SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are aligning our passion with impact to create a purposeful fusion. This idea may feel as impossible as seeing a unicorn or finding the fountain of youth. But remember, we are talking about your passion, not someone else’s or some predetermined and assigned passion. But I get it. Finding your purpose can be a real challenge. Society often pushes us toward more traditional paths, making it tough to explore what really lights us up inside. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s hard to find a moment to really dig deep and figure out what we’re truly passionate about. And let’s not forget about the fear factor – the worry of failing or being judged can stop us from taking those leaps of faith into the unknown. Plus, our interests and who we are can change so much over time, adding to the complexity. Finally, not having clear role models or guidance in certain areas can leave us feeling a bit lost.
The natural starting point here is to find out what you’re passionate about and for many of us, that could be the biggest challenge. If you’ve spent your life catering to others’ wants, needs, and desires then finding time to do your own deep dive may have been impossible. So for any good journey, let’s start at the beginning.
What brings you joy? What lights your soul on fire? What gives you that feeling of fulfillment? What speaks to your heart? I’m not looking for an immediate answer here but these are all important questions to ponder, sit with, and explore.
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that unites the joy of life with a sense of purpose. The term is a combination of the Japanese words ‘iki’ (to live) and ‘gai’ (reason), which together signify “a reason to live.”
To guide us on this journey, we are going to explore the intersection of the four essential elements:
- Your passion (what you love)
- Your vocation (what you’re good at)
- Your mission (what the world needs)
- Your profession (what you can be paid for)
Over at betterup.com Maggie Wooll says The secret to finding your passion isn’t looking, it’s doing
Dr. Alex Lickerman leads us with How To Find Your Mission found at Psychologytoday.com
Aligning your passion with impact to create a purposeful fusion involves several key steps:
- Identify Your Passion: Reflect on what activities, topics, or causes ignite a sense of joy and fulfillment in you. What could you spend hours doing without feeling bored or drained?
- Assess the World’s Needs: Consider the pressing issues, challenges, or gaps in society that resonate with you. What problems do you feel strongly about addressing or solving?
- Find the Intersection: Look for areas where your passion and the world’s needs intersect. This could involve brainstorming ideas, researching existing initiatives, or seeking inspiration from others who have successfully aligned their passions with impactful work.
- Set Clear Goals: Define specific, measurable goals that reflect the impact you want to make. This could include targets related to community engagement, environmental sustainability, social justice, or other areas aligned with your passion and the world’s needs.
- Take Action: Start taking steps to turn your passion into meaningful action. This might involve volunteering, starting a project or initiative, or exploring career opportunities that align with your purpose.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your approach as you learn and grow. Your understanding of your passion and the world’s needs may evolve over time, requiring you to adapt your plans accordingly.
- Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who support your vision and can offer guidance, resources, and encouragement along the way. Collaborating with like-minded individuals or joining communities focused on purpose-driven work can also be beneficial.
- Reflect and Refine: Regularly reflect on your progress and reassess how well you’re aligning your passion with impact. Be willing to refine your approach based on what you learn and experience.
CHALLENGE: Start taking steps to turn your passion into meaningful action. Align your passion with impact to create a purposeful fusion that not only brings fulfillment to your life but also contributes positively to the world around you.
I Know YOU Can Do It!