11/27/13

8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love |

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Hom e Posit iv e A rt ic l es 8 W a y s to D i s c o ve r Y o ur P a s s i o n a nd L i ve a L i f e Y o u L o ve

8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love

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Do n t w o r r y a b o u t w h a t th e w o r ld n e e d s . A s k w h a t m a k e s yo u co m e a li ve a n d d o th a t, b e ca u s e w h a t th e w o r ld n e e d s i s p e o p le w h o
h a ve co m e a li ve . ~Ho w a r d T h u r m a n

I didnt spend two years and $100,000 for a masters degree in counseling from an Ivy League university so that I could be miserable and hate my life 50
hours a week, but thats what happened.

After a few years in the trenches of the non-profit world, my job had become so emotionally draining that it was taking a vicious toll on my health and causing
gripping anxiety attacks. I felt exhausted more often than not, and I was scrambling to find scraps of happiness in my previously joy-filled life.

When I took the time to listen, my inner monologue sounded something like this:

Yo u k n o w yo u r e n o t d o i n g w h a t yo u lo ve . Yo u r li f e la ck s a d e e p e r m e a n i n g , a n d yo u h a ve n o i d e a w h a t yo u r e r e a lly p a s s i o n a te
a b o u t. W h a t i n th e w o r ld a r e yo u d o i n g w i th yo u r li f e ?

I wanted to do more, but I had no idea which path I wanted to take. I felt confused, stuck, and worst of all, embarrassed by my lack of direction. I was
treading water as I waited for a sign as to what my next step should be.

As the months continued to pass, I became more aware of how I was wasting time. I saw my life passing me by, leaving me only with regrets and what ifs.

F i n a lly, I w a s b r u ta lly h o n e s t w i th m ys e lf a b o u t m y u n h a p p i n e s s a n d I e m b a r k e d o n s o m e s e r i o u s s o u l- s e a r ch i n g . I a s k e d m ys e lf

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8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love |

to u g h q u e s ti o n s a n d le a r n e d w h a t i t f e lt li k e to b e a u th e n ti ca lly m e . I d i s co ve r e d th a t m y u n h a p p i n e s s w a s r o o te d i n m y la ck o f
p a s s i o n a n d I s lo w ly b e g a n ta k i n g co n tr o l.

Six months later, I launched my own coaching business. A year later, I quit my job, reclaimed my life, and I have never been happier.

But that doesnt mean everything fell into place perfectly.

Even though I had been building my own business for several months before I left my job, I was still scared. I didnt know if I would be able to support myself
financially or if my business would be sustainable.

In order to build up my savings, there were months of saying no to happy hours and weekend brunch dates, moving in with a friend to decrease my rent, and
cutting corners to save every dollar possible.

F o llo w i n g m y p a s s i o n w a s e m o ti o n a lly ch a lle n g i n g a n d a le a p o f f a i th , b u t I n e ve r w o r r i e d a b o u t m a k i n g th e w r o n g ch o i ce b e ca u s e

I k n e w I d i d n t w a n t to b e u n h a p p y a n y lo n g e r , a n d th a t w a s m o r e i m p o r ta n t to m e th a n a n y p a ych e ck .

It is terrifying when you feel like your life has no purpose or direction, but finding your passion can change all that. Finding your passion is like finding your
personal road map. When you know what your passion is, you feel motivated, inspired, and so much clearer about what your next step should be.

8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love

1. Slow down.

When we slow down, we are able to tap into the best version of ourselves, which is most often when we find the answers weve been searching for. This might
mean practicing yoga, going for daily walks, or setting aside time each day to meditate. Slowing down allows you to quiet the outside voices and listen to
yourself.

2. Change your story.

We all tell ourselves stories about who we are, what were capable of, and what we deserve. If we can identify our self-limiting stories (Im not good enough;
I dont deserve to be happy, etc.), then we can begin writing new stories that are grounded in confidence and courage, and map out actions that move us from
one to the other.

3. Own your uniqueness.

We are here for a reason. No one else has your unique blend of talents, wisdom, strengths, skills, and creativity. We all have something great to offer, and
learning to accept and own what makes you unique is crucial to sharing your gifts with the world.

4. Cultivate confidence.
If we are continually telling ourselves we cant, then we will never believe we can. There is a chance you may fail, but it will be impossible to succeed if you
dont believe in yourself. You can create affirmations, focus on the things you want, or make a vision board that shows your future success.

5. Find the themes.

Recognizing the recurring themes in our lives creates a pattern for us to either follow or change. What themes or lessons seem to constantly surface in your
life? What are you drawn to again and again? What areas of life seem to be full of discomfort and pain? What areas are full of joy and light?

6. Write.
Ideas flow more freely when we write without an agenda. New inspiration may appear unexpectedly and it becomes easier to connect the dots. Spend a few
minutes of quality time each day with a pen and paper allowing yourself to process your thoughts without influence from the outside world.

7. Focus on the fun.

Too often we get wrapped up in the expectations we set for ourselves. We focus on the details and the to-do lists instead of what is most important. What do
you love to do? What makes you smile? If money were limitless, what would you be doing today?

8. Push past fear.

Its so seductive to tell ourselves thats well go after what we want when we have more experience, more money, or more time, but the truth is, that will never
happen. We must identify these excuses as masks for our fear. Its only when we get clear on our fears and recognize how it is holding us back, we can begin

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moving forward.

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