What is Passion?
According to Merriam-Webster, “Passion” refers to a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement either for something or about doing something. But I guess, it’s not something that could generalized. The Passion that we know is like a solution, that somehow brings meaning to our life and existence! Something that we love to do irrespective of the circumstances, something that inspires us to continue, something that resonates with ourselves, something that feels “Exquisite”!
Now, let’s get to know some common types of people around us categorized in context with the subject “Passion”
- Type 1: People who know their passion and they continue doing it
- Type 2: People who aren’t aware of their passion, hence trying to figure out
- Type 3: People who know their passion, but not following the same instead hopelessly accepting their current plight.
- Type 4: People who aren’t aware of their passion, but not trying to figure it out, constraining and limiting themselves in their jar of shackles
- Type 5: People who already know their passion, doing that as well but not acknowledging the same as their passion.
Finding passion is something that has been considered a big deal by our society. That is considered as a major achievement that gives meaning to our existence. Well, Now to the main question that has been in the society for decades and centuries. How do we find out our passion? Where to start? What to do with the life? How to give meaning to the existence of our life?
Passion is not your Purpose
Whenever people seem lost or tired of what they are doing, they usually get in search of their purpose in life. But I would say, starting with finding the purpose of life is like a “Grand Canyon”. The probability of finding an answer to the same will be hard. Instead, it’s far easier to start with finding your passion!
It might be possible that you might be having multiple passions. There is nothing like a rule that says that you should only have a single passion. It’s the “Interest” that ignites the soul and ultimately transforms it into your passion.
Now, let me share you with a weird little secret!
“Anything can be made into your passion, if you spend quite a large amount of time in mastering the skill/domain/area that interests you”.
Just remember this fact that “Every Expert was once a Beginner”. Depending upon the environment we grow in, some people can have some advantages. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t achieve the heights! Invest your time with systematic consistency in mastering it!
From Cal Newport’s book – So Good They Can’t Ignore You, I understood this concept that the more you spend time mastering a subject, the more control you gain over the area and it probably becomes your passion, even if you couldn’t accept it! [ Note: It doesn’t mean that’s your life’s purpose! Just Passion]
Finding your Passion! – Harmonious passion
Now let’s get to the Secret to find your passion!
Approach your passion like you are approaching your Crush! There might be many things that interest you, just like the way you feel crush to many people you meet. Some crushes may feel like “ He/She is the one “ that you were looking for your whole life. But when you get to know them better, you may realize that it was just an infatuation. When you get to know them only you can decide whether to go for that person or not! Either you end up fulfilled or else you will learn a great lesson from it!
Similarly, Get yourself exposed to many things and figure out what you like! Decide what you were looking for all this time! Trust and enjoy your journey! There’s a good probability that you might not understand the things you are doing! It’s okay! Maybe all the effort you had put in might work together and make sense to find the right passion for you. Who knows?!
It’s not how you started it matters, it matters how you go once it gets started. The right Purpose comes with an exceptional motive. Remember, That’s the cue you were waiting for. Enjoy the journey!
Having No purpose is completely Normal and it’s okay to stay the same. Don’t push yourself too much to figure out your purpose. Let it come to you!
Dark side of Passion – Obsessive passion
Suppose that your parents already decided or you have decided on a life partner for you at the time of your childhood. You might be okay with that person being your life partner, but it has constrained you to be with that person. As you might have already told about that person in your circle, it might be hard for you to leave that person as well!
This is exactly the same problem with deciding on your passion at the initial phase of your life. Everybody wants to be a Doctor/Engineer/ Pilot at first. They advertise the same as well. Now when the time comes to switch or reassess their decision, it threatens their Identity! Mentally limiting their freedom, forcing them to pursue what they have started and eventually getting worn out of this long-term engagement.
Also, some people are born with talents! Off spring-Gene-DNA thing I’m talking about here. It’s up to them to take it further. Just because you were born as a child of a great singer, doesn’t mean you are born with a “passion” in the music industry. Young minds are like an Indian Milkweed flowing in the wind! There’s a high probability when you grow more and consume more content, you may realize and learn things that reassess your decision on pursuing your “passion”!
Newport’s law – Telling a young person to follow their passion reduces the probability they will end up passionate.
Action Items – For Type II, III, and IV people
- Get yourself exposed to various skills/domain/areas of your interest
- Select the right Skill/domain based on your research and develop mastery over the same
- Master Time Management and Make time for Personal Development. Make it your Priority.
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- Just follow the rule – Be 1% better than yesterday!
- Dedicate time for Deep Work
- Work, Re-work, and Re-work again on your skill development
- Give yourself a Break and Think – Get yourselves some Free time to think
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- Society doesn’t want you to think as it gives you freedom by breaking their norms
- Ensure what you are doing is the right thing you want to pursue
- Question your Learnings, Question your Actions, and Question your Identity
- Don’t push yourself too much to figure out your purpose. Let it come to you!
All the best my Friends. I hope you do find your passion as well. Thank you for spending your time reading my Blog!
