PURSUE YOUR PASSION

We often hear about passions and doing what you are passionate for, but how often do we really stop and think about our passions and actually pursue them? Many struggle to find a job they like because either they can’t find a job in the field they majored in or simply because they are looking for work in the wrong field or haven’t found their passion yet. For me, I knew some of the things that I was passionate about but I devoted more time to what I had to do rather than what made me happy. Until, one day I got tired of being in the same place and not doing what I enjoyed doing so I began to prioritize and make room in my life to start dedicating time to what I am truly passionate for. I invite you to make that decision today to start working if you aren’t already towards your passion! What is passion?

Passion is a powerful feeling towards a person or thing. It is something that makes you come alive, that drives you. Inside each and every one of us there is a passion that was placed within us that maybe hasn’t been exposed yet. I didn’t know I loved to act until I reached high school and saw the musicals they would do. I joined the drama club and I’ve been in love ever since just never dedicated time to it. Passion is something so effortless to you that when you do it, it doesn’t feel like work because you enjoy doing it so much.

How do you find your passion?

1) Look at your childhood:

a. As we grow older we stop doing what we loved doing as kids because we do what we believe and what the world tells us we have to do. Those past experiences of what brought you joy can help you identify what you are passionate about 2) Look at your purchasing decision a. What do you normally buy, what subjects do you tend to go to the most often? What are you spending time and money on? For me I was spending most of my money buying decoration, clothing, planners and it all ties to things I’m passionate about. I’m passionate about fashion, the way you can express yourself through it as well as home décor. I love decorating my house or events because it puts a smile on people’s faces and makes them feel good of the place they are in. 3) What do you find yourself talking about all the time or learning? a. If you can’t think of anything ask family and friends to tell you what subjects you usually always want to talk about. After finding your passion there are always obstacles that arise when trying to pursue your passion but don’t let that stop you from living the life you want to live. Some of those obstacles include;

1) Think with your heart and body not just your head a. Look at things that bring excitement, that maybe make your heart race a little faster b. If you think with your head there will always be excuses keeping you away from realizing your dreams. Our thoughts will often try to talk us out of things our hearts really want to do. (while the heart may be deceiving certain times, the mind is a battlefield of its own. Ask the holy spirit to guide you.)

2) Don’t make money your primary consideration

a. Yes, money is important but if you chase money rather than your dreams you will end up with a lot of money but feeling more disappointed than ever. Don’t take on a job you don’t love just because of the money, you won’t have motivation to get up each morning and you won’t be giving your best. b. Sometimes you have to sacrifice and be uncomfortable in order to accomplish something. I know it’s easier said than done, believe me, I am still at that stage where I want to quit my job and follow my dreams but I need to pay the bills. However, based on my research most people had to struggle to get their own business started and it was rough but their passion made them determined to follow through and now their businesses are profitable and they are doing what they love. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, just keep that in mind with everything that you do.

3) Know how to prioritize a. If you want to start pursuing your passion, take small steps, learn to have a balance between work and having time to work on the things that make you come alive. b. Many times we don’t pursue our passions because we are lazy or have so many things to do and we focus on what everyone else wants us to do and not on what we want to do. c. You won’t have time if you don’t make time! I struggled with that until a couple of weeks ago. I was always pulled in a million directions and my excuse was always that I didn’t have time. I had to grab my planner and schedule almost every hour of my day to make it productive than wasting time. There are moments we have “free” that we use to be on our phones, watch movies, social media, whatever it is when we can be using that time to learn and grow in what we are passionate about! Those 15min breaks I had and I spent on social media now I use to research topics I’m passionate about and will help me achieve my goals in the future.

4) Don’t compare yourself to others! a. There is probably someone out there already doing what you want to do. However, when you look at where they are vs where you are you won’t think you are capable enough of achieving what they achieved. You are a work in progress, everyone needs to start somewhere in order to become great. b. Recognize no one has your style, experience and knowledge. There is a company waiting for exactly what YOU have to offer. c. Comparing will often lead to copying what they are doing but copying isn’t fun it steals the uniqueness that people will love in you.

5) Perfectionism a. You do not need to know it all or have it all figured out in order to start following your passion. Don’t get me wrong, don’t just go blindly and unprepared but you don’t have to have everything ready and perfect or feel like you are ready enough. You will never be ready enough until you get yourself out there and gain the experience.

6) Caring about what others think a. There is a difference between wanting someone’s true opinion in order to improve vs need for approval and avoidance of rejection. I know rejection is tough but you can’t appeal to everyone. Tying your worth to what people think just leads to disappointment. Rejection is simply a person’s opinions that informs you of their preference but not of you as a person.

7) Impatience

a. This generation more than ever wants everything to happen in an instant. I hate to break it to you but, not all things work that way. If you want something to last and be great, it takes time. When you begin to focus on everything that you need to do in order to follow your passion it can be overwhelming and it can make you run away or quit. Take it step by step, all it takes is a step. Once you do you will continue to get inspired and it will keep you motivated until you reach the end. Don’t try and do everything at once.

As you can see it is easier to find your passion than to actually achieve it because WE create so many obstacles and sometimes life just gets in the way and it becomes more complicated to just do what we please. However, I am here to encourage you to enjoy every day, everything you do. Where you work now may not be your passion but it will help you in the future just don’t stop fighting until you are living your passion. Pursue it and forget the obstacles because you can overcome them. There is someone out there waiting for exactly what you have to offer.

#Purpose #Passion #Obstacles