Why am I unable to find my passion?

There are two questions that are often asked at some point in everyone’s life: what do you want to be when you grow up? and what do you want to do after you graduate? As cliché as it may sound, the answers to these questions don’t always come easily to people. Some of us have always known exactly what we wanted to be or do; some of us still don’t have an answer; and some of us have no idea where to even start figuring it out.

What are you good at?

Finding your career path is tricky if you don’t know what you like to do or even if you know what you like to do, but don’t know how it can be turned into a career path. Figuring out your passions and personal qualities is where it starts – once you find out what you are good at, then figuring out a way of turning it into a job can begin.

Perhaps you’re great at making beautiful things, but not so much at coming up with ideas or business plans. Maybe you’re brilliant at talking with people and persuading them to do what you want, while struggling to grasp complex concepts and abstract ideas. Are your personality traits more suited to leadership positions or administrative tasks? What is it that makes you good at what you do?

What do people tell you about your strengths and weaknesses

People often like to discuss your strengths and weaknesses with you, but what they think of you might not always be accurate. Be careful when you ask others about your strengths and weaknesses because people will most likely try to make themselves look good by saying something positive about you, even if it isn’t necessarily true. Asking others how they view your strengths and weaknesses can help you find out what other people see in you but not necessarily what is true for yourself.

What have you tried but didn’t like

I always liked playing football with friends and I was always into it, but when I found out that I wouldn’t be able to play in college because of a shoulder injury, it was heartbreaking. For a few weeks after finding out that I wouldn’t be playing anymore, all I could think about was how much time and effort I had wasted on something that now meant nothing to me.

If I’m being honest, I had given up on finding a job that fit me perfectly, because it seemed impossible. I worked part-time jobs in retail and restaurants while taking some classes at community college and even though they were fun jobs, they weren’t right for me.

What would make you happy?

Finding your passion might be harder than you think—and that’s okay! If you take some time to identify what makes you happy and then dig a little deeper into those elements, you can find a career that uses your strengths and energy levels while helping you achieve goals that excite and inspire you. Finding your passion is a process, not an overnight epiphany; in fact, it could take months or even years of self-discovery and experimentation before something clicks.

Where will you see yourself in 5 years from now

For some people, finding their passions is about finding themselves and their purpose in life, much like Nietzsche describes in Thus Spoke Zarathustra: I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful.

Conclusion

Finding your passion and, more importantly, doing what you love can help you find a career that fits into your life—something that’s often elusive for those looking for their dream job. By examining what makes you happy and fulfilled—and exploring ways to utilize your unique skill set in a career that suits you—you might just be on your way to finding work-life harmony.