Last month I wrote that key to determining your life purpose is to ascertain what you are passionate about. T.D. Jakes states, “It is your passion that empowers you to be able to do that thing you were created to do.”  I suggest that you reflect on what comes to you naturally. What would you do for free? What do you do that brings you joy and while doing it you loose track of time?   Here is a SHORT EXERCISE to help you complete this task. …..

Start by filling in the blank 15 times for the following statement: “When my life is ideal, I am _____.”  The word(s) you choose to fill in the blank must be a verb.  A few of my statements looked like this:

• Creating art.
• Helping people with their spiritual growth.
• Speaking to groups.
• On the radio, hosting my jazz radio show.

Once you have created 15 statements, identify your top 5 choices. To do this, you compare statements #1 and #2 to identify which is most important. Take the winner of that comparison and decide whether it’s more or less important than statement #3. Then take the winner of that comparison, and decide whether it is  more or less important than statement #4, and so on until you have identified the passion that is most meaningful to you. Repeat the process with the remaining 14 statements to identify your second choice. Then repeat the process until you’ve pinpointed your top 5 passions.

Now, combine them into a single statement, to come up with your purpose. For example, I have combined a few of my statements to come up with, “My life purpose is to inspire and empower people to live their lives with a spiritual twist via, workshops, art and/or radio.” Also, If some of your passions just do not fit, that’s okay some of your passions are for profit and some are just in your life for enjoyment. Write more than one statement, to have more options and it’s ok if all of your passions do not fit in one statement.

So you have a purpose, now what?  Now let’s look at your statements, are there any existing careers that use these skills (Google it to start).  If yes, do your research read up on the career, read up on and talk to people already in that field, consider taking courses. If you can volunteer in the area or volunteer where you can be around people in your area.  As a very new a graphic designer I volunteered my services to get my work and name known & to develop my portfolio.

Play around with those two pieces to see if you can come up with an idea that creates a product with a niche market and consider a home based business. Interestingly, passion leads many people to starting their own home-based business. Most home-based business entrepreneurs not only have passion about what they do; they also have a deep passion for the customer, doing a great job, delivering a quality product or service, and being enthusiastic. It is this passion and determination that make many home-based business owners very successful. Explore the top three directions you are excited about, and try them on as thoroughly as you can. Try it on – interview people doing what you want to do (and people who failed at it), research it online, go to SCORE for assistance developing your business plan, meet with your financial consultant to review your financial plans, read everything you can get your hands on about this new business direction, attend to networking meetings with people in the field, create your marketing plan. For example, one of the things I did was …. I began writing this column as a way to inspire and empower others.

And finally,  Fear is the biggest obstacle to pursuing your dreams. Many people insist it is a lack of money or time or resources, but it is often a fear of failure, rejection, or even a fear of success, that holds a person back. Take baby steps if you have to, but be willing to step out on faith to use the natural gifts and talents that you are passionate about. If you do what you love, patiently and persistently, the rewards WILL come. Let Go – of the thinking, patterns and behaviors that keep you stuck

Do not put your dreams on hold while you are helping with other people’s dreams. Whether your passions are financial, physical, or emotional, the time to do this is now.

Enjoy!

NOTE: This article is a repost from my Capital City Hues article, of May 2014.