One of the keys to success in life is the ability to find your passions. It is almost impossible to achieve financial success without clearly identifying your goals in life, and your goals are determined by your passions. The simplest method I have found for finding your passions is one developed by Janet and Chris Attwood (The PassionTest: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose). The first step is to complete each of the ten statements below:
- When I was a kid, I dreamed of ……
- I can’t pass up a book or a movie about ……
- If I played hooky from work for a week, I’d spend the time ……
- Most people don’t know this about me, but I really enjoy ……
- I am the go-to person when my friends need help with ……
- If I could star in my own how-to TV show, it would be about ……
- If I were to make a homemade gift, it would involve ……
- I’ve tried it only once or twice but I really enjoy ……
- The closest I come to a runner’s high is when I’m ……
- If I won first prize in a talent show, it would be for ……
Once you have completed these statements, start with the first two activities on the list and decide which is more appealing. Now compare your choice with the next activity on the list and decide which is more appealing. Work your way down the list in this way to the bottom. Write down your final choice on a new list and cross it out on your original list. Repeat this process four more times until you have your top five choices on your separate list. These are your top five passions!
