Cultivating Passion: A Guide to Finding and Creating What You Love
Cultivating passion isn’t just about discovering what you love, it’s about creating it.
Story highlights
- Ways to have passion in general
- Ways to have passion for a skill
- Ways to have passion for others
Many people believe passion is something you stumble upon, but in reality, it develops through intentional effort, curiosity, and persistence. Whether it’s engaging deeply in everyday tasks, honing a skill, or finding fulfillment in helping others, passion grows when you invest time and energy into it. By embracing mindfulness, tracking progress, celebrating small wins, and focusing on what excites you, you can turn even ordinary activities into something meaningful and enjoyable.
Ways to Have Passion in General
1. Mindfulness
Imagine eating your favorite bar of chocolate. First, imagine just biting into it like normal—taking a big chunk here, a small one there. Now, imagine eating it slowly, experiencing every taste and texture. Feel the chocolate melt on your tongue, notice its color and texture, and take in its aroma before each bite.
Which experience is better? The second one, of course. When you engage fully in the present moment, you enjoy things more—or at least, you don’t dislike them as much.
Try this approach with daily tasks. Fully experience them with all your senses, make your actions deliberate, and stay aware of every step. Don’t multitask—focus on one thing at a time. Studies show that multitasking slows productivity because switching between tasks forces your brain to constantly refocus.
Ways to Have Passion for a Skill
1. Create a Scoreboard
Sports games have scoreboards—not just to track wins and losses but to keep players engaged. The same principle applies to developing a skill.
Here’s how to create your own scoreboard:
a. Choose a Lead Measure
This should be something you can control. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthy,” say, “I will go to the gym for 30 minutes every day.” Instead of, “I want to improve at drawing,” say, “I’ll practice for 20 minutes on weekdays and an hour on weekends.” Be specific and measurable.
b. Choose a Lag Measure
Unlike lead measures, lag measures track results but aren’t directly in your control. For example, your weight is a lag measure of healthy habits, and the number of errors in your drawings is a lag measure of your practice efforts. Finding a good lag measure can be tricky, but it provides valuable motivation.
c. Visualize It
Put your progress on a graph so you can see it easily. Use clear, simple numbers to track your actual performance versus expectations. Set realistic goals—too high, and you’ll feel discouraged; too low, and you won’t push yourself to your full potential.
This idea comes from the book The 4 Disciplines of Execution. It’s a great resource for improving any skill.
2. Mastery and Autonomy
Developing passion often requires a sense of mastery and control over what you do. The more skilled and independent you become, the more likely you are to feel passionate about something. This applies to careers and personal hobbies alike.
3. Celebrate Your Progress
When you improve, no matter how small the progress, acknowledge it. Encouraging yourself reinforces passion. If you run a mile, celebrate it. If you draw a small detail well, give yourself credit. Recognizing these wins builds motivation and makes the journey enjoyable.
4. Focus on What You Enjoy
Not every part of learning a skill is fun. Drawing can feel frustrating at first, and running can be exhausting. But instead of dwelling on what’s hard, notice the parts you love—the peacefulness of drawing, the refreshing air while running, or the way small improvements feel rewarding. Learning to appreciate small victories makes long-term progress more enjoyable.
Read Also: 10 Things to Stop Doing for Your Mental Peace
Ways to Have Passion for Helping Others
1. Loving-Kindness Meditation
Compassion can be cultivated. If you struggle to feel passionate about helping others, try loving-kindness meditation. This practice involves focusing on feelings of goodwill toward yourself and others. Over time, it strengthens empathy and purpose, which are key ingredients in finding fulfillment through service.
Passion isn’t always something you find—it’s something you create. By being present, tracking progress, celebrating small wins, and focusing on what truly matters, you can develop passion in any area of life. Whether it’s mastering a skill, finding joy in daily tasks, or helping others, the key is to engage fully and embrace the process.
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