Use this journal to make lists, work out thoughts by free writing, make plans for the future and note your accomplishments along the way. Organizing your thoughts will help tremendously in directing future actions towards fulfillment. Carry it around with you and record any times you feel happy and fulfilled. Note what you are doing, anyone you are with, and what about the moment makes you happy. Keeping daily notes can help clarify what is most important to you if you aren’t yet sure of your passion.
Even if you know what you are passionate about now, your passions change with experience and personal growth. Answering these questions may lead you towards a new passion you hadn’t considered before. [6] X Research source Separate what you do from what you care about. Hobbies and passions are not necessarily the same, and turning your favorite hobby into a job might not be what fulfills you. You may enjoy a hobby as a break from a hectic day, but unless inspiration keeps you up at night thinking about it, it is not your life purpose. [7] X Research source
What can you do for hours and not realize the time has gone by? What was your favorite thing to do as a child? Which of your accomplishments make you feel proudest? What is the one thing you cannot imagine living without? List your skills and personal strengths. Ask friends and family to identify some for you also. They may have thought of some that you hadn’t considered.
Start by asking yourself how you imagined your adult life when you were still a kid. What were your dreams for the future then? Do they reflect where you are now, or where you would like to be?[11] X Research source Be specific so that you can visualize this future self. Believing you can achieve your goals is the most important aspect in reaching them. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are probably right. ”[12] X Research source
You don’t have to quit your job to follow your passion, but be realistic about how much you can expect to make doing your passion full-time, at least in the beginning, and get used to living on that amount.
This doesn’t mean you can cut out all tasks you don’t enjoy, of course. It means scheduling those things you have to do so you don’t waste time procrastinating and end the day feeling unaccomplished. Start making to-do lists to stay focused. Do those things that have been on your mind the longest and the ones you least want to do first. Getting them off your mind allows you to focus attention on the things you care about most. [16] X Research source Start saying no when you really want to say no. Unless doing something fulfills you in some way, it is just draining your energy from following your interests. Reject the word “should” from your vocabulary. Saying, “I ‘should’ do such and such” holds you back from trying out things that may be scary, but also may be worth the risk. [17] X Research source
Focus on being curious rather than anxious. You don’t always know where life will take you. Erase any expectations you have about pulling it off. The journey itself is a big part of discovering what fulfills you. [19] X Research source
At least once a month, do something significant you’ve never done before to broaden your perspective. [21] X Research source Go on a trip to a place you’ve never visited. Try out a different type of cuisine. Pick up a new hobby to see if you like it.
Take a class—in person or online—in that field. Interview current professionals to find out what their real-world jobs are like and how they got there. Did it require a special degree or years of training? Make as many mistakes as you possibly can. You learn from them. [23] X Research source
Check that your plan had a series of smaller goals that are achievable in short time-frames. Keep track of your progress and achievements in your journal. Write down how each step went, what you learned, and what, if anything, you need to change about future actions. Update your plan with new information as necessary.
Be specific about why you are unhappy with this situation. Was there a time when you were happy with these things? If so, you may have forgotten why you made these choices in the first place. If the main problem is that the wonder and awe has worn off, look for something new and exciting that wasn’t there before instead of scrapping a good part of your life. [25] X Research source
Pick 3 or 4 people to be on your board of supporters. Maybe an expert in the field, a close friend, others pursuing similar interests, and yourself, of course![27] X Research source Don’t just think about what these people can do to help you; ask yourself how you can give back, as well. Part of our self-esteem comes from feeling valuable to others.
Write lists in your journal and read them when you want to re-focus your energy on positives.
Try meditating to quiet your mind. Sit quietly and pay attention to your breathe. Listen to ambient sounds around you. Visualize yourself achieving your goals in the future. [30] X Research source
