Finding Passion for Practical People

For most (if not all) practical people nowadays (including myself at times), attempting to start finding passion is increasingly hard to do. We often find ourselves so trapped within our own little shells that the entire concept of taking risks seems a tad bit foreign to us. It's almost as if there's this inner voice doubting every action, closely over-analyzing each and every plan to the point of mania, and leading one to conclude that it is impractical to discover, and live out his passion. Closely in line with this, just a few moments ago while browsing the net, I couldn't help but notice livingwithintention's entry on Not Knowing Where to Start Finding My Passion.

I won't elaborate on the exact things written in that article though. Suffice to say, in this day and age it is indeed very hard to comprehend even the thought of testing the waters before pursuing your goals. Just the thought of it is quite unnerving and scary, especially for the practical people out there. At the same time, this feeling is laced with that uncanny feeling of awe and wonder at those lucky few who actually get to live out their passions. I mean, don't you get that feeling sometimes? That in as much as you admire all these people, you find it hard to accept doing what they did at a personal level?

I'm sure you guys have your own answers and reactions to the questions I just posed. That's alright. Keep a mental note of them and leave comments if you will at the end of this entry. Going back though, we beg the question "So how do I really start finding my passion" knowing fully that, practical as we are, the road to travel is not studded with rosy butterflies and beautiful rainbows.

I have often wondered about that question myself, hence from this seafoam arose this site. But really, how does one go about systematically breaking down the barriers of our practical thoughts? How does one spit in the face of this safety/security fixation?

I think we need an overhaul, and I'm not talking bout jeans or denim here. In as much as you need this practical element to keep you grounded to reality, you have to be aware of your own inner strength, your own inner diva (for the ladies out there). It's that mental toughness that gets you to be confident in OWNING these limits. Unofrtunately, this does not come easy. Personal development doesn't happen overnight or with a snap of a finger. But I believe I am in one with other self help and PD resources when I say that there are indeed steps that you can take to speed up the process.While I won't elaborate on these specific steps on this article (I shall write about it soon), I would instead want to direct you to read on up them. Like I continuously say, there are tons of resources online which you could take advantage of.

The only thing you have to know, is that personal development is a constant, everyday choice. You can't decide to change your world and start finding your passion today, and then take a break for a week or so before beginning again. It just doesn't work that way. Not everything is as easy as that. It entails a great deal of hard work as it is in the nature of practical people to be extra-OC in scrutinizing endeavors.

It is also by and large a personal battle, which makes the whole thing even harder. Don't lose hope though. Just focus and remember that you are innately powerful and that even these walls in our minds fall to our WILL AND TENACITY. Though difficult, finding one's passion should always be in the agenda of all practical people. 

Taking Risks Bravely

Taking risks in this day and age is more often than not frowned upon. Now, as then, we live in a world where safety and security is of primary importance, where daring to dream big and boldly is seen as courting the skirts of failure. Here in this kind of setting it is indeed very easy to get lost, to give up, to lose sight of your ideals. For some, it's almost as if the universe in its entirety conspires to keep them within the trappings of their comfort zones. But what about the gems in your new ideas? What of the billion after billion of dreams which, once followed, could shake the very foundations of this world? It's a shame that this same society which prides itself in innovation and invention, also in the same breath pulls other "dreamers" down.

In spite of, and in response to this I believe that we need to start Taking Risks Bravely. Here, I will be outlining 5 basic steps you can follow in order to smash your comfort zones, to chase after your dreams, and to achieve success. Although I strongly suggest following these steps, by all means don't be limited just to these five. There are dozens of motivation programs and advice you can find online which could hopefully provide more answers for you. But anyway, without much further ado. Let's begin.

1. "Break the Chains that Shackle Your Talents"

This borrowed line from Jose Rizal's Ala Juventud Filipina, is one that all current, and would-be risk takers should keep to heart. Each and every one of us is faced with constraints which chain us to our comfort zones. As mentioned previously, it causes us to doubt ourselves, our talents and our confidence. With this being said, we at Finding-My-Passion dare you to make a conscious effort to step outside your bounds and break your barriers. Write down the many things which you think limit you from achieving your goals, and create creative yet careful plans of beating each and every one of those nitty knots.

It doesn't have to be completely elaborate. It could come in the form of a single statement like "Nothing less" or "Impossible is Nothing." Simply put, be aware of these constraints and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Daring to risk entails bravely battling the limits that this society (and your own mind) set upon you.

2. Immerse yourself with experience

One of the most important things that people normally forget to think about is the necessity of experiencing novelty, of being immersed in the sheer dullness of the normality of everything before breaking out. This form of experience teaches us to be disturbed, to be moved to do something with our lives. For how can we shake the world coming from an unblemished point of reference? What else can move us to dream? What else can move us to risk bravely? Other than a glaring missing-ness this world carries with it.

On this same note, you should also strive to explore new things, to constantly immerse yourself with new experiences. Who knows, you just might stumble into that one thing that'll send your life into a 180degree turn, or make some awesome realization about whatever. Point is, do not be afraid to walk on the road less travelled. Break out of your shell, and explore unchartered regions.


3. Pump Yourself Up

Taking risks involves a whole lot of mental toughness and fortitude. Unfortunately though, this state of mind does not come naturally for most people.This is no joke. Many people in the past (and until today) floundered in the pursuit of their dreams because they lacked in motivation and tenacity. Despite this, there are however plenty of ways by which one can find motivation. A quick check online will give you millions of motivational techniques for personal growth as well as motivation programs to follow. While I leave these sights to discuss their techniques further, I strongly urge you to find creative ways of motivating yourself to take braver risks.

These programs, in so much as their effectiveness is relative with respect to an individual's own preferences/tastes/situation, will hopefully make you realize the tremendous potential that you carry within yourself. Thus, I believe that motivation is the key element in unlocking this aforementioned strength.

4. Use History to Inspire You

I don't know about you, but one of the things that pump me up the most to take adventurous risks is history. I love reading up on the stories of these great people in the past (and the not so distant past, as in the case of Mark Zuckerburg of Facebook fame). Reading up on their lives, we can trace their paths clearly: In the face of overwhelming (and defying) odds, these people dug deep, found their courage and bravely took the risk hitting it big time, and making their names and stories immortal.

These stories show you the tremendous power of the human spirit. I dare you to use them and their experiences to be inspired to carve your own paths, to make your own dents in history. As a great movie eloquently puts it: "We're here to make a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why even be here?"

5.  Take BRAVER and BOLDER risks.

Apart from the line Carpe Diem, there is another latin word that sticks out for me in the discussion of #5: the concept of MAGIS. Magis in latin means "More." This means not being contented with the trappings of complacency. It means pushing yourself forward, driving your passion and intensity onwards, and doing MORE everyday. Just think about it. Despite the macro-developments this society is and has been experiencing, how many people actually think about driving the world forward? How many people take the time to think about their lives and decide to do MORE? Just think about it, will you be a part of 99.9% of the world who are more than willing to just SETTLE, or will you be that uncanny 0.1%? MAGIS

Finally, a word of advice: please don't be limited by the 5 tips I have listed here. There are tons of other resources online which you could use to maximize your potential and find your passions. Personally though, I'd suggest buying books on these. You can usually find them in the self-help/psychology portions of your neighborhood bookstore. I hope these tips gave you somewhat of an idea on the things you could do to start taking risks bravely. Ciao!

Start Finding Your Passion in Life

They're unmistakable, you see them in different places: marquee names on the TV sets, on sold out concert arenas, on the courts, on the field, on different books and biographies, and even on the web: people living and breathing their passions. Unlike what would constitute roughly 99.9% of the world though, they stuck with their individual passions through and through, and now are raking in hefty paychecks to boot. These are the inspiring stories of great ones who refused to be cowed by the status quo, those who set out on the less-traveled path of finding, discovering, and living out their passion.

Admittedly, growing up, I was always interested in these people. I don't know how many of you had heroes you looked up to as a child, those select individuals you held up on such high pedestals, but for me these bunch of dreamers were my heroes. Reading their stories, I often wondered what on earth drove these guys to pursue acting/mastering an instrument/inventing things/ tinkering with computers/ and other like endeavors. Like many people, I initially felt that finding your passion was of paramount importance but far from practical. I mean I'm no Einstein, and I'm pretty sure I'm no Tchaikovsky either. In this context, I'm more than willing to bet that those same sentiments I held are currently present in most people nowadays.

But despite the seeming impracticality of following your passion, these highly talented individuals hit it big nonetheless in the face of overwhelming odds. What sets them apart from anyone anyway?

A college degree? Nope, it's interesting to note that some of the richest people in the world are drop outs.

Size or strength? Nope! Take Earl Boykins for example (formerly a Nuggets star in the NBA). Or Napoleon, if you wanna be more historical. Both people proved to the world that neither size nor seeming physical strength matter in the pursuit of your goals.

But what on earth matters then?
What then caused their astronomical rise?

It's Passion.

As you'd find out in their individual stories, these people had an intense awareness of their passion, an awareness that directed them to continue finding and discovering innovative ways to improve. They chased it. They starved for it. They spat at the face of Risk and pushed on with their passion despite all the odds and naysayers. This in turn, earned them enviable success and very much coveted spots in history.

But now you may be asking, so how exactly does one go about finding his passion in life? How do I find my passion in life? And when I do find it, how do I develop it? These are the very same questions that each person asks himself at least once in life. In this website, hopefully you'll be able to pick up interesting tidbits to aid you in discovering your passion in life, as well as helpful tips to improve upon your passion (for those who are sure of themselves already).