Chapter 1. Should You Follow Your Passion?
“Your time is limited. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
STEVE JOBS
innovator, entrepreneur, visionary
“You can also fail at what you don’t want.”
JIM CARREY
actor, comedian, artist
Passion is not a fixed destination – it’s a starting point, a whisper that calls you to explore what brings you joy and meaning. For many, the path forward isn’t clear at first, and that’s OK. The journey begins by giving yourself permission to discover what feels most right for you, even if you’re unsure where it might lead.
Too often, life pulls us toward choices that feel safe but leave us unfulfilled. We take these paths because they’re familiar or promise security. But no choice is entirely without risk – the risk of regret, the weight of untapped potential, and the quiet ache of wondering, “What if?” The cost of playing it safe is never knowing what might have been.
Following your passion is about trusting your curiosity and exploring what excites you, even if the path ahead feels uncertain.
This journey requires courage to step into the unknown, resilience to face setbacks, and an openness to discovering what truly lights you up. It’s about learning to listen to yourself amid the noise of expectations and judgments.
We’re not talking about having a concrete plan or taking immediate action. It’s about creating the space to imagine and reflect, to entertain the idea that your life could align with your interests and values. All you need right now is the willingness to believe there’s something extraordinary waiting for you, still to be uncovered.
While right now we’re focusing on your current passions, this is just the beginning. Soon, we’ll explore these from a broader perspective, uncovering deeper insights and possibilities.
IN-TUNE MUSIC
Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond,
a tribute to unique brilliance, it celebrates those who shine brightly with passion, creativity, and vision – yet reminds us of the cost of genius.
U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
captures the search for meaning and purpose, reflecting the challenge of discovering your true passion and direction.
The Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want
reminds us that dreams alone aren’t enough – reality plays a role, and adapting can lead to unexpected but meaningful fulfilment.
SNAP! – The Power
drives home the message that passion alone isn’t enough – real power comes from action, determination, and taking control to create meaningful impact.
Bon Jovi – It’s My Life
reinforces the idea that motivation isn’t just about feeling inspired – it’s about seizing control, making choices, and taking action to shape your own future.
Take That – Shine
highlights that motivation isn’t always about waiting for a spark – it comes from embracing your strengths, stepping forward with confidence, and letting your own light lead the way.
Sia – Unstoppable
highlights the power of inner strength and confidence, showing that real motivation comes from within, not just from external validation.
Lana Del Rey – Young and Beautiful,
a haunting reflection on fleeting validation, this song questions whether admiration lasts—highlighting how external rewards, like beauty and status, are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying.
Frank Sinatra – My Way
embodies the idea of living on your own terms and staying true to your path, making it a perfect reflection on legacy and personal impact.
Queen – We Are the Champions
celebrates perseverance and resilience, showing how having a clear sense of purpose can provide the drive and direction needed to achieve greatness.
Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten
reflects the idea that as long as your story is still unfolding, possibility remains—crafting a personal mission statement helps shape what comes next.
Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb,
performed by David Gilmour and David Bowie, a haunting portrayal of emotional detachment that reflects the passive surrender to comfort. It captures how numbness can feel safe but ultimately stifles growth and change.
Keane – Everybody’s Changing
reflects how comfort is deceptive – while everything evolves, staying the same feels safe but limiting. Growth requires embracing discomfort, not clinging to familiar routines that hold you back.
Supertramp – Even in the Quietest Moments
reflects the introspective space between fear and growth. It captures how stepping beyond comfort brings uncertainty, yet within that stillness, the possibility of transformation quietly unfolds.
Frozen – Let It Go
embodies the power of stepping beyond hesitation and taking action. It highlights how breaking free from self-imposed limits allows growth, confidence, and transformation to unfold.
Imagine Dragons – Believer
reinforces the transformative power of belief and self-perception. It highlights how struggle and mindset shape reality – pain and setbacks can fuel growth when belief drives resilience and action.
Lauren Daigle – You Say
reflects the struggle between doubt and self-belief. It can be interpreted as capturing how shifting inner language – from limitation to possibility – can redefine identity and unlock personal growth.
R.E.M. – Losing My Religion
is about self-doubt and questioning beliefs. It captures how emotions distort reality, making us feel lost when our assumptions no longer hold true
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony, the song and its iconic video, express the frustration of feeling stuck in routine. It highlights the tension between ambition and resignation, reinforcing the need for change.
Queen – I Want It All, an anthem of ambition and urgency, injects momentum into the mix. It’s the push to reject passivity and actively pursue something greater.
Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer,
a story of struggle and resilience, showing how hardships reinforce limiting beliefs – but also how perseverance can challenge what we think is possible.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop,
a chaotic burst of momentum, this song celebrates movement and flow. It reinforces that energy builds through action – once you start, you create your own drive.
In the Wall Street movie, corporate raider Gordon Gekko delivers a ruthless speech on the power of greed, arguing that relentless ambition drives progress. Yet, his own fate raises the question – does unchecked greed truly lead to fulfilment?
Wall Street Greed is Good Speech.
If we believe Gekko, greed is good. But if we look at his life, was it really? His words promise success, yet his downfall reveals the emptiness behind chasing wealth and power.
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven,
a mystical, slow-building journey toward fulfillment, it reflects how passion is not just a spark, but something sought, shaped, and discovered over time.
The Beatles – Across the Universe,
a transcendent reflection on creativity and inspiration, it suggests that ideas and meaning flow freely when we open ourselves to the vastness of possibility.
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here,
a haunting reflection on disconnection and illusion, it questions how perception shapes reality. Someone can be present yet feel worlds away, shaped by beliefs and assumptions.
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’,
a call to embrace change, it reminds us that fear of failure is inevitable – but resisting change only holds us back from growth and new possibilities.
Sara Bareilles – Brave,
an anthem for overcoming fear, it encourages stepping past self-doubt – reminding us that fear often feels real but shouldn’t dictate our actions or hold us back.
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide,
a poignant reflection on change and self-doubt, it captures the fear of growth – wondering if success will reshape us or if we’re truly ready for it.
Rag’n’Bone Man – Human,
a raw, honest take on imperfection, it explores how self-doubt fuels fear of success – reminding us that we don’t need to be flawless to move forward.
Oasis – Stop Crying Your Heart Out,
a powerful reminder that fear can become a habit, it encourages letting go of doubt, trusting the process, and moving forward despite uncertainty.
Dido – Life for Rent,
a poignant reflection on hesitation, it captures how indecision and avoidance stem from fear of commitment – reminding us that without ownership, we remain stuck in inaction.
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
a bold declaration of renewal, it embodies the power of action – stepping forward, leaving hesitation behind, and embracing a fresh start with confidence and conviction.
Irene Cara – What a Feeling,
an uplifting anthem of transformation, it celebrates how action sparks change – showing that momentum, passion, and belief can shift your mindset and break through hesitation.
Eminem – Lose Yourself,
a high-stakes call to action, it captures the urgency of seizing opportunity – pushing past fear, hesitation, and self-doubt to take control of the moment before it’s gone.
The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up,
an electrifying push into action, it embodies momentum – reminding us that taking the first step is often all it takes to break through hesitation and get going.
The Beatles – Let It Be,
a timeless message of acceptance, reminds us that uncertainty isn’t always a problem – sometimes, the best path forward is to trust the process and embrace the unknown.
David Bowie – Heroes,
a powerful anthem of resilience that reminds us that even in uncertainty, bold action and belief can create extraordinary outcomes – if we dare to embrace possibility.
Truman has lived his entire life inside a manufactured reality, unknowingly filmed for a global audience. When he discovers the truth, he faces a choice – stay in comfort or step into the unknown.
Truman Show, Truman realises he’s being watched.
A bold leap into uncertainty, this scene symbolises breaking free from comfort. Truman chooses the unknown over illusion, showing that true change requires stepping beyond the familiar.
Bob and Charlotte, two strangers adrift in Tokyo, form a deep but fleeting connection. As they part ways, Bob whispers something to Charlotte – unheard by the audience – leaving their relationship unresolved.
Lost in Translation, Final Whisper Scene
A quiet, unresolved moment that embraces uncertainty. Instead of clear answers, Bob and Charlotte share a fleeting connection – showing that not all transitions require immediate resolution.
The Traveling Wilburys – End of the Line,
a laid-back anthem to uncertainty, this song embraces life’s unpredictability. Instead of fearing the unknown, it reassures – wherever you’re headed, it’s all part of the journey.
Diana refuses to accept limitations and steps into the battlefield alone, defying fear and proving that barriers exist only until we challenge them.
Wonder Woman – No Man’s Land,
Faced with doubt, Diana believes in what’s possible and takes action. This moment embodies courage, breaking through hesitation, and proving that bold belief creates change.
What have you always been naturally drawn to as a child?
Reflecting on what you were naturally drawn to as a child can reveal deep-seated passions and interests that still influence you today.
Begin by recalling your earliest memories and identifying activities, environments, or subjects that consistently captured your attention. Consider the emotions these interests evoked and the sense of joy or excitement they brought.
Think about role models or influential figures in your life and how they might have shaped your interests. Reflect on talents you exhibited and how you expressed them in daily life. Consider how you spent your free time and your hobbies or projects.
Recognise any recurring themes or patterns in your interests and evaluate whether these passions have persisted into adulthood. If they’ve faded, think about why this might have happened and whether they could be rekindled.
Pay attention to overlooked interests – things you daydreamed about, books you were drawn to, or stories that inspired you. These hold clues to what matters deeply to you.
If you don’t remember much from your childhood or there was nothing particularly notable, consider reflecting on other aspects of your life to uncover your passions.
Start by thinking about your current interests and activities that you find fulfilling and enjoyable. Pay attention to what you naturally gravitate towards in your free time, such as a hobby, a type of work, or a specific subject matter.
Reflect on the tasks or activities that can make you lose track of time because you’re so absorbed in them.
Consider how your values align what you love doing.
Explore the moments when you feel most energised, fulfilled, and connected to a sense of purpose, as these can provide valuable clues to your passions.
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