13 - Discover Your Career Passion: A Step-by-Step Guide

In today's fast-paced world, finding a career that aligns with your passion can seem like a daunting task. However, it's one of the most rewarding endeavours you can undertake. When you pursue what you love, work doesn't feel like a chore, and you are more likely to achieve long-term success and fulfilment.

Below are the steps you can take to help identify and pursue passion in your career.

Step 1: Self-Reflection - Discover Your True Interests

The first step in identifying your passion is to engage in deep self-reflection. Ask yourself:

• What activities make you lose track of time?
• Which tasks do you find yourself excited to come back to?
• What subjects do you enjoy learning about even when it's not required?

Take some time to write down your thoughts and feelings about these questions. This exercise can provide valuable insights into your genuine interests.

Step 2: Identify Your Strengths

Your passion often lies at the intersection of what you love and what you're good at. Evaluate your skills and strengths:

• What are you naturally good at?
• Which tasks do colleagues or friends often come to you for help with?
• What achievements are you most proud of?

Knowing your strengths can help you find a career path where you can excel and feel satisfied.

Step 3: Explore Different Fields and Industries

If you're unsure about what specific career paths align with your passion, take the opportunity to explore. Research different fields and industries that interest you. Consider the following:

• Attend industry conferences and networking events.
• Take online courses or workshops in areas you are curious about.
• Volunteer or take on freelance projects to gain hands-on experience.

Exploration allows you to gain a realistic perspective on various professions and helps narrow down your options.

Step 4: Seek Mentorship and Advice

Mentorship can be incredibly valuable in your quest to find and pursue your passion. Reach out to professionals who are already working in areas you're interested in. Ask them about their journey, challenges, and what they love about their job. Mentors can offer guidance, support, and potentially open doors to opportunities you might not have considered.

Step 5: Set Clear Goals and Take Action

Once you have identified your passion and a potential career path, it's time to set clear goals and take actionable steps. Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable tasks. For example:

• Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your new direction.
• Acquire any necessary certifications or further education to bolster your qualifications.
• Apply for jobs, internships, or volunteer positions that align with your passion.

Regularly review your progress and adjust your goals as needed.

Step 6: Stay Persistent and Adaptable

Pursuing your passion might not always be straightforward. There could be setbacks, challenges, and moments of doubt. Stay persistent and adaptable:

• Don't be afraid to pivot or change directions if something doesn't feel right.
• Celebrate small wins and learn from your failures.
• Keep an open mind and remain flexible as you progress in your career journey.

You can take it one step at a time, remain curious and open minded. There is no need to make radical changes, and you can test out many different experiences to figure out what feels right and what does not. 

When I felt stuck in my career I started thinking about things that I was curious about. When I was journalling, I had identified that I was interested in knowing more about the charitable sector.   

Working through the 6 steps above:

Step 1 Self reflection - I know that I love to help people and the charitable sector has always been one that has interested me but I have never had any exposure or experience within it. I also know I love business, and the varied aspects of being a senior leader in a SME (small to medium sized enterprise). 

Step 2 My strength - I am experienced in running an organisation, being a member of a board, strategy, finance etc. 

Step 3 Explore different fields and industries - I researched types of charities and at a high level how they work (for example fundraising or a product to sell). It was really important that I found one that specialised in an area I care deeply about (education and supporting vulnerable young people). 

Step 4 Seek mentorship or advice - I reached out to a Charity CEO that I had a shared network with, we spent time talking through the in’s and out’s of charities, his experience, challenges and what he loved about his role along with how I could gain more experience in becoming a trustee.

Step 5 Take action - Without delay I found a platform that specialised in charity trustee vacancies and created a profile for myself. I was specific with what types of charity I wanted to work for, highlighted my skills and experience, and shared what I wanted to gain from it also. 

Step 6 Stay persistent and adaptable - I wasn’t successful the first time! Yet I knew what I wanted and persevered. It was really important to me that I found the right charity to work with, as it is a long term commitment. 

Time wise, I spend about 1-2 days per quarter on work for the charity, and I have learned a great deal about the sector! The benefit has far outweighed the time commitment, and I have met some wonderful people who are passionate about what they do. 

You can give yourself these opportunities to learn too. 

Identifying and pursuing your passion in your career is a journey that requires self-reflection, exploration, and perseverance. By understanding your interests, leveraging your strengths, and setting clear goals, you can give yourself clarity about the best ways for YOU to move forward in your career and life. 

You can have a career that not only pays the bills but also brings you joy and fulfillment. Remember, it's never too late to start, and the effort you invest in finding your passion will be well worth it.

Who can you reach out to and ask for advice? What experiences can you gain through volunteering or taking up some further education?

If you have any questions or need a little support then reach out at [email protected] or book a free discovery call below. 

Always with love, 

Elsa