[Un] Following Your Passion: How To Define Whether This Side Gig Is Your True Purpose
In our era of hustle, abundant opportunities and constant search for the “next big thing”, I have seen people wondering on questions like “How do I find my passion?”, “What should I do with my life?”, “I cannot focus on one thing only, there is so much I would like to do”, “I am enthusiastic about so many things, I cannot focus on one sole direction”… Business coaches would either help you “unfold your potential” or advise you to re-think your situation, however, the inner desire to create, to move, to change is always there.
I’m totally with you, guys. I am very passionate about many things, enthusiastic about any crazy idea crossing my restless mind, and believe me (and a bunch of business coaches and professionals) — it is not good in terms of reaching anything anywhere.
The thing is, you are not alone. There are other people like you and me who burn with everything they see, and most of the time it prevents them from actually reaching their destination (any destination, that is).
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” — Bishop T.D. Jakes
Following each and every side gig or mere interest might result into unwanted situations where you are actually heading to nowhere. Just like this nice guy (oh my, I do feel for him — I am pretty much the same type of person):
While I am by no means a business coach, I can share some tips that have worked for me in terms of finding my balance between “not rushing after any attractive idea” and “not losing another nice opportunity”. These might be helpful when trying to find one’s path (and keeping moving in the same direction for years) and require only as much as sticking to two things only:
- Severe self-control.
Really, you need some. And trust me when I say it has been and still is very difficult for myself personally. But without strict plans, without end goals, your passions will tear you in pieces and literally break your life. Do not let yourself off the leash. Have persistence — it will save you both time and money.
Try to use Trello boards, or any other time managing software that helps you to keep focused on the current tasks and goals. Create a separate board for each of your passions, and track your progress. You might then see if this is taking you anywhere, if at all. And if not?
Well, you should know when to dismount a dead horse.
Visualization really helps. As soon as you realize you are wasting your time and getting nowhere with one of your directions — you will set your priorities right.
- Side projects & Multitasking
Now, this might not seem like the best advice you’ll ever get but do note that it doesn’t work without rule #1.
Choose a trendy career to please the ambitious side of yourself, if you must / are afraid to drop everything and run away with another crazy idea, but along with that, leave time to do what you are passionate about.
Yes, you can do both. In fact, many people do. Working in the evenings, at nights, on the weekends, on their passion/side gig, until it either bores them or becomes a Thing they are willing and ready to devote their full-time life to. In most cases, balancing both are ok, as sometimes they require different set of skills and do not interfere with each other. Or, on the other hand, they are from the same field, so you don’t have to switch your mind from one mode to another.
Not sure if this side gig will work for you?
Try it as a “plan B”. You can either realize that you do not have 1) patience, 2) strength, 3) willingness enough to deal with your new passion — or, if you are lucky, you will finally find your True Calling in it.
If this isn’t your path, after all, it will still count as a useful experience. Who knows what the future brings? Any skills gained on side projects might be handy. But most importantly —your current career will not suffer from it, as will not your life savings/self-esteem/you name it. While being cautious of not losing a direction once chosen (wise decision), you can still explore other areas of interest — one step at a time, until you are either ready for the Change or understand that this does not work for you after all.
Any tips to share?
“We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests”. — Sheryl Sandberg
These are some tips I have personally used for balancing my full-time and part-time hobbies and side projects while developing my career. They might not work for everyone, but hopefully, they will give you an idea. Here we go:
- Try to focus on one career path — think with a cool head.
The one that seems to be the right choice — it will bring you money in set terms, it looks promising in the long run, and you might actually enjoy it, if given a chance. For passionate persons — it would not be a problem to find joy in almost any occupation. The job you hated once might turn into your strongest passion.
- When another passion hits you, don’t give up everything just to follow your new devotion. Not yet, that is.
Try it first. Carefully. As a side project, part-time hobby, on weekends, in your spare time. Do some research. Do you enjoy it? Is it profitable? Would you be able to do this same thing in 5, 10, 15 years (scary to think of it, but still)? Support your family with this occupation? If no, throw it away mercilessly. There are hundreds of other occupations you could excel at with more productivity. Use your talents in a wise way.
Use your mind, think with a cool head. Choosing a career is not like choosing a partner for life, so no heart required. Just passion, which can be found in almost any occupation.
Eating and scratching want but a beginning — once you define your calling, it’s easy to fall in love with what you are doing. Look up to the good examples in your chosen profession, read about your career, mix with it, and it will pay you back.
Good luck!
This story is published in The Startup, Medium’s largest entrepreneurship publication followed by +385,976 people.
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