Have you ever sat at your work desk imagining what you can be doing outside of the four walls? Going incognito on Google Chrome instead of working on your assigned tasks?  I’m there. As I’m sitting here writing this, I see my co-workers passing by and I’m wondering; is this their passion?

I really want to ask them this because I hear the same rehearsed conversation every time they pass by; “How are you today?”, “I’m doing well, thanks!”. They all say this with a smile or quick smirk on their faces. I see and hear this about twenty times a day. Can you ALL enjoy what you’re doing here?

Maybe it’s the Millennial in me, but I have an itch for something else. Something bigger. Something passionate. What I do now is great, but I feel something else is calling me? It’s something I need to explore. The only problem is that I need to make a living in order to explore. It’s a cycle situation.

Lately, the cycle is breaking. I’m exploring my passion regardless of my 9-5. You want to learn how? Keep Reading.

Utilize your weekend.

The time you have during the weekend is valuable. After a long 9-5 week, we tend to want to lounge and relax our weekend away. On the contrary, you have a whole 48 hours to work on your passion.

I started utilizing my time on the weekends to explore my passion. I’m going to my local professional schools and to take classes and workshops to better my craft. I am investing in myself. Even when I want to wear long socks and a fleece sweater with a bowl of popcorn, I use my online learning membership to combine a relaxing weekend with a productive session. 

Listen to Podcasts

When I’m at work, I realized instead of listening to the newest gossip and exchanges of hellos by co-workers in the hallway, I’d plug my ears with something more useful. Podcasts have three purposes (entertain, inform, persuade) and they’re great ways to keep you motivated in exploring your passion.

At-Home Routine.

Have you realized as soon as you get home from work, you have a “do nothing” behavior? Of course, you do! After all the meetings, emails, and traffic, “do nothing” is considered a self-care motto. As soon as I got home, the clasps and buttons were gone and my wine and Apple Music were a mood. No routine. I just wanted to relax, eat, and go to sleep.

Now, I have a routine where I am still doing these things that make me happy; in addition to working towards my passion. Whether it’s planning, learning, reading, or watching something related to my passion, I make sure the last 1-2 hours of my day are dedicated to exploring.

Explore At Work

Depending on where you work, there are departments for everything. Never seclude yourself to just one area of the workplace. If there’s something you’re interested in learning, go ask a fellow co-worker about it. Learn from your peers.

If you don’t have this type of workplace, think outside of the box. Meetups. Meetups are a great way to connect with a community you want to be a part of. Meetups have a variety of people who are looking to explore the same passion.

Vision Board

If you ever need motivation or the visual to see yourself explore and discover your passion, create a vision board. Vision boards are great visual tools that’ll manifest your desire to explore your passion. With all the obstacles and struggles we go through, a vision board will be a reminder of the path or happiness you truly want from life. Nothing can steer you away from your vision. Learn How to Create A Vision Board

Exploring your passion with a 9-5 isn’t easy. The cycle situation is tough to break. There are days that you may think it isn’t worth it. That you’re not worth it. Don’t believe those types of thoughts. If it makes you happy, it’s priceless. My passion is something I’m willing to grow whenever I get the chance. Are you willing to put in the hard work to grow what you truly deserve to do?