Lets be real.
You feel empty.
You spend the majority of your time at work, the gym, watching Netflix, and swimming at the local park pool on the weekends (side note- no hate goes out to the people who live this way).
The issue is, you still feel empty. You feel like there is something more to do or a constant “what else?” feeling inside your mind telling you there has got to be more out there.
I had this same issue and it’s not fun. I struggled with anxiety and depression and this “empty feeling” left me dealing with passion and fulfillment problems. I had nothing to work on to bring me that joy and purpose we as humans thrive off of.
Mix in a recent break up and I was primed for mental health issues and a bad relationship with food causing out of control weight gain, all kinds of self-image issues, and a lack of fulfillment.
All of those combined equal an overweight, sad, negative, and close minded individual and this was easily the lowest point I’ve hit in my life thus far.
Three years later and looking back I am so thankful to have pulled myself out of the bad path I was going down (big thanks to my girlfriend as well as she managed to date me at my lowest).
I tell that story to say, we all hit lows in life and we all have periods of time we might not be the most proud of, but my hope is that through this newsletter, books, and many good influential people on social media, you can see it is possible to change.
Don’t beat yourself up over it, but you have to take the first step forward in accepting change is required. I suggest implementing today’s topic- Passion Projects, but there are plenty of different ways to go about it.
I also want you to know that constant feeling tugging at you is a sign and a calling for you to do more, see more, and achieve more. It’s a sign saying you were meant for more than this.
Your ideal life is calling you. You just have to be willing to take the first step in order to get it.
What are Passion Projects?
Passion Projects- A passion/interest of yours that you can use to create a tangible project. Something to work on to make you feel happier, more fulfilled, and a feeling of pride and joy.
Passion Projects are quite literally a passion you turn into a project. Think of it like a hobby but putting more intent into it.
Instead of just doing this hobby on the weekend, these projects are something you commit to and invest time and resources (if you have to) in order to see the desired outcome.
You may wonder why these Passion Projects even matter, but think about it.
Humans from the dawn of time have lived off one deep rooted feeling.
Purpose.
From caveman hunting to a modern day lawyer in the court of law.
We for thousands of years have spent our entire lives with one overall goal.
Serving a purpose.
At my current job, I talk to retired people all day and the biggest thing I see is the ones who have retired and spend their time doing nothing are sad, usually more rude, irritable, and negative. (Obviously this is not all of them but a majority of them are this way)
They spend their time looking to criticize others to try and bury the pain they feel because they are bored and have nothing better to do.
They work for 40-50 years just to retire and have nothing to do causing them to no longer serve a purpose as far as career wise, which for most people is the biggest purpose activity we do.
We as humans want to have a purpose and feel needed and I think the key to a life of happiness is accomplishing this with work that you love.
Finding that one thing that brings a smile on your face, pays the bills, and you plan to do for years to come.
That there is the “perfect career.”
I don’t know about you but I would rather get to spend my life on a series of projects and work that makes me happy, excited, and solves my deep rooted issue of purpose.
Aimlessness is the Killer of All Accomplishments.
Life is short and we all know this. But, if we all know this then why in the hell would you not do everything in your power to do what you love and erase what you don’t?
Luckily I say that with a solution in mind and you guessed it.
This is where Passion Projects step in.
They are the acting void between aimlessly living life and tapping into your interest seeking, creative mind to pursue a passion of your own.
These projects can eradicate this empty feeling of “there is more to your life but I don’t know what.”
And the fun part about this is, these projects can be whatever you want.
The whole point is to pursue your passion and choose something you want to do. A project that is going to make you excited to work on and be proud of.
Whether its going to the gym, painting, writing a book, a side hustle, a non-profit, the list is endless.
There are no boundaries to these projects because they are yours and that unlocks the ability for you to get to do whatever you want to do.
The whole basis is around you and what you want to. Which means allow yourself to be creative and dig deep into what it is you want to create and what future you want to live.
That being said, there are a few requirements for these projects.
It must be something you enjoy. (Pretty obvious)
You have to work on the project each week. (Consistency is key)
You must stay up to date with the research and education around this project. (A lack of education can be detrimental to you progressing through life). (
Personify a scientist testing a hypothesis until you reach a conclusion/solution. (In your case this “hypothesis” is your passion project)
Have fun. These projects are meant to propel you to a more fulfilled and exciting life. I want these projects to allow you to have more fun. I feel like as we get older we get too stubborn and lose joy in the little things.
The Passion Pursuit Framework:
A step by step framework to creating your first Passion Project.
Identify- Start to dig deep into you. What do you love to do for fun? What do you enjoy doing for work, a hobby, with friends? What content do you like consuming? Begin by dissecting you and your interests.
Research- Pull up Google and Youtube and start to research the interests of your choosing. Find out different ways you can turn this interest into a tangible project. Look at what others have done so you can get ideas on your own project. The harsh truth is that you aren’t special. There are plenty of people who like what you like and do what you want to do, but that allows for you to see what they have done and use it as an example.
Action- Regardless if you have all the bits and pieces you need, just start. Too many people get trapped in video void and never end up starting. Take action and correct yourself as you go. Like I mentioned earlier act like a scientist.
Commitment and Consistency- You have to be willing to commit to this project and put in the effort. No results will be shown without taking the time to let the results occur. Without full commitment and staying consistent, you will never see your Passion Project all the way through.
Reiteration- As you progress, make sure to reiterate each step. Freshen up your knowledge, read some blog posts, build another list of your passions, find mentors online that you can consume for ideas. Don’t just do these things once. Completing these multiple times across years allows for you to grow and build these projects bigger and better.
Share- I’d suggest once you build these projects, share what you learn. Put out your views and side of things to the world to allow people to learn from you. There are plenty of people needing help and you may have the knowledge needed to help them.
Last Remarks
If you are living a life empty of Passion Projects, I highly encourage you to start yours today. Not only are these projects fun, but some of them may open new opportunities for you.
No matter the project you decide to try, these projects allow for you to explore your passions in a world where we are constricted to being told do this, this, and this all the time.
For those of you who are unhappy of the life you are currently living, I ask that you start your first project today and put effort into it.
If you stick to your project for long enough I believe you can turn it into more than just a project. You can turn it into a lifestyle, but only if you invest the time needed for it to be.
Life is so short, you might as well do what you want to do.
Why live a life of unhappiness when you can live a life of your choosing, doing what you love.
With that said, I hope you enjoyed this weeks edition of Sunday Reset.
If you did feel free to subscribe and you will receive one email every Sunday with actionable advice to living a life you want.
If you are looking to do what you want, when you want, making money doing it, while also growing as a person join me and lets do it together.
Good luck to the new week ahead my friend.
Change your story.
-Isaiah
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