We all have our own interests, dreams, and skills that ignite a spark within us. Things that light our souls on fire! These passions have the power to drive us, inspire us, and bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment to our lives.
Yet, many of us find ourselves caught in the routine of daily life, far away from our passions and not following our desired path in life. Are you currently working a job you don’t love, or living a life that doesn’t fill your bucket all the way to the top? Well, you are not alone, continue reading and I will show you how you can follow your passions to create the life you WANT to live!
In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of following your passions, how it can transform your life, and practical steps to unleash your inner fire.
Throughout my entire childhood, I knew I wanted to pursue a career centered around helping others. Though I wasn’t certain which specific path would lead me there, various options flew through my mind. The possibilities of becoming a teacher, a daycare provider, a nurse, or a therapist, all had me thinking those would each be fun and interesting in their own way. I often found myself playing “House, Library, and School”.
After a year of studying psychology in college, I made the decision to pursue a different path and become a nurse. The idea of spending six or more years in college to become a therapist didn’t make me feel super excited…so, nursing emerged as a more practical choice. I obtained my license to become a Registered Nurse and this allowed me to fulfil my goal of helping others.
Yet, despite entering the nursing profession, I found that something was missing. I never felt totally completely fulfilled in my nursing jobs. While working in various nursing departments-such as cardiology, labor and delivery, and hospice -I realized that I felt happiest while teaching and providing support, education, and guidance and also when I formed a deep connection with my patients and their loved ones. . I realized that I was made to teach and support others.
I have loved photography and taking photos for as long as I can remember. I have turned my love of this hobby into a side business that continues to fill my bucket after 10 years of doing it. It brings me joy to capture a fleeting moment in time and preserve it forever through the lens of my camera and provide that to my clients.
A turning point arrived in my life when I successfully paid off a mountain of debt, over $100,000 of consumer debt. It was during this transformative period that I had a moment of realization- I yearned to help others achieve financial independence and responsibility and create a plan to live a fulfilling life. Driven by this newfound purpose, I pursued a course on financial coaching, propelling me forward on an exciting new journey.
Now fully equipped with the knowledge and skills as a Money and Life Coach, almost along the same original path of pursuing a career as a Therapist, I am on a mission to provide others with essential financial education.
Guiding individuals toward their life and financial goals has become my number one passion! Through coaching, I empower others to take control of their finances, make informed decisions, and create a life of financial abundance- all while fully embracing and enjoying every moment along the way.
To say I have followed different forks in the road of life, personally and professionally would be correct. I do not like to be stagnant, it leads to boredom (and I love learning and growing. I want YOU to also pursue your passions.
To follow a different path to new passions, it is very important to take a journey of exploring what excites you, taking risks, and venturing beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. Embracing new experiences becomes the catalyst for discovering what truly excites and energizes us. By paying close attention to those moments that light us up, we unveil the path that leads to our deepest passions.
Investing in yourself is key to personal growth. It is through this investment that you acquire the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Growth comes when we challenge ourselves and push beyond familiar boundaries, opening doors to new opportunities and finding hidden passions. By taking the leap and investing in your own potential, you allow yourself to blossom and discover passions you may never thought possible.
Understanding what your passions are, and how they align with your values, strengths, and goals is essential for discovering a new path in life. Following your passions will have a positive impact on both your personal and professional life.
Following your dreams and passions can bring on a lot of different feelings. Feelings of doubt, fear, and resistance. But also, feelings of excitement. I’ve felt all of these, heck, I still do. Self-limiting beliefs creep in and try to derail our goals. I empower you to challenge those limiting beliefs and embrace a growth mindset to pursue your passions. You can take small steps towards your passions, gradually building your confidence and momentum.
Prioritizing your passions requires commitment, as it requires carving out time from your already busy schedule to pursue your dreams. Currently, I’m juggling three jobs, although not all full-time, thank goodness. But, nurturing my passion for providing financial literacy and assisting individuals in achieving financial stability and freedom is important to me- it fuels my soul! So I am willing to keep juggling 3 jobs for a bit longer until my coaching business can support my family financially.
I am a huge advocate for setting goals and creating a plan to meet those goals. Setting a SMART goal when it comes to your passions and what you plan to do with your passions is ideal. You will actively pursue your passions and work towards your goal. Does your goal include monetizing your passions, bringing in a specific amount of money on the side, or does it include eventually leaving your stable “9-5”? Your goals will help you achieve your dreams.
Remember, there needs to be a balance of some sort between pursuing your passions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and personal life. I have suffered from burnout leading to severe anxiety and panic attacks and I do not wish for anyone to endure that. Make sure you are also prioritizing self-care and establishing boundaries to ensure a healthy balance. Remembering too, that a balance is not always going to be 50-50.
In some seasons of life, you are going to have to work more and have less freedom with your personal life. In other seasons of life, family time needs and gets to come first and work is second. This can be difficult to figure out and that is where a coach, trusted friend, or accountability partner comes in handy to help you stay on track and also keep you in check with your time management and what matters most during that specific season. I would love to help guide you through some of these seasons of life, head on over to Jesswaynecoaching.com for more information on my coaching services.
Failure is a part of life, a big part. I fail all the time, and I am starting to learn to embrace failure and not “Fear the fail.” Failure makes us grow and better ourselves and our lives. “You’re always afraid,” says Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian professor of psychology, “except when you learn not to be.” We don’t expect a baby who is learning to walk to get up from a crawling position into a standing position and take off walking without stumbling, becoming off balance, and falling. So, why do we think we shouldn’t fall and fail? Failure pushes us to become better, so embrace the journey, even when the road isn’t always smooth. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Failure is a stepping stone towards success and adjust your course and journey accordingly. And remember, just because you fail at something does not mean that you are a failure.
I want you to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passion. These people will lift you up, support you, and empower you to reach your full potential. Join communities and network with others related to your passions. Collaboration over competition is my motto, there are enough clients, customers, people, etc. to go around for us all. Finding people who are doing what you want to do will be a good sounding board when things get tough. You can learn from these individuals as well and find inspiration and support along this journey.
Having a growth mindset will help you in following your passions and dreams, this will help you when you have setbacks or face obstacles because those things are going to happen at some point in your journey. Staying persistent, resilient, and flexible will help make this journey smoother. I want you to stay committed to your passions, even in the face of challenges.
Embrace the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life aligned with your passions. Nothing lights me up more than helping someone with their finances and following their true passions and dreams. I get such joy out of seeing other people light up. Celebrate the small wins and milestones along the way. You might not always see “Big” wins right away, as this is a journey and the journey can be a little slower than we want or anticipated at times. Remember, a “no” doesn’t mean no forever, it means “not yet”. Find gratitude in the journey and process and appreciate the transformation that is taking place in you and in others. Remind yourself that growth comes from the process and you are getting to pursue what you love and enjoy!
Following your passions is not just a luxury; it is a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life. By reconnecting with your passions, you open a world of possibilities, purpose, and personal growth. Embrace the journey, overcome obstacles, and allow your passions to guide you toward a life filled with joy, meaning, and success. It’s time to unleash your inner fire and let your passions ignite your path.
