Why is your passion so difficult to find?

How many of us have been told, “ follow your passion,” “find your passion,” “pursue your passion?” What is it about passion? What is it and why is it so difficult to find?

In this instance, I am talking about passion as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything. Managing your career guided by your passion, personal preferences and natural talents makes sense. Your natural strengths become the foundation of your career choices. When challenges arise and the road you have chosen is difficult, if you are naturally interested in your endeavor you will have more fortitude to continue. Work will feel less like work and more like play. There is an energy flow to your work that feels “right.” Your natural enthusiasm for your work will open doors, keep you working longer and harder, and attract others to your cause. Positive energy is infectious. Success, on a multitude of dimensions, will follow.

But, many of us get sidetracked by the litany of “shoulds” we dwell upon in our minds. It is difficult to find our passion in a meaningful way when we are not encouraged to focus on our inner strengths. Think about our school experience. Do we focus on our strengths or our weaknesses? We focus on our weaknesses. If we have low grades in science, we spend more time on science. If we fail a test, we go for extra help in that subject. We have to pass every subject so we spend time on those that are the most difficult, the most uncomfortable, just to survive. No wonder we have lost touch with our true passions and talents by the time we graduate. We have focused on our weaknesses for so long.

It takes quiet time to sort out your true passions, your natural talents. In a world where we are tuned in, plugged in. logged on or dialed in virtually non-stop, taking time out to let yourself feel, dream and imagine is very difficult, much less counter-culture. But quiet, reflective time is what it takes to find yourself and your passion.

When do you feel your positive energy flowing? What are you doing? Who are you with? When do you feel trapped and anxious? Are you getting better and better at something you love or are you fighting to keep your head afloat? Can you imagine a way to turn these draining experiences into positive ones?

There are several tools, books and coaches to help you find your passion when you feel lost and disconnected on YourOnRamp.com. Use the tools that work for you. Take time to feel your passion, invest in your strengths. A passionate life with momentum and growth is worth it!

What do you think?
Hendy

Hendy Dayton, Director Business Development, YourOnRamp