Everyone has the opportunity to find their joy, carve out their niche, and identify a personalized and unique way to leave their mark on the world. But, sadly, most people are too “busy being busy” to truly discover their passion and purpose, and to use that as a concrete guide to a happier, more fulfilling, and more successful life.

Starting at an early age, we’re told that we should “follow our dreams” – but what, exactly, does this phrase mean? How do you find your passion and purpose in life? How can you uncover where you fit in the world, and what your goals should be?

It starts by putting aside a little time to really concentrate on connecting passion and purpose. While some folks might know from the get-go what they want to be when they grow up, many of us find it’s a challenge to discover those paths in life which give us joy, and where we can excel.

So if you want to lead your best life, and focus your efforts on what brings you inspiration (and inspires others), then consider the following essential questions. I’ve chosen them specifically to help you have a life with purpose and live that life with passion.

What Activities Do You Most Enjoy?

If you didn’t have to work, or do chores, or focus on those everyday tasks that you absolutely have to accomplish, what would you be doing right now? Would you be

• relaxing with a craft or a hobby,
• travelling to local or far-away destinations, or
• working on a personal project (like writing a book) that you’ve always wanted to achieve?

And, most important, how do you like to fill your free time? What activities do you always look forward to, and try to sneak into your busy schedule, despite your workload? Activities you’re passionate about.

Take some time to identify those fun things in life that you love to do, as this will give you a good idea of where you’ll find your passions.

What Would You Do if You Could Not Fail?

What big goals would you pursue if you knew there were no barriers to success? Perhaps you’d

• publish a book,
• write a screenplay, or
• start your own business.

On the other hand, maybe you’d

• start an exciting new career in a field you feel passionate about, or
• participate in an exciting competition like running a marathon or entering a baking contest.

Consider how lofty your ambitions could go if you were full of passion and purpose and knew you’d succeed. Often, we’re hindered by our fear of failure. So take that out of the equation when you consider how and where you would love to excel. The idea is to connect passion with purpose and think big.

What Ideas Are You Most Inspired By?

It often helps to look to others when identifying our own passions and purpose, so start to think about the figures and ideas in your life that left an impression.

• If you had one or two mottos that summed up your belief system, what would they be?
• Who are the heroes and idols you look up to – and why do you consider them inspirational?

Finding your passion and purpose involves being true to your own beliefs and convictions, so it’s important to determine what ideas are important to you before deciding on your way forward.

When Do You Feel the Most Empowered?

Think about the times in the past when you felt at your absolute confident and successful best. These events can be long ago, like winning a school spelling bee, or they can be more recent, such as accomplishing a 5K, doing an exceptional job on a work project, or finishing a craft or artwork that made you proud.

Compile a list of all these little moments of glory, and see if you can find a common thread.

Did you succeed because you were able to use a particular skill-set where you shine? Perhaps

• being creative,
• being a leader or moderator, or
• using your expertise on a specific topic?

Finding your purpose and passion is easier when you focus on areas where you truly excel and the unique gifts you’ve been given. It’s therefore important to identify the areas in life where you feel most empowered, and most confident.

As Zig Ziglar has stated: “Every person has unique gifts, and those gifts give him or her the power and the opportunity to accomplish great things, if he or she learns how to use those gifts and channel them in the right direction.”

What’s On Your Bucket List?

Everyone has a “bucket list” of things we want to do or accomplish before our stay on earth ends. There’s no time like the present to start ticking off those items!

The key here is that your personal bucket list is an exceptional guide to where your passions really lie! They wouldn’t be on your list otherwise.

So be sure to visit and revisit your list as your purpose and passion in life starts to slowly form and come into view more clearly.

Finally, What Legacy Do You Want to Leave?

After you’re gone, how do you want to be remembered by future generations? If your name is Googled 40, 50, or even 100 years from now, what do you want your ideal “headline” to be? Do you want to be remembered as

• a beloved public figure and leader,
• a devoted advocate for a cause or community service,
• an author or a creative mind, or
• maybe even a combination of all of the above?

Finding your purpose and passion in life incorporates identifying your legacy. It’s essential to think about the impression you want to leave behind. It will guide you as you think these things through.

The Bottom Line…

Remember that it’s OK if your true passion and purpose don’t come into immediate focus (even after asking these questions). Your concept may even change over time, and that’s fine. But once you have a general idea of how you want your life to unfold, it’s time to take action!

Finding your true passion and purpose isn’t always easy. Check out my proven formula for moving towards greater success, greater passion, and purpose in your life, called Prince-iples for success.

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