How Do You Know What You're Passionate About?

I get asked this a lot.  We're all told to live and do in life what we're passionate about, but what does that really mean?  So many of us have become so numb to our true calling and feelings because we're so busy making a living, that this answer becomes harder and harder to find, the older we get.  

It took me a while, but I finally got to that answer.  Before I spill those beans, I want to give you a little insight into my life, and give you some of the best advice I ever received.

In my early 30's I had a successful business, and I loved the building aspect of it, but I was burned out.  I also had a marriage that I never should have entered into, that was falling apart.  To say I was a bit lost of who I was, is a complete understatement.

My ex was in the psychology field, and he told me, as we were nearing the end that he was fixed.  He had done what all he could to better himself.  He went on to say if our marriage was going to survive that I needed to see a therapist and fix myself.  Yes, extremely asshole of him, looking back now, but I did it.  (Can you tell how flipping broken I really was at the time?)  However, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I had tried therapists in the past, but they kept telling me I was right.  Now, I more than anyone in the world, love being told I'm right, but I knew I had some won't get into how many, issues.

This time was different, and this one changed my life.

He told me to go back to childhood, a moment where I could do anything in the world that I wanted, and never had to worry about making a living, or proving anything to anyone, or impressing anyone.  I had to go back and think about those moments and remember what it was I enjoyed doing.  He also told me to go back home and watch the movie The Kid, and to really take in the meaning.   

I did just that and cried like a baby when that movie was over.  I called my sister and screamed 'I HATE BASKETBALL,' and never felt more relief in the world.  (Long story short, but in a way to impress my dad, I played basketball into college, and never really enjoyed a minute of it).  I loved writing.  I loved telling stories, and I loved thinking of ways I could sell things to make money.  I loved it.  I thought about it all the time.  I journaled (which still to this day are the best things ever to read as I spill my 6th grade crush secrets). However, as I got older, I piled on this immense pressure on my own shoulders to show the world what I could do, even if it had nothing to do with my passion.  

I found my roots, and started to reconnect with those.  And just a few short months later when my marriage ended, I stood just a bit prouder understanding what made me tick.  I understood how far removed I had become from what really mattered to me because I felt that I had to impress others.  

Am I living 100% my passions right now?  Not quite there, but I have to say I'm getting pretty close.  And what's funny, it all stemmed from one question.  

What made you tick as a child?

So let's hear it.  Watch that movie, think long and hard, and start re-connecting with that person who didn't care about a living and who didn't care about impressing.  I promise you, that before you discount anything, a living could could be made.  Don't sell yourself short.  Someone made you love those things for a reason!