best, and this leads to greatness. Greatness breezes to success. Now let me ask you…Do you think that the most successful people in the world got to where they are because they wanted to get rich? Absolutely not, they did what they were so passionate about, and their immense success was just a byproduct of their dedication.

Tip:

Think about something that you would just love to do, even if you were not getting paid. Think about something that you look forward to do; something that you wish you could do all the time.

What do you like to talk about?

The topics of conversation we have can definitely tell what we are interested in, and this is a good way to find out what we really enjoy in life. Most of the time, we aren’t totally aware of this. This is why, a very good way to figure this out properly, is to ask your friends.

Tip:

Ask your friends what they believe you like to talk about the most. Ask them what topic makes your eyes brighten up, and changes your entire behavior. I can guarantee you that some of their answers will be surprising to you. Some of these things weren’t that clear to you, but your friends can see the reaction on your face that you can’t see yourself. Try it out; it’s a very insightful exercise, and one that can direct you closer to figuring out your passion.

What makes you unafraid of failure?

When we do what we are passionate about, we have total confidence in our abilities. That is for sure! This makes us not worry about failing, because in our mind, how can we fail when we do what we love? Doing what you love is a success in and of itself, so failure is like impossible.

Tip:

Think of something that you just do or want to do, no matter what. Something that you do not have second thoughts about. Think about something that you feel you must do and that failure is not even a concern of yours, because the mere act of doing it is like the journey and the destination all wrapped up in one. This may very well be your true passion.

What would you regret not having tried?

We all have these dreams, and somehow, life pushes us in another direction, and next thing we know, we are far from those dreams we used to have.

Tip:

Think… If you were at the end of your life, what would you regret not having pursued? What would you have liked to do, that you didn’t get a chance to? Think about what that might be. Whatever it is that you may experience regret now or later on for not having tried, this is a good chance to be your true passion. There is nothing worse than arriving at the end of the journey and having regret. This is why finding your passion, and following it is so important. Live your life so that you do not have regrets.

Action Items:

1. Reflect on the different questions posted in this entry, and write your answers down.
2. Keep the most important findings of your reflection visible, so they can be a constant reminder of what make you a happy person.
3. Share with us any other ideas you may have or experience that can boost our happiness.

Finally, remember that we have a creative inner child inside us. If we have repressed it for so long, it is now the time to resurface in order to experience a joyful existence. In fact, getting older doesn’t have to be depressing and sad. Life isn’t depressing, you make it this way! Life is whatever you want it to be. Do something you enjoy and your life will be enjoyable and happiness will come to your door. That’s the bottom line. Break down the barriers that you put around yourself because you became an adult. Allow that free, fun, and fearless side of you to come out! – Just Do It.


Enjoy!