How do you feel about your life? Do you wake each morning looking forward to the day ahead or do you wish you could bury your head under the covers and stay there?

If life feels dull, uninspiring and leaves you with little energy and focus, then why not look for a cause, hobby or career that feels right and sparks joy within you? You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make to you, your relationships, and probably even, your finances. Your outlook will depend on many things but one of the most important factors that can change your day-to-day life is passion.

What is Passion?

Passion is an extreme and positive emotion. A strong and compelling desire for someone or something that inspires you and creates happiness. While it can be an emotion felt towards another person, here we are looking at passion for your day-to-day life.

Why Do You Need Passion?

Without passion in your life, you will probably find that your days often feel dull and tiresome. There may be a sense of something missing or lacking. You might also feel tired and depressed. This can be the result of the negative energy surrounding you due to the lack of passion and the positive energy it brings.

Finding your passion for life can create enormous change. You will find that you look forward to the day ahead and want to get out of bed in the morning. You will have more energy and focus. Additionally, you’ll feel more creative and inspired to follow your dreams and create goals.

Your passion for life will also help you create better relationships with others including family, friends and colleagues. They will respond to your positive energy and enthusiasm.

If you want to live your best life, then you need to find your passion and follow it. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Truth is, it isn’t that hard. That’s why it’s surprising that so many people don’t do it and seem content to exist rather than living a life of happiness and success.

To change your life for the better and create a future to which you can look forward, then follow the five steps below.

Step 1: Dream Big

Most people have big dreams. What have you done with yours? Do you think about them, act on them or hide them away?

If you want to find your purpose and passion, then it’s time to dream big. List all of those big dreams you’ve had throughout your life. No matter how wild or funny, write them all down.

Which of those dreams resonates most with you? Which makes your heart sing and inspires you the most? Is it realistic and achievable? If you’ve set your sights on being the first full-time resident of Mars, then you’ll probably need to take another look at your list and find something that is more realistic and achievable but almost as exciting to you!

Your big dream doesn’t have to be outrageous or huge. It just needs to be big enough to push you out of your comfort zone and willing to commit to making changes in your life so that you can achieve it. You need to want it. It needs to spark desire and passion in you.

Step 2: Set Goals

Once you’ve decided what your dream is, then you need to set goals. Your end goal is what you want to achieve. There will be smaller goals you will need to achieve along the way in order to achieve the big one. You need to note these down as well.

Step 3: Plan Your Way

Now that you know what you want and need to achieve, it’s time to plan what you will do to get there. Think about what action you need to take, resources you will need and anything or anyone that can provide help and support.

Step 4: Take Action

Once you know what you want, how you can achieve it and the steps to take, it’s time to take action. Remember, you are looking for a passionate life that fills you with excitement, joy and success.

Step 5: Live Your Best Life

Once you’ve started taking action on your goals and plans, you will find that your life starts to improve. Instead of dreading each day, you’ll look forward to it with excitement and anticipation. Your best life is the one that gives you happiness, success and achievement through living your purpose and passion.

If you want to find and live your passion, then follow the five steps above. You can do it on your own or you can give yourself a helpful boost by using a coach or mentor. Finding passion for something can create an enormous shift in your life and emotions. It can help you live a life where every day is full of purpose, energy, and happiness.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of CHOICES Magazine