How to Pursue Your Passion When You Feel Overwhelmed

​How many times have you said to yourself, "I wish I could pursue my passion, but I'm just too overwhelmed"? Whether you're trying to figure out how to start a business, gig or simply want to read more books.... it's easy to feel like you're stuck in a rut. The good news is, there are ways to pursue your passion even when you're feeling overwhelmed.

Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Scheduling

When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to schedule time for your passion. Whether it's setting aside an hour each day to read or blocking off time each week to work on your business, put your passion on your calendar. This will help you make time for the things you love and prevent you from getting burned out.

2. Set small goals

Another way to pursue your passion when you're feeling overwhelmed is to set small goals. Rather than trying to achieve everything at once, focus on taking small steps. For example, if your goal is to start a business, set a goal of researching one potential business idea per week. Or, if you want to read more books, set a goal of reading one chapter per day. Small goals are easier to achieve and will help you stay motivated.

3. Find a support group

One final tip for pursuing your passion when you're feeling overwhelmed is to find a support group. When you're passionate about something, it's helpful to be around others who share that same passion. This can provide motivation and inspiration, and it can also make the pursuit of your passion feel less daunting. There are likely groups for almost any interest you can think of, so do some research and see what's out there.

Pursuing your passion can be difficult, but it's not impossible. By following these tips, you can overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed and start making progress toward your goals.

Identifying Your Passion

​The first step in identifying your passion is to think about what you enjoy doing. What are the activities that you naturally gravitate towards? Do you enjoy being creative, working with your hands, or being active? Once you have a list of the things you enjoy, ask yourself why you enjoy them. What is it about those activities that make them enjoyable for you?

For example, let's say you enjoy cooking. Why do you enjoy cooking? Is it the creative outlet it provides? The opportunity to make something delicious for others? The satisfaction of a job well done? Once you identify the reason you enjoy an activity, it becomes easier to see how that activity could be turned into a passion.

If you're not sure what your passion is, don't worry! There are many ways to explore different passions and find the one that is right for you. Talk to people who are passionate about the things you are interested in and see what they have to say. Read books, articles, or blogs about different passions and see if anything speaks to you.

Attend workshops or classes related to various passions. The important thing is to keep exploring until you find something that feels like a perfect fit.

Once you have found your passion, it is important to pursue it. Find ways to incorporate your passion into your life as much as possible. If your passion is cooking, challenge yourself to cook new and different recipes. If your passion is writing, start a blog or write a book. If your passion is art, start painting or sculpting. Whatever your passion may be, make sure you are pursuing it in a way that makes you happy.

Pursuing your passion can be a rewarding experience. It can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and it can be a great source of enjoyment. So don't be afraid to pursue your passion and see where it takes you!

Taking the First Step

​When it comes to making a change in your life, taking the first step can often be the hardest part. But it’s also the most important part. Without taking that first step, nothing else can happen.

For a long time, I wanted to change my career. I had been working in the same 16 years and still am today - however, I was starting to feel stagnant. I wanted to pursue my passion for writing and see if I could turn it into a career. But every time I thought about making a move, I couldn’t bring myself to take that first step.

I was afraid of failing. I was afraid of what other people would think. I was comfortable in my current situation, even though it wasn’t what I really wanted.

But last year, I realized that I was never going to make a change if I didn’t take that first step. I decided to start writing a blog. It was something that I could do on my own time and it didn’t require any major changes in my life.

Taking that first step was scary. I had no idea if anyone would actually read my blog or if I would be any good at writing. But it was also exciting. It felt like I was finally doing something that I was truly passionate about.

Since taking that first step, my blog has grown, and I’ve been able to turn it into a career. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been so worth it.

If you’re thinking about making a change in your life, don’t be afraid to take that first step. It might be scary, but it’s also the only way to make your dreams a reality.

Setting Achievable Goals

​There's no doubt that setting and achieving goals is a key part of success. But what exactly makes for a successful goal? Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

1. Pursue your passion: Make sure your goal is something that you're passionate about. If you're not passionate about it, you're much less likely to stick with it and see it through.

2. Keep it realistic: A goal that's too ambitious is often just setting yourself up for disappointment. On the other hand, a goal that's too small may not be worth pursuing in the first place. Find a happy medium and set a goal that's achievable but still challenging.

3. Make a plan: A goal without a plan is just a dream. (I've always loved that saying.) You need to have a roadmap for how you're going to achieve your goal. This doesn't need to be overly detailed or complicated, but it should give you a general idea of the steps you need to take.

4. Stay flexible: Things change, and goals sometimes need to change with them. Be flexible and willing to adjust your plan as needed.

5. Be persistent: Pursuing a goal takes effort and tenacity. There will be setbacks and roadblocks along the way, but don't let them stop you from reaching your goal.

Setting and achieving goals is essential for success. By keeping these pointers in mind, you can set goals that are more likely to lead to success.

Building Motivation and Support

​One of the most important things you can do when it comes to building motivation and support is to pursue your passion. When you have a clear passion for something, it will be much easier to stay motivated and find support from others.

Of course, it's not always easy to pursue your passion (as you've read above). You may have to make some sacrifices and put in some hard work. However, it's worth it in the end, because pursuing your passion will lead to a much more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Here are a few things I have found that you can do to help you pursue your passion:

1. Set realistic goals. If you're not sure what you're passionate about, start by setting those realistic goals. What do you want to achieve? What are your long-term goals? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you'll be much more motivated to pursue your passion.

2. Find a mentor. It can be helpful to find someone who is already successful in your field of interest. They can provide guidance and support, and help you avoid making mistakes.

3. Join a community. Pursuing your passion can be a lonely journey, but you don't have to go it alone. There are likely others who share your passion, so seek them out and connect with them. Joining a community of like-minded people will help you stay motivated and inspired. Maybe try those support groups mentioned above.

4. Be persistent. Pursuing your passion won't always be easy, but it's important to persevere. Remember why you're doing this and keep moving forward, even when the going gets tough.

5. Believe in yourself. Perhaps the most important thing of all is to believe in yourself. Pursuing your passion requires courage and self-belief. Believe that you can achieve your goals and don't let anyone, or anything stand in your way.

If you're looking to build motivation and support, pursue your passion. It's the best way to achieve fulfilment and satisfaction in life.

Keeping Yourself Accountable

​There's nothing worse than feeling like you're stuck in a constant circle. You know what you need to do to get yourself out of it, but for some reason you just can't seem to make it happen. If this sounds like you, then it's time to get serious about holding yourself accountable.

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to develop a personal accountability plan. This is a simple document that outlines what you need to do to meet your goals, and when you need to do it by. But more importantly, it's a way to hold yourself accountable for your actions.

Your accountability plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based (SMART Goals). In other words, it should be something that you can actually track and measure. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, then your plan might look something like this:

I will exercise for 30 minutes, four times per week.

I will eat a balanced diet and avoid processed foods.

I will drink eight glasses of water per day.

I will weigh myself once per week.

If you find yourself struggling to stick to your plan, then there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First, make sure that your goals are realistic. It's not going to be possible to lose 20 pounds in one week, so don't set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals.

Second, tell someone about your plan. It's much easier to stick to your goals when you've got someone else holding you accountable. Whether it's a friend, family member or even a co-worker, make sure you've got someone in your corner cheering you on.

Finally, don't be afraid to reward yourself for meeting your goals. This can be something as simple as taking a break after you've completed a difficult task or treating yourself to a new book or piece of clothing once you've reached a milestone. Whatever it is, make sure it's something that will motivate you to keep going.

Remember, it's up to you to make things happen in your life. So, if you're feeling stuck, take charge and start holding yourself accountable. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve when you set your mind to it.

Celebrating Your Achievements

​It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to celebrate your achievements. Whether it's a small personal victory or a professional milestone, take a moment to pat yourself on the back and relish in your success. Why? Because you deserve it!

Too often, we are our own worst critics. We dwell on our failures and let them overshadow our accomplishments. This negative thinking can become a destructive cycle, leading to low self-esteem and a lack of motivation. So instead of beating yourself up, celebrate your successes, big and small.

Sharing your accomplishments with others can also be a source of motivation. When you receive positive reinforcement from others, it can help reaffirm your self-belief and encourage you to pursue your passion with even more vigor.

So, take the time to celebrate your achievements and continue to pursue your passion, whether it's a job well done, a personal goal reached, or simply making it through another day. You deserve it!

🧡Shine Bright, Kayla