10 Inspiring Quotes to Help You Uncover Your Purpose and Passion.

Purpose and passion are words that can trigger anxiety in some and joy in others.

When we talk about purpose, it can feel like this one treasure we must spend our lives searching for, and if we miss it, then we will never be truly content.

Rather than limiting yourself to one, how about having a portfolio of purposes that spans the various roles you play?

For me, passion is the vehicle that lights you up from the inside out; it's the fuel you need to show up as your best self. Ultimately, this becomes your purpose, which is the meaning you give to the pursuit of the work. It's your why.

In preparation for this article, I consulted gurus across various industries, from business to sport, to gain a portfolio of views on this massive topic. Here are ten quotes to inspire a new way of thinking about what purpose and passion mean to you:

Passion is a choice.

The notion that passion is a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed is a common misconception. The truth is that passion isn't always something you find. More often than not, it's something you grow into or build up over time. It's not about finding a hidden switch; it's about developing something that lights you up.

"Your purpose isn't something you discover, but something you ultimately choose yourself. Stop looking for it and make the choice, then allow that choice to transform you." – Benjamin Hardy.

The key idea is that passion is a choice. It is something we decide on, and it doesn't have to be permanent; it can change. I only found my passion and purpose in my third career, and I discovered it by following the breadcrumbs of my curiosity.

With hindsight, I didn't know that I hadn't found my true calling yet. I was so enthralled by marketing and advertising that I put everything into it. At that stage, branding was my passion.

Then, with time, I gravitated to the world of coaching and training, but it took me time to permit myself to take on this new identity, and eventually, it became a new passion.

If you aren't sure if you're 'there yet', consider this insight from Seth Godin:

'Our passion is simply the work we've trusted ourselves to do.'

Whatever you are doing now, show up passionately and bring your whole self to work. If you spend your time hoping that the next moment or job will be better than this one, you will miss the gifts and opportunities around you.

The point is that you can change your mind, but whatever you are doing now, do it with passion and a sense of ownership. Be all in and committed. Create a meaning that will fuel you to be your best self today.

How do you make it your passion and purpose?

"The trap is this: only after we do the difficult work does it become our calling. Only after we trust the process does it become our passion." – Seth Godin.

Have you ever experienced love at first sight? For most of us, the answer is a resounding no. A relationship needs to go through uncomfortable periods of not knowing where it will ultimately go before transitioning into a comfortable space. Even if you knew this was the person for you, it required a process to get there.

It's the same with your passion; it's rarely love at first sight. Only after you go through the discomfort of getting good at it and then mastering it does it become a calling and a vehicle to create purpose.

Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls. - Maya Angelou

This reinforces the message that without patience, you won't find out what that purpose and passion is. We all have an ideal timing plan of how our lives must unfold. We know from experience that this is not always reality.

Things happen according to their own timing plan, even though it is not always convenient. You cannot attain mastery without patience, and you cannot attain mastery without passion. As Maya says, cultivate both in equal amounts.

What if I don't know where to start?

We are so busy looking outside to discover our passion that we forget to stop and go inside. Here are some beautiful insights from Parker J. Palmer's book Let Your Life Speak.

"Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent."

"Vocation does not mean a goal that I pursue. It means a calling that I hear. Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am. I must listen for the truths and values at the heart of my own identity, not the standards by which I must live—but the standards by which I cannot help but live if I am living my own life."

With this perspective, I see a massive inner conflict: I don't know my passion, but I'm too afraid to sit alone with my thoughts and ask myself the big questions.

If you're more of a doer and meditation is too still for you, then start journaling. At least it's a 'doing' activity, and you'll feel productive. Just start writing about your dreams and what you would love to create, and most importantly, write about your future self. Here is a link to an article with journal prompts: How Journaling Can Help You Sleep and Reduce Your Anxiety. — Beyond the Dress

"Connection to your Future Self creates purpose and meaning in the present" – Benjamin Hardy.

As Stephen Covey says, begin with the end in mind.

Journaling is where you create your future self. Knowing where you are going makes all the speedbumps and roadblocks in the present temporary because you ultimately know where you are headed, even if you have no idea how to get there.

If you know you want to do something that involves public speaking and your present self is terrified, start building skills in the present to set yourself up for success. Start reading about this topic or taking courses, begin building up your energy now, and excite yourself. Don't wait for something or someone to light you up first; it starts with you.

Having a bigger future is how you create a more fulfilling present by aligning your present-day actions with your future dreams.

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you." -Oprah Winfrey

To tap into this internal energy source, rather than ask yourself, What is my passion? Replace this by asking yourself, What would excite me?

Start with simple things that excite you, such as cooking, making music, or hiking. Even if they have nothing to do with your work, they're creating deposits for your internal energy bank account.

Could you walk into Exclusive Books and see where you gravitate? Maybe you need to plan a trip or get excited about something again. Even simpler, what can you plan for the next month that you can look forward to?

Anticipation is another source of energy; whatever it is for you, start getting excited again.

Your purpose is more than your work.

In this last category, these gurus reveal that passion is not exclusive to work but a mindset.

The purpose of life is to find your voice and inspire others to find theirs." – Stephen Covey.

How many times have you sat in a meeting, and your inner critic told you to stay quiet in case you sound silly or your point isn't relevant? Finding your voice begins with the courage to be seen and bring your whole self to work and wherever you go.

It doesn't matter what your title is; you can always help others find their voice and share it, whether it's in your family or the work environment.

"Your purpose is to live the life that is right for you, not the life that others expect of you." – Kobe Bryant.

It's astounding how many of my clients in the finance or legal industry tell me they are there because they didn't want to disappoint a parent or this choice was taken away from them—you will do this because that's what successful people do!

Are you being true to yourself? Have you chosen something right for you, or are you living someone else's dream? Do you hold back your creativity for fear of being seen in a certain way?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, how can you reconnect with your authentic self?

Your passion will reveal itself when you show up as your authentic self, not your perfect self.

"Your purpose in life is to make a positive difference in the world, no matter how small." – Richard Branson.

This is where you can take a long inhale and sigh of relief. Purpose and passion is not about the 'what' but the 'why'. If you are adding value even through a smile or asking someone how their day is going because you can see they look down, then can that be enough?

If you can make your purpose of making at least one person smile or feel better in a day, how liberating is that? I'm not trying to sound Pollyanna about it, and I'm not suggesting you don't pursue something great, but you can pursue it without the pressure that you aren't there yet.

When you can make your life about adding value and serving in your unique way, then you can get there in your own time, knowing you are living your purpose while on the way.

Final thoughts.

My intention is that this has planted some new seeds but, more importantly, given a different perspective that frees you of the burden of discovering this one mysterious secret.

The most empowering thought is that your passion is a choice. You decide what excites you and allow that to generate the energy inside to make a difference in the world.

If you're still unsure where to go from here, then follow this advice from Albert Einstein: