How To Find Your Passion Or Purpose In Life
Finding the passion or purpose of the life could be a complex and overwhelming issue for most of the people. They just drown into the busy modern life and struggle to survive. Therefore, actually it is hard to think about the passion and purpose nowadays. I wrote this article because I thought I may help a bit to you in this subject. I try to explain how to find your passion or purpose in life.
Ever heard of ikigai? It’s a Japanese concept that might just hold the secret to finding your passion and purpose in life. Ikigai represents the idea of a reason for being, a focal point that brings satisfaction and meaning to your daily routine. It’s not just about finding what you love. It involves four unique elements that converge into a fulfilling path: what you love (your passion), what the world needs (your mission), what you’re good at (your vocation), and of course, what you can get paid for (your profession).
Let’s get into the essentials and basics of how this works. Imagine a Venn diagram with four overlapping circles, each representing one element of ikigai. The sweet spot – where all four circles overlap – that’s your ikigai! It invites you to thoroughly explore various aspects of your life, encouraging a balanced approach to find something that resonates with you.
The real-life examples prove the transformative power of ikigai. I know, it might sound a bit mythical, but the proof is the witnesses. There are countless stories out there of folks who harnessed the power of ikigai to redirect their lives towards more meaningful pursuits.
This isn’t just about creating a satisfying career path. It’s also about personal fulfillment that resonates beyond the paycheck. Ikigai is a wonderful approach, blending personal satisfaction with community contributions and individual talents. It’s a method that guides you to find the purpose, and it’s something you can begin to implement in your life right away.
Simon Sinek’s Insights: Navigating Your Path to Personal Fulfillment
Simon Sinek is a name you’re going to hear quite a bit when diving into the world of personal fulfillment. He launched a movement with a simple question: ‘Why?’ His works, particularly ‘Start With Why‘ and ‘Find Your Why’, are game-changers in understanding the importance of purpose in our professional and personal lives.
Sinek introduced the concept of the Golden Circle, which starts with the pivotal ‘Why’ at its center, followed by ‘How’, and finally ‘What’. This isn’t just about marketing or business strategy; it’s also about identifying the core of your personal beliefs and motivations.
In my opinion, ‘Find Your Why’ is a powerful tool for anyone on the journey to self-discovery. It encourages self awareness and provides a framework for organizing your thoughts and actions around your life’s true purpose.
Whether it’s career choices, entrepreneurship, or personal growth, understanding your ‘Why’ can be a profound guide. In the next section, I’m going to walk you through resources like books and online courses that can complement Sinek’s teachings and help further determine your path.
Educate Yourself: Top Books and Online Resources to Guide Your Journey
There’s a lot of opportunity to expand your knowledge through reading, and it’s never been easier to find guidance on the subject of finding your passion and purpose. Here’s a look at six influential books:
1. ‘The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything‘ by Ken Robinson – This book dives into how personal passions and talents can lead to the highest levels of achievement and satisfaction.
2. ‘The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose‘ by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood – It offers practical steps to identifying your top passions and aligning your life with them.
3. ‘The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do‘ by Jeff Goins – Goins encourages a new perspective on work that connects what you love with what you can contribute to the world.
4. ‘The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose‘ by Oprah Winfrey – Oprah shares stories and insights to inspire readers to seek their own paths toward personal fulfillment.
5. ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ by Angela Duckworth – Duckworth’s book emphasizes the role of passion in driving perseverance and ultimately achieving success.
6. ‘Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute To The World‘ by Tom Rath – Rath focuses on how individual contributions can create a life of meaning and purpose.
If you’re more of a visual learner or enjoy community interaction, YouTube has channels that bring these concepts to life. Check out these four:
1. The School of Life – This channel offers philosophical and practical advice on life’s big questions, including finding your calling.
2. Marie Forleo – Marie delivers business and life advice with a focus on overcoming obstacles and creating a fulfilling life.
3. TED Talks – With excessive amount of inspiring talks from diverse speakers, TED is a goldmine for those exploring life’s purposes.
4. GaryVee – Gary Vaynerchuk pushes viewers to chase their dreams with hustle and heart, making it a great source of motivation.
Lastly, consider enrolling in online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and MasterClass provide courses taught by experts in personal development. From ‘Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life’ to ‘The Science of Well-Being’, these courses offer structured paths to deeper self-understanding.
Now, as you’re equipped with books, channels, and courses that can help you in your quest, imagine the profound sense of joy and contentment that will come from finding your true passion…
The Joy of Alignment: How Finding Your Passion Enriches Your Life
You’re going to find out just how life-changing it can be when you align your daily actions with your deepest passions. This isn’t just about feeling good; it’s also about utilising your unique abilities and motivations to create a life with enthusiasm and achievement.
Through discovering your passion and purpose, you can experience significant social benefits. Imagine building relationships with like-minded peers, networking within communities that share your interests, and contributing positively to the lives of others. It’s about finding your tribe—where your work not only serves you but also impacts society in meaningful ways.
From a mental health perspective, following your passion can lead to amplified happiness, a profound sense of accomplishment, and reduced stress levels. Your passion becomes a natural motivator, encouraging resilience, promoting self-esteem, and contributing to a well-rounded personal identity.
Economically, passion can drive success. When you do what you love, productivity often skyrockets, potentially leading to greater financial rewards and job security. Employers value passionate employees, and entrepreneurs driven by passion are often those who innovate and excel in their fields.
I’ve shared insights into finding your passion through various means like the concept of ikigai, Simon Sinek’s teachings, helpful books, and resourceful YouTube channels and online courses. Now, it’s over to you. Start your journey, enrich your life with passion, and remember that your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last. You can always adjust your approach down the road.