In this article, we’ll explore practical steps to help you learn how to discover your passion and incorporate it into a fulfilling career.
Here are the steps to finding your passion:
- Self-reflection: Know thyself
- Explore your interests
- Network and seek guidance
- Experiment and iterate
- Find the intersection
- Embrace change
- Stay persistent
- Seek professional help
- Don’t compare yourself
I’ve added a simple task for each point that you can do over the next few days or weeks.
Stuck in a rut
Are you in the midst of your career and feeling like something is missing? Do you long to wake up excited about your work every day, eager to tackle new challenges and make a real impact? I know exactly how you feel. I was there myself a few years ago and eventually found multiple ways to get through it. These days, I work with many clients experiencing this exact situation, it’s a very common issue that people to seek out coaching for.Should I quit?
You might feel that you only see two choices: To grit your teeth and soldier on, or quit your job and run for the hills. I’m here to reassure you that there is a middle ground and it doesn’t have to involve anything so drastic or dispiriting!An opportunity to go deep
Finding and connecting with your passion can be a transformative journey, and it’s never too late to embark on it. Doing the exercises in each section will really help you learn more about yourself and get connected better to your passion.
Self-reflection: Know thyself
The first step in finding your passion is self-reflection.
Take the time to identify your strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests.
Use this knowledge as a jumping-off point for exploration of what lights you up and what you are good at.
Task: Make notes on the following:
What activities make you lose track of time?
What do other people identify as your talents (if you don’t know, I challenge you to ask three people, I’ve done this myself before and it’s a beautiful exercise)?
What issues or causes do you care deeply about?
Self-awareness is the foundation upon which your passion can be built.
Explore Your Interests
Once you have a better understanding of yourself, start exploring your interests.
Try new things, take up hobbies, and venture outside your comfort zone.
You might be surprised by what sparks your enthusiasm.
Attend workshops, read books, and engage in conversations related to your potential passions.
Task: Join a group (real or virtual) linked to one of your interests.
Engage with the group as soon as possible by introducing yourself / attending an event / commenting on posts.
Network and seek guidance
Connect with people who are already living their passion.
Attend industry events, join professional groups, and seek mentorship from those who have found their calling.
Networking can expose you to new opportunities and provide valuable insights.
Task: Make a list of five people you know or admire who you see connecting to their passion.
Make sure to follow them on social media, read their book or read through their website.
Note down what you know and see about them that you admire and relate to.
Experiment and iterate
Don’t be afraid to experiment, your passion may not reveal itself immediately.
Try different paths within you profession, side projects, or volunteer work.
Be open to making mistakes and learning from them. Your passion might evolve over time.
Task: Pick one small action, like setting aside an hour a week for a hobby or volunteer work, that you can commit to for at least two months.
At the end of the time, reflect on what you have learned about yourself.
Connecting to your passion is a process not a fixed point.
Find the intersection
Embrace change
While it’s not inevitable, discovering your passion can lead to a change in your routine or your career path.
It’s essential to be open to change and willing to take calculated risks.
Sometimes, your true passion might require a leap of faith, but the rewards can be immense.
Task: Make a list of all the reasons you want to connect to your passion.
Try to make these positive (i.e. avoid saying what you don’t want). Reasons could include ‘I want to live a life of purpose’, ‘I want to make a difference to the world’, ‘I want to feel joyful in my work’.
Keep this list to hand to bolster and strengthen you on days you feel a bit fearful or wobbly.
Stay persistent
Finding your passion isn’t likely to be restricted to one Eureka! moment. For many people it’s a process of discovery..
Be persistent in your pursuit of your passion. Keep learning, growing, and adapting.
Your passion can evolve as you gain more experience and insight.
Passion isn’t a one-time discovery; it’s a lifelong journey.
Task: If you could be 5% better at pursuing your passion this week, what would that look like?
It could be as simple as completing one or two of the tasks above. Write this down and commit to taking action this week.
Aiming to be just 5% better each week will compound into huge leaps over time.
Seek professional help
If you find it challenging to navigate this journey on your own, consider seeking the help of a coach.
A coach will provide valuable guidance and support tailored to your unique situation.
Task: Coaches like me usually offer free support so you can get to know and trust them.
Take advantage of this! For example, you can book a free discovery call with me to experience a coaching session.
In just one session you can get amazing breakthroughs around connecting to your passion.
Don't compare yourself
Remember that everyone’s journey is unique. Avoid comparing your progress to others.
What matters is that you are on a path to finding your passion and living a more fulfilling life.
Task: We all have our own unique blueprint. Identify yours by completing the tasks above and then finishing the following sentences:
- I am passionate about …
- My skills and abilities in … will help me pursue my passions.
- I commit to setting aside time to … each week.
- By telling myself … I can work through any obstacles.
In conclusion, as a mid-career professional, you have the advantage of experience and wisdom.
Embrace this stage as an opportunity to rediscover your passion and align your career with your true calling.
The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Even taking one small action can help you unlock the doors to a more passionate and purposeful future.
Remember these steps to discover your career passion:
Self-reflection: Know thyself
Explore your interests
Network and seek guidance
Experiment and iterate
Find the intersection
Embrace change
Stay persistent
Seek professional help
Don’t compare yourself
Your passion is out there waiting for you to discover and embrace it, don’t wait any longer!
If you want to explore any of the points above with my expert guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
I’d love to hear from you and support you to get on track. I love helping people uncover their passion and purpose, and witnessing the joy and connection it brings.
Get in touch for details, I can’t wait to hear from you!
Sometimes it’s difficult to take the first steps out of your mid-career rut, or even know which steps to take. That’s where I come in as your coach.
Armed with my quarter of a century of work wisdom and the coaching skills to help you carve out your own successful career path, I’m ready to help you escape stagnation and get where you want to be.
Get started by downloading your FREE Mid-Career Navigator journal.
