5 Keys to Living a Passionate Life

You feel like something is missing in your life, but the next step alludes you.

You see people living a passionate life, but you don’t know where to start.

This was the exact situation I found myself in not too long ago.

In 2009, I was a professional online poker player. I was making money, but I didn’t enjoy it anymore.

It was time for the next chapter in my life.

I knew I could contribute to the world, but I doubted myself.

Looking back, there were five things I would’ve said to my past self to make things easier.

1. Truth

Be honest with yourself.

Examine your expectations. You’re diving into something new.

You will stumble. You will feel overwhelmed, uncertain and scared. You won’t know what to do next. You’ll feel like you’re jumping out of an airplane without a parachute.

Those thoughts and feelings are to be expected. But remember, you are not your feelings or thoughts.

You feel your thinking, sure, but you don’t have to take it so seriously. New, fresh thinking is always around the corner.

You don’t have to change your thoughts. You don’t have to fix your emotions. Let it all be.

This is what it’s like to be human. Enjoy the ride.

2. Passion

Find your passion.

Forget about finding the perfect passion. It’ll never happen.

Like a kid in a candy store, look at finding your passion as an adventure. There are many flavors available. The only way to discover what you like is to start licking things.

If you’re fresh out of college, this is even more important, because you have no idea of what you should expect from life.

You can’t make predictions, because you have no basis for those predictions.

In reality, none of us can predict the future. All you can do is follow your excitement.

It’s when you move forward that your path is revealed to you.

You don’t have to try so hard. Do what you can with what you have. That’s enough, because it’s the only thing you can do.

Making mistakes is a part of this path. In fact, it’s what makes this path, and life, full of flavor.

3. Resistance

Learn to deal with resistance.

When I create a course or write a book, I want it to be perfect.

Luckily, I’m also aware of the fact that I can only do my best. I aim for good enough.

By doing this, I let myself relax, and enjoy what I do. I don’t force myself to do what I can’t do.

Letting go gives me access to a tremendous amount of energy. Instead of wasting energy on worrying and doubting, I focus on how I can help.

Don’t get me wrong, I still worry. I’m still human, after all. The difference is that I take my worrisome thoughts less seriously.

Get comfortable with resistance. Allow it to dance in your body. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. The rest is out of your hands.

Resistance is simply thinking we take seriously. What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough?

So what?

Those are hypothetical scenarios your mind presents. I let them be. I move forward anyway. I discover that my thoughts are horrible at predicting the future.

4. Enjoyment

Why are you doing any of this?

Living your passion can become another hamster-wheel of achievement, but it doesn’t have to end up that way.

You have the ability to enjoy each moment. I’m not talking about eliminating sadness, fear, anxiety, grief, or even depression.

Even those “low” states can be enjoyed, if they are seen for what they are: Indicators of your thinking at that moment.

When I feel anxious, I know not to take my thoughts so seriously. I allow myself to take a break. Not always, but often enough.

I’m okay with making mistakes, with getting stuck in anxiety, with being human.

I can enjoy the ordinary existence of being human. Enjoyment is about being present in this very moment.

It is about living with lightness, and seeing that enjoyment is available right here, right now.

It is not in the future. It is here.

5. Money

If you’re reading this, chances are you want to get paid to do what you love.

In order to do that, you have to find the intersection between what you love to do, what you are good at (or want to get good at) and what people are willing to pay for.

It’s not easy.

It can feel overwhelming.

But the first step is to start.

You’ve just entered the candy store. The next step is to dive in and explore. Break things. Taste things.

Many marketers try to sell you a quick fix, but you and I both know those don’t work.

You start with what you have, where you are, and you do your best. That’s it.

As you move forward, you’ll discover what works for you, because you’re equipped with your own inner GPS. You have wisdom within you waiting to nudge you forward.

And if you want to dive deeper into all of these keys, I invite you to check out my premium course, Live Your Passion.

Bottom Line

Start before you feel ready.

The people living a passionate life started even though they were scared.

They didn’t know what the future held, but they did it anyway. Stop planning and start doing.

Think about the kid in the candy store. He doesn’t think about what the flavors might taste like, he just dives in.

You could say that adult life is different, but is it?

Are you saying that you can’t take a tiny step in some direction today?

You are the only one holding you back.

Let your thinking come and go. Let life dance through you.

See what happens as you grip existence more lightly.

All the best from Finland,
Henri

P.S. Do you have trouble finding your passion? Then I recommend you check out my popular book Find Your Passion: 25 Questions You Must Ask Yourself.

It’ll help you gain clarity, and take the next step.