Are you living your passion or just going thru the motions?
Going through the motions looks like being frantically busy but feeling like you’re not accomplishing much. It looks like struggle, anxiety, overwhelm, indecision, static, limited, heaviness. Picture paddling up stream with only one paddle. It looks like following other people’s rules, ignoring your inner-voice.
On the other hand, living with passion looks like living with a sense of excitement, possibility, creative energy, enthusiasm, motivation, and a focus and drive that are hard to derail.
When you live with passion life flows; it has meaning and purpose. When you ignore your passion life is complicated, full of roadblocks (perhaps the Universe trying to tell us something?).
Going through the motions feels like the Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore. Although a loveable character, he seems to be followed by misfortune and a dark gray cloud overhead.
Living your passion feels like Woohoo! It’s one heck of a roller-coaster ride.
Realizing and living your passion, though, takes dedication, courage and commitment. It’s not always easy.
With so many competing ideas, opinions and options available to us, it’s difficult to stay the course. Following your passion means saying no to the nay-sayers and yes to yourself and what you want for your life.
Living your passion means you might even disappoint people in your life – your family, friends, co-workers, boss. You might even anger some people who are resistant to your change.
This is where the commitment to yourself comes in; continuing to honor and work towards fulfilling your dreams and your passion even though not everyone agrees with you.
So by this time your probably saying to yourself, “Sounds great, Erin, but how exactly do I find my passion?”
Here are some ideas.
ONE
Slow down. In this increasingly busy world, taking time to sit quietly and breathe sounds like fantasy. The thing is, it’s really difficult to connect with your passion when you’re mind and body are in constant motion. So, give yourself a break (literally). Take time to breathe deeply, slow your mind and reflect. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What do you dream about that is so audacious you dare not tell anyone?
What are you longing to do?
TWO
Think big. You are more than your job or your title. You are more than your familial or your financial status. You are so much more! So think beyond just you and your sphere. Think about the city or state in which you live. Or, really challenge yourself and think globally. The idea is to think outside yourself and ask yourself what’s important. Here are some prompts:
What causes are important to you?
Where do you volunteer your time and resources?
What about these causes is important to you?
THREE
Embrace your strengths. We all have strengths; those things we do particularly well, often without much thought. Do you know what they are? If yes, that’s great! If not, get to know them. Your strengths can point you in the direction of your passion.
What specific talents do you have?
What do you get lost in doing?
What activities are you passionate about?
FOUR
Have fun. Although finding your passion is serious business, it’s important to tap into the lighter side.
What activities bring great joy, laughter and inspiration to your life?
What do you want more of in you life?
FIVE
Embrace Fear. Yep, I said it. Embrace fear. Fear is crucial to finding your passion for two reasons. One, it lets you know you may be onto something. And, two, it inspires action. If you face your fear, if you’re curious about what it’s telling you, you’ll have the chance to move beyond it to what’s waiting for you on the other side…passion.
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
What is your fear telling you?
What is your authentic self telling you? (at this point the Gremlin usually appears with a whole list of why and how it won’t work. This is great and generally means you are on to something!)
It’s never too late to pursue your passion! Don’t let fear, negativity or other people stand in the way of you fulfilling your dreams! The cost is too high!
However, the payoff of living a purposeful and passion-filled life, one filled with commitment, inspiration and motivation is priceless and well worth the effort! Dream big! Live large!
And remember…The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
Enjoy your learnings.
Erin
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