Digging into what you Love

SHOW NOTES:

On this show…we are pulling out the spade and readying the ground as we start digging into what we love. What are you passionate about? What creates that exciting anxious feeling and what puts a smile on your face? Now, how often do you dig in and lose yourself in what you love? For many of us, what we love is a mirage or eutopia. When we get everything else done and satisfy the needs of everyone else, we will set off in search of this wonderful place. But unfortunately, that day never comes and if we have been lucky enough to grab a glimpse, it’s been fleeting. Well today, let’s agree to table the rest or stick a pin in the to-dos while we explore creative ways to bring what we love to the top of the list.

If you’re like me, you spend the majority of your day getting ready for work, working, or unwinding for work. On the weekends you are desperately trying to do anything but work, which usually means, all the other work. The house, the children, the endless honey-do projects. Oh don’t get me wrong, I hear your world’s tiniest record player playing “You’re Breaking My Heart” and really, I’m not necessarily complaining. I actually love to work. Not in the way I love warm chocolate cookies, a good binge series, or a memorable 80’s ballad – but I do enjoy my work. 

What I’m saying is if I was put on the spot and asked “what I love and how often do I do what I love”, I might stumble and struggle for an eloquent answer. See, I’m always harping on finding a healthy balance because these topics are for me too. I continue to fight for a healthy balance. 

I’m getting better and like with anything, a consistent reminder and some new strategies are always helpful. So let’s figure some stuff out. First, what do you love? When is the last time you explored this idea and were honest with yourself? Odds are what you love and are passionate about has changed over the years. Which by the way, is normal. I mean if I told you trading Barbies is what I love you might look at me funny but back in the day, it was a popular pastime. 

Today looks quite a bit different for me. I’m empty nested by 5 years which as you know is game-changing. When ballgames, dances, homework, dinners, and extra-curricular were a focus you had plenty of places to invest your energy. Now, totally exposed and free to choose, you have to dig deep and go within to see where want to focus – for fun, something spiritually satisfying, or something you’ve never ever tried. 

Sounds like we have a path. Let’s also uncover the obstacles and address them for what they are. If they’ve held you back before then they will continue to do so if we don’t hit them head-on. Sound fair?

Your passion could be something completely separate from your “day job” or they could meld and become one and the same. So let’s start by helping you find it before we can decide what to do with it. 

Liam Donoghue helps us out with: How to Find Your Passion: 4 Tactics for Finding a Fulfilling Pursuit found at passion.io

Nikki Moberly teaches us: How to let go of control and free up some headspace found at betterup.com

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: Digging into what you Love

  1.  Passion is something within everyone and it is unique to each individual on the planet
  2. Your passion can be fluid and ever-changing
  3. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you refuse to open your eyes to beauty (metaphorically I mean) you’ll never see it
  4. Thinking about the type of impact you want to have on the world is a good way to find your passion
  5. The world is your oyster, anything is possible, no debts, no doubt, no struggle. You’re free, what do you do?
  6. Your passion can be anything or anywhere and once we understand and accept that we can all start living passionate lives
  7. A shift needs to happen towards a mindset that focuses on self-efficacy rather than on controlling external factors
  8. Focus on our inner world of mindset, outlook, and emotional regulation
  9. Letting go of what you cannot control also opens the door to exciting or interesting possibilities that you have not even envisioned
  10.  Surrender = the complete acceptance of what is + faith that all is well, even without my input

CHALLENGE: today, make a commitment to explore your passion and dig into what you love. Shift your focus from worry and control to self-exploration and celebration. 

I Know YOU Can Do It!