What's Your Why?

Tips For Infusing Passion Into Your Everyday Life

Hello Substack Readers!

I’m so happy you’re here!

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about what drives me. Do you ever find yourself wondering what truly drives you? What fuels your passions and gives your pursuits a deeper sense of purpose?

I have to admit, most of my life I didn’t consider this. I just did stuff. On its surface, it was superficial. I needed to survive (get the education, get the job, and make the money to pay the bills). Of course, there have always been what I call “external motivations” (children, family, make the world a better place). While these things are all important, understanding who you are, and what truly motivates you deep down is worth discovering. Understanding your why is the real gold to living your best life. Anyone can get out there and do stuff but without truly understanding what drives you, you'll end up just spinning your wheels. Life is rote without passion.

For example, one of my passions is discovering truth. We live in a world with constant messaging and multiple opinions. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants to push their view. The problem is that fifteen-second sound bites can't portray the entirety of the human experience. As a writer and lawyer who's also worked in social services, I’ve learned there is always more to the story. I like uncovering those stories and using what I learn to help others. Whether that’s writing about the things that obsess me in my latest novel or getting to the core issue in any complex negotiation, I understand that my passion for helping others discover their truth is what drives me to live mine.

The Key Takeaway: Understanding your truth, and your passion will not only help get you up in the morning but it will give real value to what you do.

Not sure where to start? Here are some tips that have helped me throughout the years.

1.     Reflect:  Reflection is key. Take time to look back on something you accomplished or something that didn’t go so well. What made you succeed? What could you have done better? Were there external factors that played a part in your performance? The answers to these questions are clues to your challenges and how to overcome them.

2.     Try New Things: I'm not gonna lie, I’m a sucker for routine. But I've learned over the years that trying new things is the secret to discovering your true potential. When I started law school, I held off my tax law class for an entire year because the idea of studying taxes horrified me. I mean, I was an early childhood teacher before law, I wasn’t into numbers! Turns out, I loved the class and ended up taking its follow-up, which lead me to my corporate law career. You just never know what you'll like until you try it. You might find yourself on a whole new path!

3.     Practice Mindfulness: Shut off the television. Hide your phone. We weren’t meant to live on screens. Unplug yourself and remember how it feels to be present. Not sure what to do when the phone's off? Get outside, watch a sunrise, try a musical instrument, light a candle, read a poem . . . find something that centers you. Don’t let other's demands take away your peace. It can all wait, trust me.

4.     Connect with Others:  This doesn't mean texting or social media, either! Get out there and talk to someone! Schedule lunch with a friend, take time to chat on the phone or talk to the person behind you at the checkout line. I once made a great business contact while waiting for my veggie burger at a local theme park. You just never know who you'll meet or what you'll learn!

5.     Follow Your Curiosity: Don’t be afraid to try new things. It doesn't matter what you try, just try something (that's legal and healthy of course!). It might be as simple as trying a new recipe or taking a new route to work. For me, I follow my curiosity with reading. While I have genres I love, I never shy away from new topics. For example, while I prefer fiction, I might pick up a nonfiction book on physics or gardening. The choices are endless. Learning something new will always help you out of a rut. It gets your brain working and the ideas flowing!

6.     Volunteer: This is my favorite tip. When we help others, we remember what life is really about. There are so many opportunities. Check out local organizations or find causes online. Don't make it complicated. It can be something as simple as sending a care package to an elderly person, donating old clothes or toys, or helping a friend spruce up their resume. Currently, I’m working with an organization to mentor refugee women. It’s an amazing experience making a difference in someone else’s life!

7.     Challenge Yourself: Do something you didn’t think you could. For me, I’ve never been a fan of roller coasters. A few months ago, I challenged myself to ride one. Guess what? I survived! The rush of doing something new inspired me and will inspire you too!

8.     Practice Gratitude: We all know this one, but it's worth repeating. Taking the time to think about the people and things we're most thankful for will always center us on what's important. Better yet? Send out a personal thank you to someone who means something to you. It will make their day!

9.     Take Breaks: Taking breaks will help avoid burnout. When you're burnt out, nothing goes right because quite frankly, you’re too tired! I learned this during my time as a law clerk. Swamped with piles of complex cases and legal research, I'd often come across issues I wasn't sure how to solve. One day, I got myself out of the library and outside for a much-needed walk. Somehow, the autumn breeze, the sunshine on my face - it was all I needed to help me see the case I was working on in a new way. Not only that, but it reminded me why I was pursuing my path. Trust me. Take breaks. Your brain and your spirit depend on it.

10.  Keep a Journal: Journals are a great way to self-discovery. I recommend handwriting your journal because 1) It gets you off the screen; and 2) It forces you to be truly present in the task. Your journal entries don't have to be long or extensive either. Just write what I like to call a "Daily Chirp" that is, one thought, word, or anything, to get you started. Doodles count! After a few weeks, look back on your entries. Do you see common themes, worries, or challenges? Common dreams, passions, pursuits? Highlight them. Then, take time to reflect (see tip #1). You’ll find that journaling is a great way to finding life patterns and discovering what it is you truly want.  

Realizing your passions and what drives you is a unique and personal journey. It’s also not a one-time, fix-all thing, it takes a lifetime! Choosing to stay open to new possibilities and not being afraid to explore new paths will not only lead you to your true potential but will infuse your everyday experiences with passion and meaning.

So, step out there and start finding your why! Get those journals, shut off those screens, reflect, head out on a nature walk, or challenge yourself to something new. You never know what you will discover about yourself when you try!

Got any tips of your own? Remember to take time to post your tips in the comments. Till then, it’s time for me to take a break! Till next time . . .

Xoxo

Sarah

AKA, A Busy Lady

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