How to Find Your Passion

“The things you are passionate about are not random; they are your calling.”
Fabienne Fredrickson

At first, I was on the fence about adding passion to this list. Passion is an emotion, but finding your passion is a skill. Finding your passion can be considered a skill because it requires self-awareness, exploration, and intentional effort—qualities that can be developed over time.

Self-Reflection: Finding your passion involves reflecting on your interests, values, and strengths. Practicing introspection and asking meaningful questions about what excites and fulfills you is a skill that can be honed. Some people are born knowing what they want to do; their passion appears to be part of them. For others, a journey of self-discovery is required, and the ability to be self-aware is a skill that can be developed over time.
Exploration: Discovering your passion often requires trying new things, stepping out of your comfort zone, and learning from diverse experiences. The willingness to explore and experiment is a skill that builds adaptability and curiosity. I had a passion for Japan. I had to leave a world of study and Japanese movies to discover my love for Japan. Moving to Japan as an exchange student converted my interest in Japan into a passion for Japan.
Pattern Recognition: Identifying recurring themes in what you enjoy and are naturally drawn to—such as hobbies, topics, or types of work—is a skill that helps narrow down your true passions. For years, I had a passion for music and high-end audio equipment. This led me to interview and get a job offer from EMI Music Japan, which I turned down because I understood financial statements and realized the company had financial challenges. The CEO left a week after I turned the offer down. My passion for audio also led me to establish a small import company in Japan. I imported some name-brand audio makers from the United States and Europe into Japan.
Resilience: The process of finding your passion can include setbacks and uncertainties. Developing resilience and perseverance helps you stay committed to the journey. Embracing these setbacks and understanding they are part of the journey is critical. Following your passion is not free and usually comes with hard work and sacrifice. Building the discipline required to embrace the setbacks and learn to enjoy the journey is vital.
Decision-Making: The ability to evaluate options and make deliberate choices about where to focus your energy and time is essential to finding and pursuing your passion. Life offers countless possibilities, and without the ability to assess your options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or directionless. Deliberate decision-making helps you prioritize what aligns with your values and long-term goals. We all know people who have too many priorities and cannot focus. I often fall victim to this because I have many interests and hobbies. Pursuing everything indiscriminately can lead to exhaustion and frustration. Evaluating your options helps you focus on what excites and motivates you, keeping you energized and committed. Finding focus is a skill, and each deliberate choice reinforces our commitment to our passion.

While some people may seem naturally attuned to their passions, it’s a journey of self-discovery and skill development for many. With effort and openness to growth, anyone can cultivate the ability to uncover and follow their passions.

Explore new activities, reflect on what excites you, and align your passion with your purpose for a fulfilling life.

Overcoming Common Barriers to Find Your Passion

Finding your passion isn’t always straightforward. Obstacles often arise that can cloud your vision or sap your motivation. Recognizing and addressing these barriers is an essential part of the journey.

Fear of Failure: Many hesitate to pursue their interests because they fear they won’t succeed. This fear can paralyze exploration before it even begins. Overcoming it requires reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a dead end.

When I started my audio import business in Japan, I wasn’t guaranteed success, but each misstep taught me something valuable about logistics, customer preferences, and perseverance. By the way, that business, in the long run, was not successful, but my passion for improvement and becoming the best version of myself did not die with that project.
External Expectations: Society, family, or peers may push you toward “practical” paths that don’t ignite your enthusiasm. Breaking free involves trusting your instincts and valuing your happiness over others’ approval.

I always thought I had to have motivation before I could be successful and find my passion. All the self-help books and videos discussed motivation being key to finding your passion. I wasted several years chasing down motivation as a key success factor in finding my passion. It was not until later that I realized that discipline, consistency, and perseverance are much better tools to find one’s passion. Action is better than emotion.
Lack of Time: Busy schedules can make exploration feel impossible. Carving out even small pockets of time—15 minutes daily to read about a topic or try a hobby—can spark breakthroughs. Passion doesn’t always demand grand gestures; it often grows from consistent, quiet effort.

Very few people are born knowing what their passion in life is. Time, discipline, and commitment to small improvements over time will help set you on the path to discovering your true passion.

Addressing these barriers builds passion, character, and confidence, turning obstacles into stepping stones.

The Role of Curiosity in Uncovering Passion

How many of you have heard “Curiosity killed the cat?” This phrase warns against unnecessary curiosity or prying too much into things that don’t concern you. It suggests that being overly inquisitive can lead to trouble or harm. To me, this feels like the worst advice ever.

While curiosity can sometimes lead to trouble, it’s also a key driver of growth, learning, and innovation.

Curiosity is the spark that lights the way to passion. It’s the urge to ask “What if?” or “Why not?” and follow where those questions lead. Developing curiosity as a habit can transform vague interests into deep, enduring passions.

Ask questions: You can start by asking what interests you. Why do certain activities or subjects catch your attention?

When I first became interested in Japan, I asked myself what fascinated me about its culture—was it the language, the aesthetics, or the history? Each answer led me deeper into answering the questions required to turn my dream into actions that would take me to Japan.
Follow Tangents: Let your curiosity wander. A passing interest in Japanese films led me to study the language, which opened the door to living abroad. One small step can uncover a chain of unexpected passions.

My passion for Japan led to a successful twenty-two-year career there. I started as the “Japan Guy,” but other opportunities became available, and I also became the “Asia Pacific Guy” living in Japan. I had the wonderful experience of working and traveling to Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Stay Open-Minded: Curiosity thrives when you entertain possibilities without judgment. Even if something seems impractical or unrelated to your current life, give it a chance—it might reveal a passion you never knew you had.

I started my career with a small marketing research company in Michigan. Traveling to, living in, working, and traveling throughout Japan and Asia opened my mind to new opportunities and an open-mindedness I never thought possible.

Cultivating curiosity isn’t just about finding passion; it’s about enriching your life with wonder and possibility.

Passion and Purpose

Finding your passion is only half the equation—aligning it with a sense of purpose takes it to the next level. Passion fuels your energy, while purpose gives it direction.

My passion was the Japanese language, movies, and music. I turned my passion into a purpose of building a successful career in Japan and across Asia.

It was easy to find my purpose, but here are a few hints you can consider for yourselves:

Define Your ‘Why’: Ask yourself how your passion can contribute to something bigger. My love for audio wasn’t just about sound quality—it became a way to connect people with music that moved them, enhancing their lives in small but meaningful ways.

The “Why” is always essential.

First, your “Why” connects your passion to something bigger than yourself. It’s not just about enjoying an activity—it’s about understanding how it fits into your life or impacts the world. For example, if you love painting, your “Why” might be to express emotions, inspire others, or preserve beauty. That bigger picture keeps you grounded and motivated, even on tough days. I loved Japan, and it helped me persevere even when I thought I wanted to give up and go home.

Second, it helps you prioritize. Life throws endless options; passion alone can pull you in too many directions. Your “Why” acts like a filter, letting you focus on what aligns with your values and goals. When I was passionate about audio equipment, my “Why” wasn’t just the gear—it was bringing people closer to music they loved. That clarity helped me start an import business instead of chasing every audio-related hobby. I enjoyed the people in my audio circle more than the equipment itself.
Finally, your “Why” makes your passion fulfilling in the long term. It’s the difference between chasing short-lived thrills and building something enduring. When you know why your passion matters to you, every step feels purposeful, not just pleasurable.
Test the Waters: Experiment with integrating your passion into a broader goal.

When I lived in Japan, I didn’t just soak up the culture for my enjoyment—I explored ways to weave my passion for it into something bigger. Moving there as an exchange student, later building a career, and starting side gigs like importing audio equipment wasn’t just about personal interest or profit; it was about connecting with a society I admired and sharing something valuable across borders—each step—whether learning the language or navigating business—tested and refined my sense of purpose.
Embrace Evolution: Your passion and purpose may shift over time. What starts as a personal interest can grow into a mission—or change entirely. Flexibility keeps you aligned with what matters most at each stage of life.

This is so important. I spent twenty-two years in Japan, a country I loved. It gave me great friends, experiences, a house, a wife, and two wonderful boys. It was my passion and purpose, but in 2020, I picked up everything, moved my family back to the United States, and started the journey towards my “next” purpose.

When passion and purpose intertwine, you don’t just enjoy what you do—you feel it matters. That’s the sweet spot of a fulfilling life.

Practical Steps to Start Today

Finding your passion and purpose is not derived from a checklist, but I will give you a checklist.

Finding your passion can feel daunting, but small, actionable steps can set you on the path.

Here’s how to begin:

Write it Down/Make a List: Write down moments, activities, or topics that have ever made you feel excited or alive. Look for patterns—what threads connect them?

When I first decided to live in Japan, the journey from Michigan to Japan felt daunting and impossible. The only way forward was to write down my plan. By documenting my plan, I discovered that the best path forward was to apply for the Japanese exchange program offered by my university. Writing things down allowed me to organize the jumble of ideas into a cohesive plan and take action. I replaced worry with plans and action.
Try One New Thing: Pick something you’ve been curious about and give it a shot; no pressure is attached. A single cooking class, a book on a new subject, or a weekend hike could spark something unexpected.

For me, it was building a vacuum tube amplifier. I have too many hobbies, but one of my favorites is music and high-end audio equipment. I have been hooked on them since high school. I have always wanted to own a vacuum tube amplifier, but I did not wish to buy one; I wanted to build one.

In Japan, they are called a 真空管アンプ (Shinkuukann Amp). I knew I wanted to build one and decided it was time to try that one new thing. A whole sub-culture and endless shops at Akihabara Station sell parts, kits or complete vacuum tube amplifiers.

I decided to take the kit path and a company called Sun Audio. Their shop was no larger than an average living room in an American home. The model I selected was the SV-2A3, and I am sure I am boring all of you with this example. Still, I was passionate about it, and successfully building that kit and having beautiful music come out of my speakers was a significant milestone in my life. I was very proud of myself for accomplishing something new.

As a side note, when I first purchased that kit, the kit version cost a little under $1000. I checked out the Sun Audio site again to research this content, and the price is now roughly $2500. Everything is getting expensive!
Talk to Others: Ask friends, family, or even strangers what they’re passionate about and why. Their stories might inspire you or reveal passions you share.

Can you think yourself to success? The quick answer is no. Success is a culmination of hard work, time invested, and the experience gained through mistakes. But it’s not just about you. It’s about the people you surround yourself with, the successful people who can inspire and guide you. Your thought process and attitude are the critical factors that could lead to your success.

I have a group of men I trust to give me balanced advice about the challenges I face in life. Their advice helps me break down mental barriers (fears) and push ahead, making it easier to focus on or find my passion.
Practice Positive Affirmations: Spend five minutes each week thinking about what energized you most. Over time, this builds a clearer picture of what drives you.

The narratives we create are crucial in our journey to success. We are what we repeatedly tell ourselves we are. To be successful, we have to say to ourselves that we are successful. This compelling concept underscores the significance of self-reflection and positive affirmations in our personal growth and success.

If you tell yourself daily you will fail, you will probably find a way to fail. If you tell yourself daily you will succeed or overcome the obstacles you face, you have a better chance of finding your passion and a path leading to success.
Commit to Patience: Passion doesn’t always reveal itself quickly. Treat the process like an adventure, not a race.

These steps aren’t revolutionary, but they’re effective. Start small, stay consistent, and let your passion emerge naturally.

Final Thoughts

Finding your passion is not just about emotion—it’s a skill that can be cultivated through self-reflection, exploration, resilience, and deliberate decision-making. While some people seem to have an innate sense of their passion, for many, it’s a journey of discovery that requires curiosity, persistence, and an openness to growth.

Staying committed to this process requires overcoming common barriers such as fear of failure, external expectations, and lack of time. Aligning passion with purpose brings deeper fulfillment and gives direction and meaning to our pursuits.

My search for passion is a continuous journey. By taking small, intentional steps—writing down goals, trying new things, engaging with inspiring people, and maintaining a mindset of patience and positivity—I have been able to uncover what truly drives me. You can do the same!

Passion and purpose evolve, but by embracing the journey, you can build a meaningful and rewarding life.

The Day Warrior

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