Listen closely: This is the best business and life advice I've encountered. Tune into the spark that ignites within you, follow it, and nurture it. Listen to your audience—whether customers, mentees, volunteers you serve, or community members. They'll reveal what resonates and what doesn't. You'll find your inner spark aligns perfectly with their needs. Serving them effectively amplifies that spark, boosting your efficiency and impact in ways that feel profoundly rewarding. It's a powerful feedback loop blending strategy and inspiration.
I frequently meet people feeling stuck, unsure how to find a job, hobby, or project that truly lights them up. Here's proven guidance drawn from real experiences:
Act.
Don't wait for clarity or a bolt from the blue. Dive in: Try new things. Be active. Connect with new people. Travel. Explore. Work diligently—as celebrated chef Julia Child wisely noted, "You have to have discipline to have fun."
Serve.
Science backs this: Humans thrive happiest when helping others. At every step toward passion, ask: How can my time, energy, focus, skills, and talents best serve a greater good?
Have fun.
Embrace Julia Child's wisdom. Never apologize for investing time in what brings you joy.
Related: 3 ways to discover your true passion
Listen to the spark that ignites within you. Follow that spark and nurture it.
Matt Schulz
44; founder of TalkingInClass.org; Austin, TX
With a decade in personal finance media, I knew Americans faced serious credit and debt challenges. But speaking to my son's fifth-grade class about credit ignited my passion for financial literacy. The 10-year-olds' enthusiasm and sharp questions stunned me. Leveraging my network of finance experts, I launched TalkingInClass.org to recruit pros for classroom volunteering nationwide, equipping kids with essential money skills. Recruiting colleagues, I see that same spark light up in them.
Jodi Ashbrook
35; speaker, author, traveling yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and life coach; Hamilton, Ohio
At 24, negative thought loops and existential doubts trapped me. Comfort-eating led to an 80-pound gain; I was isolated, deeply in debt. After a suicide attempt and life-threatening blood clots, I vowed to ditch fear, embrace risks, and pursue passion despite terror. Teaching yoga and coaching others shifted my focus outward, delivering unmatched joy. I've since built a business, owned a studio, and embraced a nomadic life of wellness and growth. Today, I'm truly free.
Meredith Cohen
35; Occupational therapist; Plymouth, MA
Post-college, I was a senior media planner at a top ad agency until my father's Parkinson's diagnosis. While the disease couldn't be halted, we could enhance his life quality. Research showed tai chi, yoga, and boxing improved balance, strength, and confidence for Parkinson's patients. Reflecting on my own career dissatisfaction fueled a pivot to something meaningful. A connection at Massachusetts General Hospital introduced me to occupational therapy, and I fell in love. I gave two weeks' notice, retrained rigorously, and now, as an advanced clinician with awards and specialized programs for neurological conditions, every day improving lives confirms it was worth the fear.
Related: 4 Ways to Find Passion and Purpose in Your Life
This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
