Finding passion: How to discover what you really want

ARE you doing what you would choose to be doing if you only had 6 months to live? Not many of us are. So how can you find your passion and a job you love?

How to find your passion

‘ARE you doing what you would choose to be doing if you only had 6 months to live?’ This was the question posed by Ita Buttrose to an audience at an event I recently attended. It struck me as a question a lot of people need to ask themselves.

Every day I meet people who are simply existing or plodding through their work life. Far fewer are thriving and creating careers aligned with their passions.

For many people the struggle begins with discovering what they are in fact passionate about. Only with an intimate understanding of what we love and want in our work life can we make the choices necessary to turn our dreams into reality.

It is possible to build a career that is rewarding and a work life that we enjoy. The first step toward doing that is to understand ourselves.

Begin by knowing who you really are and how you want to contribute in this world through your work. Observe yourself, when you are at your best and when you aren’t. Understand the innate capabilities you bring and the role your emotions play in fuelling your desires, pursuing your goals and building your relationships.

Find your passion by following these seven essential steps:

1. Know how you feel

Notice what makes you happy, what frustrates you, what makes you want to keep trying or to give more? What energises you and what drains your spirit? Observe your energy levels when engaged in various thought processes and tasks. Recognise how events and circumstances impact upon you and your behaviour.

2. Take notice of what you notice

What gets and keeps your attention? Is it people, an interesting problem to solve, or perhaps you are drawn to events that need organising? What things do you find easy to maintain your focus on and connect with? For example are you the person who notices when someone needs guidance? Do you find yourself offering your assistance?

3. Recognise what you are good at

We are born with gifts and we develop talents along the way. Our preferences are also often reflected in the strengths we develop so pay close attention to your achievements and what helped you to get there. Consider why you have been successful in the things that you have — in experience often lies insights to creating a fulfilling future.

4. Understand your own definition of success

We all have a unique view of what it means to be successful — start by understanding what it means to you. Reflect on your values and the things that matter most to you about building a successful career. How will you be rewarded? What will you need to have achieved in order to feel as though you have ‘made it’? Do money, status, and authority matter? Does having the opportunity to have greater impact or make a bigger contribution define success for you?

5. Be honest with yourself

While being delusional can act as a useful defence mechanism, it does nothing for our ability to live a passionate life including at work. Understand when you are kidding yourself and choose to own every aspect of how you choose to think, feel and behave. Don’t convince yourself you enjoy something just because other people expect you to. Be prepared to face the truth about what you like and what you don’t.

6. Be open to possibilities

Never allow limiting beliefs to cut you off before you even begin. As they say, dare to dream, and dream as big as it takes to get to the heart of your purpose in life. What you are most likely to love and excel at may not currently be within the realms of possibilities you have considered. Be open-minded and explore options. Be inquisitive and explore options you may enjoy.

7. Give it a go

Experience is a great teacher so if you aren’t sure you will enjoy something, give it a try. That doesn’t have to mean a full time job or change of career. Be creative about the opportunities you have to explore your options. One example may be through volunteering whether that is for a charity or your local community. Put you hand up for special assignments and ask people in areas that interest you for work experience opportunities.

Karen Gately is a leadership and people-management specialist and a founder of Ryan Gately. She is the author of The People Manager’s Toolkit and The Corporate Dojo For more information visit www.karengately.com.au

Originally published as Finding passion: How to discover what you really want