Finding your passion isn’t just something you do in the New Year; it’s something you can do any time – no matter how old you are. These tips on how to find your passion are inspired by someone who says,

“I am ready to study something worthwhile. I am an artistic person, I’d like to teach or work with children but I’m also leaning towards public relations or marketing. I need some advice about how to find what I am really passionate about, and set a goal that I will go for and accomplish. Any help will be great, thanks.”

If you’re hoping to learn how to find your passion, you’re on the right track. Here’s what Mark Nepo says about finding your passion in The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have:

“Part of the blessing and challenge of being human is that we must discover our own true God-given nature. This is not some noble, abstract quest but an inner necessity. For only by living in our own element can we thrive without anxiety. And since human beings are the only life form that can drown and still go to work, the only species that can fall from the sky and still fold laundry, it is imperative that we find that vital element that brings us alive… If you feel energy and excitement and a sense that life is happening for the first time, you are probably near your God-given nature. Joy in what we do is not an added feature; it is a sign of deep health.”

It might take time and effort to learn how to find your passion, but it is worth it. You’ll be healthier and happier than you’ve ever been (but you’ll still have problems, because life is bittersweet!).

Tips on Finding Your Passion

Learn how other people found their passions. In From Passion to Paycheck – A Career in Aromatherapy, I describe how writer Sharon Falsetto found her passion. She lost her husband, and her grief propelled her to a whole new stage of life. I found my passion by doing a million different jobs, from waitressing to teaching middle school to working as a Mentoring Coordinator with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in both Calgary and Vancouver! Maybe you won’t find your passion on your first try…but you’ll learn so much about yourself if you treat life as an interesting experiment.

Look inwards. “About three years ago at this time of year, I had hit a wall in my career,” says Certified Professional Coach Jessica Manca. “My wish is that people who are enduring burnout this holiday season know they’re not alone, and my book is an option to help find themselves and what they really want.”

Manca wrote Finding Passion: A Self-Discovery Approach for Navigating Career Crossroads – a book that helps readers wrestling with thoughts of resignation, anxiety, and taking big leaps to find peace by uncovering their passion. She believes passion is the answer for looking both inward and forward when making decisions in life.

Search Google alerts for “passion.” Blogging and writing are my passions – and they are two very different things! I want to blog about people who are passionate, and encourage readers to find their own passions. I signed up for Google alerts, and am reading an unbelievable number of articles about people who are passionate about something. If you want to know how to find your passion, sign up for “passionate” and “passion” on Google alerts. You’ll be amazed at the types of things people are passionate about, and you might get a few ideas for your own life.

Think about the last time you lost track of time. What do you do that causes you to totally lose track of time? That’s your passion. For me, it’s blogging – I could stand and work on my blogs (I don’t sit, I stand while working!) for 18 hours a day and not get tired. If you want to find your passion, look at your life. What do you love to do?

Don’t think of it as forever. Maybe you’ll find your passion on the first try, or maybe you’ll end up finding your passion on your 100th birthday. Maybe you’ll find your passion after suffering a huge loss, or maybe your biggest victory will morph into your life’s purpose. However it unfolds for you, you need to remember that every stage or step is just that: a stage of life, one more step in your journey. Enjoy it, for it is all you have.

Have you talked to a career counselor about finding the right job, or a guidance counselor about finding your life’s passion? That’s another step to take, if you feel lost or unsure. For more tips on how to find your passion, read How Do You Choose a Career?

I welcome your thoughts on seeking and finding the purpose of your life. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it…like everything in life.

Another tip for finding your passion is to read Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. Learn how to recognize what you’re good at, and build on those strengths.