How many people have told you, “Follow your passion,” “Find your passion,” “Pursue your passion” or “Find a job that you would do for free”. Yet in many cases “passion” is often a concept that is difficult to explain, hard to find and impossible to measure. It’s something that’s unique to each of us, with no one scale to determine it or map to guide us to it. This can be problematic in a society that is rapidly changing by the minute, a “good education” no longer guarantees work and a job no longer provides security or stability. We may be losing the structure and simplicity of the past, but we are exchanging it for the freedom to create our own future. As exciting or maybe overwhelming as this may be we’re not all necessarily ready for this responsibility. As much as we embrace freedom, we also seek the comfort of guidance and leadership. In order to discover our passion and unlock that freedom, we need some direction and a better understanding of what we are looking for. But, many of us get sidetracked by our own self-doubt that we dwell upon in our minds.
The Importance of Passion
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. Did we focus on our strengths or on our weaknesses? We focus on our weaknesses. If we have low grades in math, we spend more time on math. 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 quite a bit of time to sort out your true passions or your natural talents. In a world where people are constantly on the go, on their phones or on social media. Taking the time out to let you feel, dream, and imagine is very difficult, much less counter-culture. This time can help you in the pursuit of finding yourself and your passion.
Final Thoughts
The first step to finding your passion is to truly understand what “passion” is. It can be your calling in life may be something you are born knowing, but it may also be something you discover over time. Simply put it is something that will stem from your beliefs, be enhanced by your skills and sustained by the value that you are able to provide. The next time you feel energized and strong and like the best version of yourself pay attention to what you’re doing in that moment. Start to think what are you really passionate about that you know deep down you are destined to do. Dare to dream, dare to imagine the possibilities, and dare to actually search for what you love. Comment below I would love to hear what you all are passionate about and if you like this post, please share!
Copyright ©2016 Jay Colby All Rights Reserved
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Jay Colby 
This is an awesome post. I feel that is why we were blessed with an imagination. So that we can dream, and go in pursuit of our dreams so they can come true.
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By far the best I’ve read! Even though I still haven’t found my passion yet XD probably I will soon… I also read ur blog about the quotes and I enjoyed that too… I used a quote from ur blog about the ten famous quotes and my blog really shot up… Ur writings are awesome! Keep up the great work!
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So true! Although I do believe in working on our weaknesses and improving (I’m looking at you, Physics), I also know that I need to spend time on my passions–languages, world studies and philosophy. Thanks!
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Wow, you nailed it! I have attended workshops, retreats and read countless articles about finding your passion but I feel it’s not about finding it as it is about realizing your passion – something that’s already in you. I LOVE this line — The next time you feel energized and strong and like the best version of yourself pay attention to what you’re doing in that moment. Thank you!!
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Wow, you nailed it! I have attended workshops, retreats and read countless articles about finding your passion but I feel it’s not about finding it as it is about realizing your passion – something that’s already in you. I LOVE this line — The next time you feel energized and strong and like the best version of yourself pay attention to what you’re doing in that moment. Thank you!!
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Really good post, motivational speaking could be your passion! Also, do you own a camera or phone that takes pictures? Go to http://www.perfectlypictures.wordpress.com and click on contests 2016 to see details about my contest, and hurry, the deadline is May 14!
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A study by a Yale professor researched passion and found that those who were successful and passionate about what they did initially did what they were naturally good at. She found that being good at something led to having a passion in it. The people who do what they love like singing, but suck at it will never be able to make a career out of it if they aren’t able to give value to others. Which goes with Peter Drucker’s idea. In the book “managing oneself,” Peter Drucker, who was the founder of modern business management and a business professor at Harvard, said that people can only perform through their strengths. If you focus on what you’re bad at, the best you’ll become is average. but if you focus on what you’re good at, then you can eventually become great. Every should do what they’re good at, because that will yield passion and ignore the things they’re bad at
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This may typically be true and in some respects makes perfect sense, but I don’t necessarily agree. I had an entire career in a field that I was least qualified to undertake. Being reasonably intelligent and enjoying challenges I excelled in it beyond what your Harvard citations would find reasonable. I came to enjoy it because I became good at it (the reverse of what you describe). True passion, on the other hand, IMO, does sprout from natural abilities.
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Super fabulous post!
Thank you, it was in your finding me that I found you. I needed this today.
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What an inspirational post!
My husband and I were talking about this yesterday. I believe in finding passion in your work. While he doesn’t believe it’s possible to achieve as any job is a means to an end to provide for your family. He believes it is possible to like your job, but it’s still a “job.”
My thinking aligns with yours! We should focus on our inner strengths, and our passions and wherever they take us– then we can be happy. Work won’t just be a means to an end!
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I’m not much of a motivational reader, by this age having fallen into most understandings by way of experience or happenstance or utter determination. But I enjoyed this! It’s not overly flamboyant or lecturing as if the reader is an idiot (so many are); and its approach is practical, doable. Only to add to what you’ve written, sometimes we work too hard trying to find our passion. If we learn to relax in learning who we really are (easier said than done), our passion can come to the surface and find us. 🙂 Nice write, thank you.
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Love this post! I have a passion for dance and I actually love analyzing data. So I work in business and teach and perform dance. I couldn’t be happier getting to do both.
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Love this post, im very passionate about my friends and also very protective! This post is so inspirational!
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You know I had never really thought of the school point i.e. that we were encouraged to work hardest in those subjects we were least good at. If a certain minimum level were attained in those subjects then surely that is sufficient and should not our extra efforts go into that which we enjoy the most to develop our passion and skill in those? It is a very interesting point – I really enjoyed this article.
Katie
The Eclecticity.org
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Just awesomeness all the time Jay!!
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Loved this. I was experiencing that a couple months ago. I was so lost didn’t know what I wanted to do. Didn’t know much of anything at that point in my life. What I did noticed is that my passions are for ever changing. One minute I like doing this and the next I don’t. I guess that’s life. But your post spoke to me. Thanks for writing this.
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I like your post, you speak such a big truth.
I have many passions that make me just so happy, but they are completely not related in anyway, which my choices so much harder.
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So true 😇😇
Sabrina – http://www.OrganicIsBeautiful.com
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I constantly look for ways to keep me motivated. I like to hide some motivation, like in my bathroom vanity I have a post it with some encouraging words on it. When I open it, it reminds me to have a good day. I have similar things in my car.
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Loved this so much. Very motivational. I’m fortunate that I have found my passion. Great read!
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Great blog! Unfortunately, I haven’t found my true passion, yet but I know for sure that I’ll find it soon. Thank you for the motivating words, you’re an inspiration to my blogs as well!
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Wonderful post! I’m lucky enough to have found and followed my passion recently and this has opened up many new opportunities to grow as a person. I find life rewards you when you start to live life from a passionate place.
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Very interesting read. It would seem that some things are obvious on the surface, but if you think about it, is not so simple.
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This reminded me of a book called “StrengthsFinder.” It talks about focusing on what you love and excel at rather than trying to work on your weaknesses.
Blogging has given me a creative outlet (creativity is a huge strength of mine) and allowed me to explore those things I am passionate. It really does make you aware though of things you do because it is expected of you or out of requirement-rather than if it sparks joy or note.
Thank you for your thoughtful piece. I enjoy your editorial view on things.
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Definitely needed to read this! Love this post, thank you so much for sharing and inspiring me! 🙂
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Hi Jay: I really like your stuff. I thought you might be interested in doing a guest post on my blog – angelaheathspeaks.com. I talk to two segments within the baby boomer market — boomers making money using their talents and expertise and companies reaching the family caregiving market. Mindset shifting is huge as many are laid off and have no idea how they are going to survive. Others want to dust off old dreams and go for it. If you did something similar to this post, they would love it on the blog and my facebook group Baby Boomers Make Money. I would be willing to do an exchange if you like. I speak a lot on positive mindset and purpose and would be happy to write a post for you.
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Yesterday was a day that was low for me. You know how it is when you start following your passion again and from scratch and with some carry forward feelings today..well this post was a moral boost. Thank you so much. 🙂
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A fantastic article. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I feel that my passion has always been around building worlds. I love to create, to write, to breath life into an idea and see it flourish. I love to design new worlds in which to have those adventures and I get to revisit many of those worlds as I continue to expand the stories, the ideas, the history.
That is my biggest passion. Building worlds.
Maybe that’s why I’m working to build my own MMORPG.
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Thank you & that is an amazing. Have you always know your passion or did it take you sometime to figure out what exactly it was?
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It took me awhile. It has only been in the last half dozen years or so that I really dialed down to the root of my passion.
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I’ve heard that phrase thrown around forever. Since I am passionate about so many things art photography painting drawing,to name a few, when I lost a huge portion of my eyesight and could no longer enjoy these passions I was devastated. I had pushed a true passion.
, one I am even more passionate about than all of the others (for which I’ll won awards) I wanted something desperately to fill My time. I began thinking of writing and I found blogging. I am incredibly excited about meeting the wonderful people here. Energized by their thoughts prose, questions, ideas.
And even struggles overcome or ongoing. I’ve found my long lost passion for writing and I’m thrilled. You are so on the money about not giving up on passion. You will find it sometimes at the most amazing of moments. Loved this blog tyvm
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Thanks for sharing such an inspring story. You are right finding our passion can come at anytime. There’s not time table on when it will come.
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Thank you. It hit me up the side of the head, literally. So it can simply be there when you need it most.
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Wonderful post! I definitely fit under the category of getting a good education and not able to find a job. I realised a few months ago that gaming was a passion rather than a hobby which is one of the reasons I decided to start a blog in the first place: to share that passion with others. A lot of people already know what they are passionate about but as you say as a society we are always so focused on improving our weaknesses that we forget to focus on our strengths whatever those strengths may be.
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That is amazing that you’re following your passion of gaming. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. Thanks for reading!
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Thank you so much jay for the well wishes! I really enjoy reading your thought provoking content.
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Hi Jay. I really like this a lot and would like to re-blog. May I do so?
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Thank you & yes of course you can!
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Reblogged this on I think, I say, I do and commented:
I absolutely agree with Jay’s post here. It’s so true. I think that it’s a good read for most of us, if not all.
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I agree! Working on strengths > working on weakneses :))
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Yes that’s the key!
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“We may be losing the structure and simplicity of the past, but we are exchanging it for the freedom to create our own future.” SO GOOD. This post makes so much sense !
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Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Yes, sometimes its difficult to determine what that passion is. But with a little faith, soul searching and inspired action, that “passion” within will become clearer to see…
Wonderful post Jay! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
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Great insight & thanks for reading!
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I am not a firm believer in knowing what is the passion of your life, but yes I do agree that if as a child we are given then right direction by our school and elders and efforts are being put up to develop our strength than paying too much attention on our weakness then the personality of our would have been d if fee.
I have not yet found my passion and Iiterally don’t know how to discover it, so till then I am just going to wait and hope things fall in places because I am desperate to do well in my life.
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Thank you for reading & I wish you all the best on finding your passion!
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Thanks for sharing this post ! I am trying to find my passion in life ! I think it’s in my poems that I write ! I’m trying to write with passion and trying to help people who are struggling !
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Thank you I’m glad it resonated with you!
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very true
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Thank you!
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Welcome 🙂
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I agree. As someone who is following her passion, I’m incapable of disagreeing. But. I am going to nitpick, just a little.
You used school as an example of people not focusing on their strengths. Again, I agree, but no matter how much the world changes, social animals will always have to fit in to what /is/. At the moment, our society requires that we all know how to read, write and do basic arithmetic. These skills are the cultural equivalent of learning how to walk and talk as a baby. So an education system that focuses only on a child’s talents does not do that child any favours. That child will limp for the rest of her life.
In fifty years, six year olds may have to learn how to code, or do complex tasks in AR or VR. If AI ever comes into its own, children may do all their learning verbally without needing to read or write at all. My point, though, is that they will still have to learn to handle the tools appropriate to that time and place. Only once they are competent with /all/ the tools will they be able to ‘create’.
Apologies for taking the discussion in a different direction. Happy New Year. 🙂
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We both are alike……….you appreciate passion & me too..
i am promoting passion………let’s join hand
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Very insightful, Jay. You make some great points.
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Thank you!
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I Truly appreciate your post.
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Dainty M.
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I get what you are saying here, and obviously many people like this post. I like the general idea of finding our passion, but we can’t do so at the exclusion of building up our weaknesses. In fact, we will have a very difficult time in the world if we don’t improve on our shortcomings.
So we must do both. Look to our passions while improving on our weaker areas in life. Our passions may deserve our efforts, but so do our weaknesses…
Steve
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Well said I couldn’t agree more. Doing both is key to long-term success. Thanks for sharing such insightful thoughts!
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Thank you so much for allowing me to comment. Have a wonderful day!
Steve
https://lightministryblog.wordpress.com/
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This post is wonderful. You’re spot on with everything you say! We do spend a lot of our lives focusing on what we’re not very good at and can definitely overlook what we love to do!
Since I’ve stepped out of education I’ve been paying more attention to what I love doing and feel like I’m finally following my dreams!
Super motivational post! Always love reading your blog ☺️✨
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Thank you for reading & I totally agree focusing on what we love. Is a huge step to finding what exactly our dreams or goals are so we can achieve them!
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I’m one of the lucky ones who has a steady job that I enjoy. However, I have the lifelong dream of being a published author (since age 4). I’m working towards that with my current manuscript, so that’s my passion.
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This post is gold! I never thought about it in that way but it makes total sense. Thanks for being an inspiration, Jay!
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Thank you for reading!
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Wow!! True that, now!!
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Great read! It is time to view this “passion” advice more critically, cuz first it inspires, then it confuses. Not following passion makes one feel like a failure- but as you say, we are not trained to know what is is for us. Time to learn it by doing baby steps, by following our excitement even in tiny things.
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