10 ways to find your passion in life

For some people, living their passion seems to come naturally. They throw themselves into the pursuits they love with no regard for what society expects of them. But it isn’t that easy for all of us.

You’ve made lists. You’ve asked your friends for advice. You’ve tried journaling and you’ve analyzed every thought you’ve ever had. Yet, you’re still asking yourself “what is my passion?”

That’s because passion comes from the heart, not the head. Chances are, you already know what your passion is. You just need to connect with it.

1. SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

For many, living a life of passion feels unrealistic. Because they feel this way, some people aren’t optimistic about changing.  If you enter the journey to discover your passion with this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The only way to succeed in finding your passion for life is to 1hift your mindset to one of positivity and possibility. Be open to the adventure you’re about to have. Get excited about what is possible. Look forward to the incredible life ahead of you. Only if you’re truly open and ready for change will you find what you’re passionate about. Realize that life happens for you, not to you – but you must listen to what it’s telling you.

2. Discover your top human need

As human beings, we all have Six Human Needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution. Life is a delicate balance between these, but we all have one top need that is most essential to our happiness. Discovering your driving force can give you a window into how to find your passion for life by showing you what you need most to feel fulfilled.

3. Look at what you love

Look at your bookshelf, favorite movies or the last play you saw – is there a common theme? Think about your favorite summer job or the last time you got so caught up in a project, you completely lost track of time. Think about what you loved to do as a child – drawing, writing, dancing. So often, we give up our passions when we become adults because we think we have to grow into something we aren’t. This isn’t true. Tap into the activities and topics that used to fill you up when you were younger. Ask yourself: What could you talk about for 30 minutes with no prep time? What topics make other people think of you? What do you love teaching others? These are all hints about how to find your passion in life. 

4. Notice where you spend your free time

Your hobbies aren’t necessarily the same as your true passion, but they can provide a hint. If you spend a lot of your free time reading, your passion could involve writing, teaching or research – anything that feeds your mind the way reading does. If you enjoy fixing things around the house, your passion likely involves creating and building. If you enjoy dancing or exercising, you are probably drawn to movement and expression. Think deeper about your extracurriculars and you could uncover your passion.

5. Recognize your patterns

The human brain loves patterns. Sometimes this is a bad thing, as we get stuck in unhealthy habits. But sometimes, it can provide a clue into what really matters to us. Long-term patterns will often reveal hints on how to find your passion. Is there something that seems to come up in your life again and again? A need to travel means you crave new experiences. Gravitating toward a certain author, speaker or businessperson could mean they inspire you. Patterns aren’t coincidences – they’re how our subconscious communicates with us. When you start to recognize them, you’ll be one step closer to building a life you are passionate about.

6. Use the rocking chair test

Tony teaches the rocking chair test frequently at his events because it is one of the most powerful ways to unlock how to find your passion. Imagine yourself when you are 90 years old, sitting on your porch in your rocking chair and reminiscing about your life. What is your biggest regret? What do you wish you had experienced? What passion do you wish you had followed? How do you want to be remembered? All of these questions will unlock something in you and give you hints at what really matters to you. Chances are, it won’t be what society has conditioned you to think it is.

7. Examine your fears

One creative way to figure out how to find your passion in life is to think about what scares you. Have you thought about quitting your job to write, dance, start a business, bake cupcakes or walk dogs – and the thought absolutely terrified you? If you feel excitement and fear when you think about going all-in with a certain skill or pastime, that’s a sign it’s your passion. It’s time to stop letting that fear hold you back. You may fail at first but don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Keep trying.

8. Get unreasonable

There is a reason that Tony says that “Passion is found in the field of the unreasonable.” Passions aren’t rational. They often directly conflict with what society teaches us to want: get a degree, get a boring office job, put up with a long commute and only have fun on the weekends. That’s why you need to listen to your heart instead of your limiting beliefs. Cut the word “unrealistic” from your vocabulary. Let yourself dream big. Create the most extraordinary life you possibly can. Anything is possible if you remain open to change and the unknown.

9. Get out of your comfort zone

Still drawing a blank on how to find your passion in life? If you spend your days commuting, working and sitting in front of the TV, you’ll never figure out what ignites that spark of passion. You need to get out of your comfort zone and have new experiences. Take a class. Join a sport. Travel somewhere new. Try new foods.  Research something you always thought seemed interesting. Answering the question “what are you passionate about?” is going to take some work. It will probably make you feel uncomfortable at first. Life – and finding your passion – begins at the end of your comfort zone. 

10. Cultivate belief in yourself

Many times, the answer to how to discover your passion is right in front of you, but you’re refusing to see it. Open your eyes and believe that life can be extraordinary. To make your life a masterpiece, you must become unstoppable. Turn your “shoulds” into “musts,” eliminate excuses and accept nothing less than a life filled with joy. This may sound impossible at first – but once you commit to overcoming your fears, you’ll be able to overcome self-doubt and reservation, too. This is the first step to finding your passion.