Apr 18 2008
7 Questions To Finding Your True Passion
According to a recent survey, about 75% of the population do not know what their true passion is. Clearly, almost everyone seems to not be doing what they were meant to do. This is an eye-opener because doing what we really love is absolutely necessary if we want to be fully happy. Perhaps this is why there is so much unhappiness going on in our society, people just aren’t doing what they are here on Earth for. Finding your true passion isn’t as simple as it may seem. For some, yes it does come naturally, but most of the time, you have to ask yourself some questions to pinpoint exactly what you were born to do. Here are my 7 questions that can guide you to finding your ultimate passion:
What puts a smile on your face?
Is there a particular event, a particular topic that makes your whole face just lighten up? Whatever it is that makes you smile, and makes you happy whenever you encounter it, this is a sign of something you are passionate about. I truly believe that happiness and passion walk hand in hand. Both require each other. So following what makes you truly happy is a wonderful way to figuring out what you were put on Earth for. Think about something that you do or that perhaps you used to do that brings total peace to you when you do it. Peace is happiness, and happiness is passion.
What do you find easy?
Usually, what we find easy for us to do, will be related to what we are passionate about. It’s very hard to hate something that is very easy for us! For example, let’s say you are naturally good at playing the piano, you will find the activity easy, and this ease makes it much more fun for you. Fun leads to happiness and happiness is synonymous with passion 
So assess everything that you do, whatever it is that you find really easy and fun, this may very well be your passion. And don’t think that anything is off limits or silly. Some people have taken their passion for skateboarding, drawing, or collecting to full fledged careers. Remember this, you can make a career out of anything you are passionate about.
What sparks your creativity?
One of my passions growing up was hockey. It’s not too surprising, being Canadian and all 
But I remember playing for hours and hours, and always coming up with different plays, and different methods to score goals. I was always full of creativity when playing hockey. Later in life, I developed similar creativity in business. Think about something in your life where you seem to always expand its horizon, always coming up with new, fun, and exciting ideas relating to that subject. Whatever makes you creative, is probably something that you are very passionate about.
What would you do for free?
In this society, we are ruled by the almighty dollar. That’s the way the system works, and that’s the game we have to play. The problem is, this leads many people to seek making money first, instead of what makes them happy. I have read countless number of stories about stock brokers and doctors for example, leaving their high paying positions to follow what they really love. There is a reason for that. I truly believe that if you follow what you are passionate about without thinking about if it will make you rich or not, you will end up being successful. Doing what you have a passion for brings out your best, and this leads to greatness. Greatness breezes to success. Do you think that the most successful people in the world got to where they are because they wanted to get rich? Absolutely not, they did what they were so passionate about, and their immense success was just a byproduct of their dedication. So think about something that you would just love to do, even if you were not getting paid. Think about something that you look forward to do, something that you wish you could do all the time.
What do you like to talk about?
The topics of conversation we have can definitely tell what we are interested in, and this is a good way to find out what we really enjoy in life. Most of the time, we aren’t totally aware of this. This is why, a very good way to figure this out properly, is to ask your friends. Ask them what they believe you like to talk about the most. Ask them what topic makes your eyes brighten up, and changes your entire behavior. I can guarantee you that some of their answers will be surprising to you. Some of these things weren’t that clear to you, but your friends can see the reaction on your face that you can’t see yourself. Try it out, it’s a very insightful exercise, and one that can direct you closer to figuring out your passion.
What makes you unafraid of failure?
When we do what we are passionate about, we have total confidence in our abilities. This makes us not worry about failing, because in our mind, how can we fail when we do what we love? Doing what you love is a success in and of itself, so failure is like an impossibility. Think of something that you just do or want to do, no matter what. Something that you do not have second thoughts about. Think about something that you feel you must do and that failure is not even a concern of yours, because the mere act of doing it is like the journey and the destination all wrapped up in one. This may very well be your true passion.
What would you regret not having tried?
We all have these dreams, and somehow, life pushes us in another direction, and next thing we know, we are far from those dreams we used to have. If you were at the end of your life, what would you regret not having pursued? What would you have liked to do, that you didn’t get a chance to? Think about what that might be. Whatever it is that you may experience regret now or later on for not having tried, this is a good chance to be your true passion. There is nothing worse than arriving at the end of the journey and having regret. This is why finding your passion, and following it is so important. Live your life so that you do not have regrets.
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Great post! Your questions are a great way to explore finding your passion! Thanks for the great thoughts!
Hi Mike. Thank you much! I’m glad you like the post. Clearly, doing what we are passionate about is very important, yet something that we either overlook, or that we don’t know how to approach properly. Hopefully these questions can help navigate in the right direction to figure out what we are really want out of life
I enjoyed this post, although have been having challenges with the “What would you do for free?” part. I already am following my passion for free, yet with a wife and son it is more difficult (or perhaps just my perception of difficulty?) to make the transition to leave my job and follow my heart.
Lately, I’ve been working daytime at one job, then after my wife and son go to sleep following my passion. This seems to be working for now, since I can then make ‘the switch’ to following my passion full-time once I’m confident that my family will be provided for.
Hi Chris, I know what you mean. You are following a logical approach, and that is very good. You have responsibilities and you can’t compromise them by leaving everything to follow your passion.
I did the same thing, until what I was passionate about became sustainable on its own so that I could follow it full time. Just be patient and never lose sight that you are still doing what you like nonetheless and that all this will be worth it in the end
Funny, in my experience once you start doing what you like for living…. you stop liking that, it becomes boring a source of stress instead of join. YMMV
This is a really great article! I think that following your passion and living what you love are truly the best gifts that you can give to yourself.
I suggest you check out these two books:
A New Earth, Awakening to your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
The Passion Test by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood
I liked this very much. I’m in college and sometimes it’s hard to know if what I’m feeling is right, so it’s nice to find articles like this that help affirm my belief in my own decisions :]
In addition to “what would you do for free?” I think it’s important to expand this to “and what would you do for $X?” – everyone has a “price”, and knowing where your limit lies helps in setting boundaries for self-worth.
Anita
This post was amazing! This is what I tell all my friends and family about finding their passion. I have found mine (Baking) and I absolutely cannot live without doing it anymore. I have even gone so far as to start my own small business of a home kitchen bakery. It is so exciting and fulfilling. All in all, awesome post…I really enjoyed it.
Great post. It’s so important to key into individual passions because they are what motivate us and are the root of our unique purposes on Earth. Simple, thought-provoking questions to help uncover what we are all meant to be doing…
Really like the “What do you like to talk about?” and “What makes you unafraid of failure?” questions — I’ve seen quite a few articles on finding your passion, living your purpose, etc and those actually gave me a different angle to think about.
Thanks!
Ali
Interesting that you mention – “what makes us unafraid of failure” simply because I’ve found with my clients and my own experiences that we often avoid living in alignment with our passions because we are “afraid” of failing at them.
So, even if we know our passion and strength is music (as an example), we will often still pursue a life of traditional schooling and end up in other jobs mainly because we fear that this amazing passion will be deflated if we choose to live our life in its pursuit.
This is often the case for artists – musicians, writers, painters – who are so afraid to have this incredible passion impacted by negative experiences when we put ourselves out there that they choose to keep their passion as a hobby or give it up altogether.
Curious to know your thoughts on resistance toward living in life with our passions when we already know what they are?
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
It’s possible that such behavior is the result of the fear of failure, or even at a deeper level, the fear of success.
What i meant by being unafraid of failure is having that little feeling within your gut that tells you that “this is what I should be doing”…you know that is your destiny when that gut feeling is so strong. Now of course, without taking action, this all becomes a huge waste, so that is why it is important to follow what we are passionate about.
Now, we can have many passions in life, but I truly believe that the one passion that surpasses all others will make us unafraid of failure, because the mere act of following through with it is success in itself. I can speak from experience as I left a cushy job many years ago to follow what I loved doing, and kept going even if I found myself in huge debts, without any guarantee that I would make something out of it. I just knew I had to follow that path, and it ended up paying off a few years later.
Yes at times, it can be scary, and you can have doubts, but the key is to pay attention to that gut feeling, because it is usually right. Knowing that it leads somewhere, even if the road can be bumpy, is enough to keep going at it.
Very good question though!
Frederic
Hi Zane,
I’m really happy for you that you are living your dream! That’s awesome
Good idea too to spread the word and help our close family & friends follow their dreams as well….I do the same with people around me. I know SO MANY people that have high paying jobs and they are miserable. I always try to show them that in life, doing what you love should come first…the rest will fall into place afterwards.
Keep up your great work!
Frederic
I find that doing what I absolutely love to do for a living is stressful, but I wouldn’t trade it for any job in the world. Unless I got paid ten times more for pushing a button. Then I’d have more time to do what I love.
Even if what you do for a living isn’t your passion, you still should enjoy what you do, or you’re wasting your life away!!
Your post reminds me of something that someone once told me: if there is something you really want in the world, all the universe will come together to help you acheive it. Something like that. Maybe it’s about generating positive energy. If you can create positivity within yourself, then it can spread to those around you.
Thanks for an uplifting post.
Hi Gee,
yeah, I believe that. I think that when you follow your passion, everything aligns itself in the Universe so that you become successful at it. I mean, to me, merely following your passion is success in itself.
Glad the post could inspire you
cheers
Frederic
thank you
all i can think about is Dancing, music …….but where do i begin from……(sigh!)
Hi Mavi…you can certainly think about a point from which to start with. Try to figure out how you can incorporate what you are passionate about with a career…there are tons of ways to make a living in the dance/music industry, you just have to figure out your starting point and give it a try
Hi Frederic
Just stumbled your blog and really enjoyed your well written posts. As a coach too, there’s a lot of ‘guf’ spoken about self improvement, and your site made a refreshing change! I totally endorse the points you give here for finding your true passion. I’ve recently done some research with clients and friends into how possible it is to work at what you love and get paid for it – this often comes up as a concern for people who say it’s all very well suggesting that I work at what I enjoy, but I also need to earn money. The responses so far have been a resounding yes, it is poss to do what you love and get paid. Do you know of any major research that’s taken place on this topic as I feel it would help a lot of people to know that finding their passion, and potentially turning that into work and/or a way of life, is something that can only help them to live happier lives.
I’ve clicked your RSS feed and look foward to keeping in touch with future posts – thank you.
All the best
If only I don’t have to worry about jobs, money, food, shelter, war, freedom, responsibility, I’ll not find my true passion.
…7 questions to finding your true passion…
A thoughtful post.
hey i would like to discuss a few things with you in context with your blog text.
regards,
shreya
Fredrick,
I am disabled and unable to work due to Multiple Sclerosis, but your post really made me think. Then I have discovered my true passion. I will begin to pursue it by volunteering my time, at various MS organizations.
Thank you very much for the inspirational blog.
Thank you once again,
Mario
Hello Mario,
I’m humbled that my post could help you find your passion and that you seek to help others….I’m really happy for you and wish you the best! Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and I hope it helps others reading this find their true passion as well
best regards!
Frederic
Very good , all of them are True,
we must Enjoy life to success,
it is the secret of Life.
You really help me!!!
Wonderful list, bookmarked and printed. This will be a great tool for my clients who I try to mentally inspire as well as physically whip into shape.
Great Post !! Nice Questions
Attitude is the way you mentally look at the world around you. It is how you view your environment and your future. It is the focus you develop toward life itself….
I’ve failied at so many things I’m not afraid of failing anymore. I do things that take my interest at any given time, but none are passions. The lack of fear of failure does not expose a passion. Now I look for passion and find just one big blank.
Nothing I have done has been easy, regardless of whether I had a smile on face. I’ve spent years getting to start lines that younger people have exceeded from a position of total inexperience. No one can do anything for free for long. We all have to eat and living on the street is not a likely passion, or a place where anyone will find one.
It’s time to come clean. The common myths of this article are not indicators of passion any more than hair colour is an indictor of good health.
Rick, I 100% completely disagree with your stance. Sure, we have to make compromises in life…we can’t all follow our passion 100% of the time. However, to think that doing what makes you smile or happy is worthless is exactly the type of perception that creates bitterness. And believe me, I can smell the bitterness within your response all the way here in Montreal! Life hasn’t been easy for you I think. Believe me, I know all about it. I worked at something I hated for years, then I worked for free for years (lived on credit/loans)…so that I could finally do what I loved doing. I paid that price, nothing’s for free in this world.
Everyone on this planet has a passion or many passions. Not following it is like turning your back on who you really are. Working only for money or to have a certain “lifestyle” will only continue the unhappiness and make it deeper and deeper. Perhaps nothing excites you about life yet…look further. You have passions like everyone else.
Great words to live by. I try to follow my passion in everything I do. Thanks for the advice.
Wonderful post, wonderful advice. Stuff like this should be taught in schools and colleges! then more people would find their porpose in life. I will return, a great site.
Great post, I don’t think I ever had a job I didn’t want, or like to do. I wouldn’t say that I had a passion for any of the jobs I held though. More of a desire to accomplish something that I had never tried before, and be the best at doing it.
I don’t know many people, who smile about doing work. But you have to enjoy what you are doing or it becomes work.
The one thing I always had a passion for is working out, so I recently started a blog for people looking to stay healthy and young. Even though I have no clue how this will ever put food on the table, it is something I have a passion for.
Life is a journey, so enjoy the roads you travel on!
I think this is great.Im currently in a situation with my wife because I got married and I didnt realize how much I was involved into my music more than my wife.I even told her in so many words that my music is first.Im about to leave her after 1 year and 3 months.All because I believe in my gift of music.Marriage is beautiful and ordained by God but so is the Gift that he has graced me with.I want to be able to take care my wife and my kids{one day} and at this time in my life Im not financially stable,and I just found out what my passion is.I just found out what Im supposed to be in life.I have no education,no guaranteed checks coming in.Everything I make isnt promised the next week.All I have is a huge passion for my music and everything mentioned in this article is a reflection of myself.When God gave me Life,he gave me my Gift,thats all I got when that dies,Ill be with it.
One Chance….please comment and tell me what you think.
Hi Waine,
Thank you for sharing your story. I totally know how you feel about pursuing your passion and not being guaranteed any money coming in. I’ve lived like that for years. The key is to never ever give up. Keep at it, and perhaps even find a happy medium with your family. Your family can be your foundation that keeps you solid, remember that.
cheers!
hi, this is a great article
I have a few questions on it. first of all I think it is true, or at least can be, that when you do your passion for your job it loses it’s spark, especially if you are teaching it which is what most people in music or sport (including me) need to end up doing
and in any case now I am questioning, after having done my sport since I was 7 and now I am 32, is it what I want to continue doing? In the last few years I stopped enjoying competing, but I have continued coaching
however, it can be lonely as it is normally after school and private lessons, so I feel stuck during the day times when everyone else is at their 9-5 job
so I am considering a career change, OR taking what I currently do to the next level, really trying to expand it and make it cool and into a much bigger business, where I employ people and do motivational talks during working hours, which is something I have been interested in for years
I feel very passionate about business and thinking like an entrepreneur…so maybe switching into a traditional career eg law, would actually be a shame for me, perhaps I am in the right place I just need to make the effort to lift things to the next level
any ideas?
also I see there is emerging a debate about the money question
and I myself feel I don’t know which side feels right to me, and it is something I would really like to resolve…
the question seems to be basically: *how important is money*, that simple
I feel very jeolous that my brothers chose traditional careers and they are making a lot of money. on the other hand my youngest bro started a business based on his passion and he is only 19 and already making big money too!
so I guess looking at my own siblings it shows that both methods can work
for me money seems to represent my self worth. I am not sure if this is good or bad that I think like that? at first I think it must be unhelpful, but on the other hand I feel as though I am undervaluing myself and not reaching my potential financially, so it also feels like some of my issues around money are justified as they are signalling to a deeper problem ie lack of confidence in my own worth, services etc
I read Richard Branson’s autobio, it is great, and in it he talks about never doing anything ‘unless there is an element of fun in it’ ie he never does any activity solely for the money, and he made it…after a fairly big struggle… to be a billionaire!!!
also Andrea Bocelli had to struggle until he was 34 before he was recognised and started making money for his music
finally – is there a way to TRACK this blog so I get an email update when someone posts?
thanks a lot!!
I truly believe that being successful goes hand-in-hand with making a career out of something you’re passionate about. Second, you must have a clear vision of what you want your end result, or goal, to be. I use visualization every single day to calm my nerves and create focus around my goals and desired outcomes in life.
I understand that you need to know what your passions or interests are in order to be successful or at least have a direction. I am 45 and a father of four in a very dfficult financial situation not being able to provide for my family and worse yet, so unhappy with no career or future for myself which important in order to help my family. My problem is that I have suffered with ocd and add for my entire life and I cannot think clearly enough to figure things out for my future path. Can anybody suggest someone I can contact who understands what someone like me is going through and may be able to offer me some help. Thanks
JIm
make sense to me. It’s always important finding your passion. It SHOULD be taught in school. Sounds simple, but the world would be a better place if people were to just do what want to do (in the sense that they don’t just ‘get a job’). This may not be realistic…but would be nice
Thanks for this article.
I am in a phase of realizing my passion. I shared the article with my family members and friends.
hi i am quite young…like im 17 years old, and i have a huge question to ask! and please answer!
i have many passions, i love to sing,dance,draw,and create stories. I am very shy and i really want to get over it… i use to want to be many things…a lawyer,a real estate agent, a filmmaker, an animator…
But now im more into singing and dancing and performing.
as i wrote i am very shy and it hinders me from doing what i want to do. and i AM afraid of failure in all the things that i love to do. im not really getting the support i need either.
OK ACTUALLY I GOT MORE THAN ONE QUESTION:
1. IS IT NORMAL TO GO THROUGH A PHRASE OF NOT HAVING ANY PASSION AT ALL, OR IS THIS DEPRESSION?
2. is their such a thing as a moment passion,for example, where you first love to draw and was passionate and then moved on to acting because of the moment or surroundings?
3. can surroundings influence a person’s passion?
4. what if you cant do what you love because fear IS holding you back and because of shyness?
THANK YOU,
Anonymous
Hi Anonymous,
I think there is some interesting link between your passions and what you want to be. As you like to draw, you can be a animator/filmmaker…so it sounds like in creative design/art. and you can freelance singer/dancer over the weekend, if you would like to.
hope this help
This post is proof of its argument: Frederic enjoys writing, helping and counseling. He’s good at it, you can tell, but he’s also motivated and passionate about the issues he discusses. He’s responded to people’s reactions. Good for you, man. I covet your position and highly anticipate the day where I feel at home in the workosphere.
Jeremy
“I truly believe that if you follow what you are passionate about without thinking about if it will make you rich or not, you will end up being successful.”
I truly agree with you on this Mike. Nothing makes success much sweeter than getting successful on what you love to do.
Oops sorry I meant Frederic, what was I thinking about. LOL!
Thanks for the inspiring article. Will be back to read more.
Dave
LifeExcursion
Another question you can ask to find passion is: “How can I serve others?”
Often the true passion is revealed once you start to commit your life to something bigger than yourself.
I have found that creating inspiration in others has awaken the passion inside of me
Yes, there are many useful techniques to help you find your passion so pick one and get started. Joe
Hi Frederic,
What a fantastic article. I really enjoyed reading it and you have certainly given some brilliant starting points for people to look into when trying to discover their passion. I find that sometime the hardest part is just knowing where to start, and your 7 step guide is certainly a great place to begin. Congrats on a brilliant article and thank you for the great read.
Now that I have I identified my passion whats next? By the way Great article!!
Provocative article! One can never assume they have arrived, time changes our reasoning and logic; causing us to re-evaluate our mental processes. Thanks for the input.
Thanks Fredric,
Your post has been very thought provoking.
I have a slightly different issue though. I have been doing very well in academics throughout and have secured Engineering (Pakistan) as well as MBA degrees (Canada). Since my higher secondary education, I have been asking my teachers, parents and friends about what I am good at and most of them say, “you are good at everything.” They may be giving out a compliment though it leaves me in a fix further.
- I have worked in Telecom for the past ten years (with no big successes),
- did my MBA in Finance (liked it though not loved it) after five years of telecom experience,
- keep thinking of a PhD in project management and then teaching, (though I have turned 37 now)
- keep looking on jobs in social development (that does attract me)
- or to immigrate to Canada in aspiration of a more congnenial environment to tap my passion.
The “killer” is a feeling that I could do a lot more but with a four member family setup (two kids), I need to keep going with the current pace to keep paying the bills regulalry in a better than average living conditions in my country.
I feel badly entangled at times.
Any advice please!
haiii,
I like your post!
I am a 22 year old girl still going to school (economics). I wonder if I want to spent my whole life working from 9-5. I just dont see myself doing that. I really would like to have a small company, but the thing is. How to be different from the rest to make it a succes? What is the key?
To Priya & Jamal,
Follow what feels right. Whatever it is that you are passionate about, that will be the most inspiring option available to you. Learn to listen to your gut feeling…it is usually right. Also, remember that all is due in time. They say that timing is everything in business, and that holds true also for following what you are truly passionate about. Even if you don’t start working on what you are passionate about tomorrow, you CAN work on working towards making you passion a reality in your life at some future point in time. So never let that thought leave you. Always let your passion motivate you to get through what you need to do to make it happen eventually.
regards
Wow, I got a lot just from reading the responses to your article. I think your article is very inspiring. Thank you.
I wish to make a plea to those of us who think that finding your passion is either not worth the effort, or see it as doing what you love for free only. First, the last bit to me just means that you would do what you love even if it would be for free. From all the successful stories I have learned from, money always follow your passion. Never give up on yourself. I am paying the price now for not listening to that still small voice, the one that wants you to be happy. I did just what mostly others thought was what I should be doing. What I thought was the right thing, and not what would make me happy. Until one day I got up and asked myself in almost agony, is this all there is to my life? If this is all I do not want to go on. I then realized I was not on the path I came here to be on. Unfortunately, I have not YET found my passion, but I have taken important steps to find it. My plea then is to never give up on your passion. You have one, we all do!! It’s a fact. I also feel impressed to say, the journey you will embark on to find your passion will be the most important part of it all. What you will learn about yourself and others will be so inspiring and growth promoting you will never regret taking that road. “Seek and ye shall find”. Bibble. “It’s not the end result, but the journey…”. “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. Isaac Newton. Learn from those who have found their passions. All the best to you all.