Finding onces passion?

[Praetorian]

How did you find something that you were passionate about, something that you could do for the rest of your life? Right now, I really don't know where I'm heading. I don't have anything at all that I find interesting, be it studies or personal life. Everything is dim and nothing excites me anymore. I've changed my major 3 times already and it's starting to get depressing.


bleeeih

/end rant

[getfit]

i'm already doing what i'm passionate about! :)

[Garrix]

Thats a really really good question, and im afraid i really cant give you a good answer, but i'll try.

One thing im passionate about is music and music composition- yeah, im a dork, i know and i dont care. I love it and its a way to do something productive, always interesting, keeps the mind occupied and sometimes you end up with something beautiful. But I figure, look at your instincts. Do you love to create and build things? (that was always my passion since i was a kid) do you love to take things apart, disecting things? Since i love building structures and stuff, all that artsy crap like scupture and drawing also appeals to me, but on a more abstract level, i love contructing music out of orginized tones. i guess im a contructivist.... But my best friend is pretty much the opposite of me, he always loved to take things apart, toasters, radios, computers. Anyway, he ended up learning a lot and now his love is technological crap, computer etc. He builds them and takes them apart. He likes to see how elaborate systems function, where as i just like building up stuff. Maybe thats why i've ended up with an interest in weightlifting?

Dont get me wrong, i love a big explosion as much as anyone, but i like to build stuff out of the rubble.

So just examine what really attracts you. Examine your favorite activities for what is at the core of them and figure out what other areas you could apply it to.

[Roark]

don't worry

you'll forget what you're passionate about soon enough as the 9-5 grind robs you of your soul :angel:

[Gr3mlin73]

Dude....i am 32 years old...and i only just have worked out what im gunna do....i just wish i could have worked it out a bit sooner....

[DavyRen]

I was born with a passion of supporting Newcastle United Football Club in England.

Generally born with although i've developed a passion for body building and in that many thanks go to most of you for your help in educating myself.

You should know who you are especially built, chris and dan.

[TwiloMike]

What's "onces"?

Passion is a difficult thing to define in terms of work. I know that I'm both creative and pragmatic... since early childhood I had markers in my hands and turned out drawings like they were going out of style. Good or bad I love to draw, paint, I'm very visual. My parents exposed me to industrial art and architecture. I chose architecture- there's hardly anything more constant than gravity and the social, visual, and spatial aspects appeal to my creative side. I probably could have done more graphic design stuff, or even fashion design (shut up), but architecture seemed the most promising field in terms of stability, etc. It's not my greatest passion but it's something I like doing, which, according to most polls is more than most people can say about what they end up doing.

[dissipate]

i'm like you prae :cry: i have interests but have no idea if i'm passionate about them and whether i could do them forever. an example is IT... i love computers and i got my degree in IT, but after graduating i decided i can't do IT work because i hate desk jobs and having to keep up to date all the time is a PITA to me....

what made you decide to switch majors 3 times? and what are they?

[Sensei]

"Life is 10% how you take it and 90% how you make it."

Passion doesn't last. Find something "rewarding" and work very hard at it.

(Edit)More concrete advice: "What Color is your Parachute?" is a VERY long-running bestseller that you could check out. If you read it and take it seriously, it could really help you decide on jobs or a career.

[sharkall2003]

I was born to be winner, the best, and a salesman. So I plan on being the best damn winning salesman there is. Selling is my passion. I am in a few business clubs at school, i'm good at talking/selling and i'm damn confident that I can get the job done. That's why I will be salesman/businessman.

[ShockBoxer]

I have no passion at all, any longer. Once I was passionate about writing but a bad relationship totally tore away my love of it.

I did IT because I heard it would make you money. That was a mistake... now I'm 9-5 in a crap low paid IT job and can't get another because all my certifications are obsolete. I hate it, now... I can barely stand to keep my own personal computer running smoothly after work.

Drifting for too long will make you desperate. Desperate leads to stupid decisions. Stupid decisions are a bitch to rectify.

I'm 29 and I have no idea what I want to do for the next 30+ years other than be alive.

[Wierz]

There's always two ways to look at things. I see lots of negative here so I'll give my positive.

A year and a half ago, I died on an emergency room table. My heart stopped beating and they were a split second from trying to shock me back to life. For some reason, after not beating for 15 seconds, my heart decided to start again. So now I'm alive. And any time I feel like you do Prae (which I do, it's totally normal to feel like that sometimes) I think of how I might not have even had the chance to do what I'm doing now and things seem a little better - sometimes alot better.

There's nothing wrong with not knowing what you want to do now. People go through that. I know a guy who taught highschool for 20 years. He loved it until the last 3 or 4 years. Now he can't stand it and is looking to either retire or to find other work. What you like will always change. Your job can define your life as an adult, but it doesn't have to. Alot of people look at their job as a means of enabling themselves to do what they really want (travel, see lots of football games, go to concerts, go out w/ friends, camping, etc).

Just my 2 cents.

[Songsangnim]

How did you find something that you were passionate about, something that you could do for the rest of your life? Right now, I really don't know where I'm heading. I don't have anything at all that I find interesting, be it studies or personal life. Everything is dim and nothing excites me anymore. I've changed my major 3 times already and it's starting to get depressing.


bleeeih

/end rant


If 'nothing' interests you, you may be suffering from depression. Or just having a bad day? Anyway I am not a doctor, so will not attempt to diagnose you. Just offer some advice.

First off, stop changing your major. If none of the courses interest you, then find the subject that you do best in (be it art, music, math, English) and major in that. At least you won't be totally wasting your time. Also remember that your major does not necessarily dictate your job(s) in later life. Many people have done something totally different from what their major was. If I were you I would finish college and almost immediately afterwards, do something radically different like join the Peace Corps for a year or something similar. This will give you a breathing space to step back and look at your former life more objectively (as things will likely be different) and compare it to others' lives.

A bit of personal experience (so that you know I know what I am talking about). About 5-6 years ago I was having pretty much the same experience as you. I was beginning to dislike my job and in fact where I was. So I ended up moving (to the other side of the world as it turned out) and started doing the same type of work (teaching) there. It's now been five years going on six, and I wouldn't trade that job for anything. Sometimes it just takes something different to shake oneself out of a rut. Of course I am not suggesting that you overhaul your life so dramatically, but a year or two might give you some very valuable life experiences.

Anyway just my two cents.

[Roark]

so you're teaching english abroad?

i looked at getting a TEFL certification

maybe in a few years

[Rex]

How did you find something that you were passionate about, something that you could do for the rest of your life?

What did you want to be "when you grow up" as a child?

Maybe that's the life you should strive for.

[sharkall2003]

I say find something you're good at. I found out what I am good at and that's what I will do when I can start college graduate with a masters and get out into the workplace.

[sharkall2003]

You don't even have to be passionate about what you do rather be passionate about what you can do when you're not working. I remember reading a study saying that people who are passionate about their job make less money and when they go home they are dissapointed more often because they could be making more money doing something else.

[Songsangnim]

You don't even have to be passionate about what you do rather be passionate about what you can do when you're not working. I remember reading a study saying that people who are passionate about their job make less money and when they go home they are dissapointed more often because they could be making more money doing something else.



Seems to me, if people were REALLY passionate about their jobs, they wouldn't care about making more money. I don't get why they would be disappointed either. Sounds like a lot of people in that study don't understand the real meaning of passion.

[nejar462]

Hmm I'm REALLY passionate about almost all sciences and engineering. I dunno why, when I was growing up I readin Hawkins books, watching discovery challenge, (I dont even like sci fi actually, I just love real sciencE), and the only classes I could pay attention too were the hard sciences. I'm just so passionate about it. Plus I had a innate talent for it as well. I'm sorry I know what I just said probably isn't help you at all but on the off chance it did I put it out there. You didn't like ANY subjects in school? Or at least not hate lol....

[largelegsbuthot]

You don't have to be passionate about what you do....
This sentence was half right so I cut it short, and revised it to this:

You don't have to be passionate about what you do, but once you start making money, you will become passionate about that. Money is what drives alot of this passion career wise. Money makes EVERYTHING look more attractive. The secret is to find something you are naturally good at doing and work at it from there. My father liked cars, he developes (engineer) new vehicle parts, now he LOVES cars, but he also owns several businesses on the side for extra "free" income (and you definately don't need a Bachelor or Masters to do that). Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a doctor, lawyer or Phd to make a good living. I work in a medical clinic and while I am sure most of the doctors love the money they make, I can bet more then half of them hate what they are doing...so much stress in that environment and none of them seem all too happy. If people only did what they love but can barely scratch a living out of it, they would lose their passion for it, anyway. However, if you do something solely for the money but aren't naturally good at it or hate what you are doing, it makes the job that much more difficult and it seems as though you did more work then what you are actually paid for. I'm guessing you were really pushed to succeed by your parents, whether it be in school, some kind of after school lesson, blah blah blah. that could totally throw you off track from being able to decide what you you really like doing if you were pushed into doing things or grew up being constantly told what to do. Start by looking at your own personality, are you a leader (can handle pressure and lead others), or worker type (get along well with a large grouping of people, quiet, good at taking orders and finishing tasks)?

[nejar462]

largelegsbuthot was just so right it's unbelievable.

[sharkall2003]

This sentence was half right so I cut it short, and revised it to this:

You don't have to be passionate about what you do, but once you start making money, you will become passionate about that. Money is what drives alot of this passion career wise. Money makes EVERYTHING look more attractive. The secret is to find something you are naturally good at doing and work at it from there. My father liked cars, he developes (engineer) new vehicle parts, now he LOVES cars, but he also owns several businesses on the side for extra "free" income (and you definately don't need a Bachelor or Masters to do that). Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a doctor, lawyer or Phd to make a good living. I work in a medical clinic and while I am sure most of the doctors love the money they make, I can bet more then half of them hate what they are doing...so much stress in that environment and none of them seem all too happy. If people only did what they love but can barely scratch a living out of it, they would lose their passion for it, anyway. However, if you do something solely for the money but aren't naturally good at it or hate what you are doing, it makes the job that much more difficult and it seems as though you did more work then what you are actually paid for. I'm guessing you were really pushed to succeed by your parents, whether it be in school, some kind of after school lesson, blah blah blah. that could totally throw you off track from being able to decide what you you really like doing if you were pushed into doing things or grew up being constantly told what to do. Start by looking at your own personality, are you a leader (can handle pressure and lead others), or worker type (get along well with a large grouping of people, quiet, good at taking orders and finishing tasks)?

I agree with most. I had to ask myself that one question, am I a leader or a follower, I'm a leader for sure.

[Hockey66]

I'm not looking for a job that I'm passionate about. I need a job that can bring in enough income to support my passion. I know I'm never going to go anywhere in the motocross profession. I love burning gas. Anything with an engine I love riding, even a damn lawnmower. I love fast cars and big trucks. Without a job with sufficient income I wont be able to support my true passions.

[largelegsbuthot]

I'm not looking for a job that I'm passionate about. I need a job that can bring in enough income to support my passion.

EVERYONE's passionate about MONEY, that should be part of everyone's job, to remain profitable.

It's all about finding away to do that FIRST, but in a way that wont stress you into the grave. No, "I hate everything but sitting on the couch" remarks because there is just no place for that in this World.
You may not like what you are doing completely, but so long as it doesn't hamper your will to live and you make decent money, you should consider yourself on your way.

You DO need money+hardwork to keep that passion going, then hopefully your passion=good money+happiness.

[Shao-LiN]

If you can't do what you love, learn to love what you do.

[RussianRocket]

Only reason why i am passionate in money is that without it i could not do what i do, paint. If i could paint/draw without money, i'd do it. I'm hoping that in a few years i will be able to make money as an artist and pay for my passion with my passion.

[largelegsbuthot]

Only reason why i am passionate in money is that without it i could not do what i do... I'm hoping that in a few years i will be able to make money as an artist and pay for my passion with my passion.

Um... this is only the goal of every person on the face of the planet.

[Praetorian]

What's "onces"?

Me no speak England good! :D



The problem with finding one subject that I really like and study, is that here in Oz (and in Norway) you select a stream (a major) from the get go. It's not like in the States where you can basically study what the hell you want undergrad, then select a field postgrad.

One thing I like is History. I love reading about the ancient greeks/romans and the middleages, but in order to study history, I got to do Arts. And that means that I have to do all other sorts of ****ty subjects.

So far, I've done Chemical eng/commerce, mech eng/commerce and now doing aeronautical eng/accounting. Heh, I'm starting to think that the eng field is not for me. But yeah, I keep telling myself that it will all work out at the end.

[MixmasterNash]

An engineering degree is a good background to have. The world is ruled by technocrats. Every member of the Chinese Central Committee is an engineer. Hmmm. Maybe this isn't inspiring. I suck.

[nejar462]

50% of the CEO's in America are have engineering degrees. Or so I've been told lol...

As an ME who gets to work with explosives, let me tell you, nothing is as totally sweet as making explosives and setting them off. These are experimental explosives too, WAY better than whats out on the market...

I'm trying to bust out into the nanotech world though because thats where all the money is going, its interesting, plus I have the slim chance of making a big name for myself in there cause its still a new field.

[RussianRocket]

Um... this is only the goal of every person on the face of the planet.

i doubt that.

[tholian8]

One thing im passionate about is music and music composition- yeah, im a dork, i know and i dont care.

Hm. I'm completely passionate about classical music, been a professional horn player for 20 years. Didn't realize I was a dork, this entire time. ;)

[dissipate]

The problem with finding one subject that I really like and study, is that here in Oz (and in Norway) you select a stream (a major) from the get go. It's not like in the States where you can basically study what the hell you want undergrad, then select a field postgrad.

agreed.... i did uni in oz too.


One thing I like is History. I love reading about the ancient greeks/romans and the middleages, but in order to study history, I got to do Arts. And that means that I have to do all other sorts of ****ty subjects.

in june i was thinking about whether i wanted to go back to uni or not, and what to study (tough since i was uncertain about my passion too). i was chatting with a friend, asked her how her studies were going, and she said there are some subjects she likes and there are of course some subjects she finds boring or doesn't really like.

that hit me - there's always something we'd find interesting in a course we do, and some stuff that we'd find crappy. if you think studying history is gonna make you happy, try and tolerate all the yuk arts subjects you have to do.... i reckon that'd make you happier than doing a bunch of subjects all of which you find boring....

[Rex]

EVERYONE's passionate about MONEY

I have no interest in money whatsoever. I quit a very high paying job on Wall St. to go back to school and deliver pizza.

Mileage may vary :-)

It never makes sense to speak in absolutes cause there will always be exceptions. Hows that for hypocrisy?

[largelegsbuthot]

I have no interest in money whatsoever. I quit a very high paying job on Wall St. to go back to school and deliver pizza.

Mileage may vary :-)

It never makes sense to speak in absolutes cause there will always be exceptions. Hows that for hypocrisy?

Please tell me this ONLY when you are delivering pizza's for free.

The level of interest in money will vary but it's always there to some degree, whether it be high or low. I never claimed money will be the ONLY thing you 'll have a passion for, but PART of it.

Are you trying to say you would go into work and deliver pizzas for 6 hours if they DIDN'T pay you a salary? So if they provide a car full of gas but nothing else, would you still go to work? After all you have no interest in money whatsoever.
I guess that's why you also spent 6 years of your life studying to be a banker, so you could make NO money. :rolleyes:

[Rex]

Please tell me this ONLY when you are delivering pizza's for free.

The level of interest in money will vary but it's always there to some degree, whether it be high or low. I never claimed money will be the ONLY thing you 'll have a passion for, but PART of it.

Are you trying to say you would go into work and deliver pizzas for 6 hours if they DIDN'T pay you a salary? So if they provide a car full of gas but nothing else, would you still go to work? After all you have no interest in money whatsoever.
I guess that's why you also spent 6 years of your life studying to be a banker, so you could make NO money. :rolleyes:

Well, I do have to put food on the table and a roof over my head, but that doesn't mean I'm passionate about making money.... or delivering pizza. It means I'm willing to do what it takes in order to make my goals become reality... including quitting a high paying job and deliver pizza. I'm passionate about allot of things and I can assure you that has nothing to do with money.

There are plenty of things I'm passionate about, including weightlifting. No one pays me to lift weights. (I wish they would). In fact, allot of the things we are passionate about in life end up costing us money.

You're projecting your values unto the world. I'm just stating that not everyone shares your values.

[largelegsbuthot]

Well, I do have to put food on the table and a roof over my head, but that doesn't mean I'm passionate about making money.... or delivering pizza. It means I'm willing to do what it takes in order to make my goals become reality... including quitting a high paying job and deliver pizza. I'm passionate about allot of things and I can assure you that has nothing to do with money.

There are plenty of things I'm passionate about, including weightlifting. No one pays me to lift weights. (I wish they would). In fact, allot of the things we are passionate about in life end up costing us money.

You're projecting your values unto the world. I'm just stating that not everyone shares your values.
I'm just curious if you read the beginning of the thread at all?
This is not a " list the things you love to do thread".
This thread was about finding a CAREER to be passionate about.
If you think it is possible to dedicate your life to a career without turning some form of profit out of it (at least enough to live), go ahead. Whether or not money is your main drive ...you still NEED it. Hence it becomes PART of your passion (career wise).

YOUR projecting your "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE TO SURVIVE" values into this THREAD.
And again, when have I stated my values? When have I said Money is the most important thing to ME and that is should be to other people? I pointed out that money is important NOT paramount, however it is a good place to start considering your future options.

You also fail to recognize anything else I've said (what happened to the 2 paragraphs that followed that sentence of mine your quoting?). I'm assuming you read my last post ONLY and came to your conclusions.
Anyway, this thread is about Praetorian, if you've got suggestions, why don't you list those instead of finding ways to manipulate my posts.
Although I'm pretty sure he would like to at least make more then 5 dollars a year after he graduates 4 years of college so you might want to only list careers with those specifications. So going to the gym and amateur weightlifting (for fun and PASSION) might not be the option he's looking for. :rolleyes:

[mrelwooddowd]

LLBH..I think you misunderstand the definition of "money" in the sense that he, and the rest of the world uses it when they say "money is not important to me."

Obviously, it's a necessity to survive. Every blade of grass in the world is owned by someone now, so you can't exactly just go live off the land (but go for it if you'd like).

Having loads of cash, while ignoring things like stress, family, and other prorities is more in tune with what he was getting at, and should always be taken into consideration when job or career-hunting.

[largelegsbuthot]

LLBH..I think you misunderstand the definition of "money" in the sense that he, and the rest of the world uses it when they say "money is not important to me."

Obviously, it's a necessity to survive. Every blade of grass in the world is owned by someone now, so you can't exactly just go live off the land (but go for it if you'd like).

Having loads of cash, while ignoring things like stress, family, and other prorities is more in tune with what he was getting at, and should always be taken into consideration when job or career-hunting.

I already addressed this in my first post.
Never have I referenced making "loads of cash".

As for the last sentence, I agree, I addressed this in the last part of my first post, you probably want to be somewhat happy and not stressed out by your career. And NEVER do I say the MOST important thing is MONEY.

However, isn't it important to be able to eat, have a place to live and take care of your family?
And what do you need to do these things?

Taking care of your family, feeding yourself, living = MONEY.

If you didn't make enough money to do these things, how happy would you be with your career?
How long will that PASSION last before you give it up?
Making enough money is important PERIOD.
I find myself having to remind REX that this thread is about CAREERS, not personal Karma.

[Roark]

at this stage in my life

money is #1

[Rex]

Of course I read the begining of the thread. My suggestion to Praetorian was to follow his childhood dreams. If he wanted to be a ****ing Astronaut, he needs to go for it, balls to the wall, and don't sell out. If history is your thing, well, understand that sometimes we eat **** to achieve our goals.

Largelegsbuthot, you said, and I quote, "EVERYONE's passionate about MONEY."

You're wrong. That's all.

[largelegsbuthot]

Largelegsbuthot, you said, and I quote, "EVERYONE's passionate about MONEY."

You're wrong. That's all.

I see that even after explaining I will get nowhere.

You can't read. That's all.

[mrelwooddowd]

I see that even after explaining I will get nowhere.

You can't read. That's all.

I quit..you are always right.

[largelegsbuthot]

Largelegsbuthot, you said, and I quote, "EVERYONE's passionate about MONEY."

You're wrong. That's all.
SO? Have I knocked any of your suggestions?
And...that was in reference to careers, not in life in general.

[Garrix]

Hm. I'm completely passionate about classical music, been a professional horn player for 20 years. Didn't realize I was a dork, this entire time. ;)

heh, you may not be a dork, but i am. i do not deny that. Anyway, do you play with an orchestra? if so, which one? i always loved the horn, its a beautiful instrument... goes well with some cellos.

uh... and on topic, passion, yes, uh... great stuff! no, actually, its just about the most important part of living a happy life, so i've been told. If someone is feeling generally apathetic towards subjects and life, they're probably suffering from a type of depression. But there is hope!

....drugs! lol. im kidding... sort of. Once upon a time i told a friend of mine that i thought she seemed apathetic. She literally had a mental crisis over that. Thanks to my statements she realised she was rather apathetic towards some things. She's all better now, and has lots of interests. I felt really bad about it, but she said it wasnt my fault. oh well.