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What’s YOUR Passion?

“The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It's encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way.” ~ Carlos Barrios, Mayan elder and Ajq'ij of the Eagle Clan

Find your heart, and you will find your way…it sounds so simple doesn’t it?
How does one go about finding their heart or discovering their passion?
Can you articulate what you are passionate about?

One of the many definitions of passion from merriam-webster.com is “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.” Passion is the difference between being exquisite at what you do and getting the job done. Passion is the difference between wanting to, and having to. Passion is your motivation, your reason for being, giving, sharing, or doing. Passion is demonstrated through words, actions, and emotions.

I have days, much like many of you I am sure, that I question what I am really passionate about and if I have indeed found my passion. What I have come to know about myself, and about others as well, is that a job title, an occupational category, or a profession rarely equates to a person’s passion. Passion is often rooted in a value and that value is the foundation for loving whatever it is you do. What are the underlying values for what you are passionate about? Check out this great values checklist to help you get clear about what is really important to you: http://tinyurl.com/valueschecklist. Knowing what the right work for you is takes knowing who you are and being clear about what is important to you at that particular moment in time. When you can identify what it is that is truly important to you, you can start to align your values with work that brings you joy.

When it comes to your passion it doesn't matter if you knew it or felt it, thought it or dreamt it, planned it or stumbled upon it...what does matter is that YOU made it a reality! There are endless quotes about finding your passion, following your heart, and living the life of your dreams. Here are a few of my favorites:

“I’d rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.” ~ George Burns

“You’ve got to find what you love. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” ~ Steve Jobs

“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” ~ Jane Goodall 

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” ~ Ella Fitzgerald 

"Love what you do. Do what you love." ~ Wayne Dyer

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius

“You ought to do more of what makes your heart happy and less of what makes it sad.”
~ Paula Wischoff Yerama ♥

For a FREE 30 minute job search consultation please feel free to contact Paula directly at paula@careerdesignsforlife.com or 780.589.2245.