A SureFire Way to Discover Your Retirement Passions
When I was a little girl, my father used to ask me, “Nancy, what do you think you’ll be when you grow up?”
I desperately wanted to answer his question with something impressive. But truthfully, I didn’t know what to say. I was a well-rounded, happy-go-lucky girl, with lots of friends, good grades and a variety of activities that I liked to do.
But when it came to having a future career direction, I was at a loss. So I’d giggle and promptly change the subject.
Over time, I became a pro at “changing the subject.” I bounced from career idea – to career idea – to career idea, all the while thinking that my elusive passion would eventually surface and point me to my holy grail.
In high school, I dreamed of becoming an actress (I loved Marlo Thomas in That Girl, so acting seemed like a smart idea until I realized that I couldn’t act). In college, when I was forced to pick a major, I decided to become a therapist. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for that option quickly fizzled too (after realizing most of my professors were in serious need of therapy themselves).
Upon graduation, when I no longer could afford to just speculate about my future, I took a job with AT&T, back when AT&T was the phone company. My first assignment was managing directory assistance operators, who were twice my age and not the least bit amused to be managed by someone their child’s age. I stuck with that job for a few years, but needless to say, that didn’t fire up my passion either. Finally, over time, and with a lot of thought, I found a career that I really did love and continue to love to this day.
And the reason I love it?
Because I finally gave up on finding my one passion and instead focused on finding a combination of different factors that I enjoy.
A career that:
Enables me to spend my time doing a variety of tasks that I do well.
I find interesting
Is a good match with my values — and makes me feel valued.
You see, most of us don’t have one driving passion. That’s why the emphasis on building a retirement around passion is typically counter-productive.
Sure, there are people like Bill Gates or Billy Joel who are born with such overwhelming talent and drive, that you just can’t imagining them doing anything else. But most of us ordinary mortals have a variety of interests, talents, fascinations, sensibilities – and market opportunities – that can be combined in any number of satisfying and meaningful ways.
So stop trying to find your one and only “passion.” You’ll only drive yourself crazy. Instead reframe your P.A.S.S.I.O.N as an acronym – or a formula – that pulls together the many variables that you need to have a life that you can be passionate about.
FORMULA FOR P.A.S.S.I.O.N
P = People
A= Activities
S =Subjects
S= Settings
I=Issues
O=Opportunities
N=Needs
For each of these areas, ask yourself a few key questions:
PEOPLE: What types of people do I like to spend time with? Men or women? Children or seniors? Creatives or intellectuals? Entrepreneurial personalities or corporate types?
ACTIVITIES: How do I like to spend my free time? What are my favorite activities?
SUBJECTS: What are my favorite topics to discuss, read or think about? What were my favorite subjects in school?
SKILLS, GIFTS AND TALENTS: What am I the “go-to” person for? What are my natural talents? What do I find easy that others find difficult?
ISSUES: What are the issues, topics or causes that I find important? What do I consider the most critical issues of our time?
And then, because you can’t turn your passions into meaningful activities without outlets for your interests, ask yourself:
OPPORTUNITIES: What activities/opportunities appear to be a good match for somebody with my combination of skills, experiences, interests and talents?
NEEDS: What needs can I help fill? As Aristotle so wisely said, “Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation.”
By investigating your P.A.S.S.I.O.N as a formula that involves multiple components – and by being willing to revisit and road-test your conclusions over time – you will move much faster towards crafting a happy life. Because when:
You spend time with people you like
Doing activities you enjoy in a pleasing environment
Focused on subjects and issues that you care about
You are bound to feel valued and fulfilled. And that, my friends, is a goal that we can all be passionate about.
