Latest Blog Posts
Reading Time – 10 minutes
In this 3 part series on mindset, I started with decluttering your mind and then we looked at being curious. This helps to make room for new ideas and rethink old mindsets.
Let’s explore how to identify, plan, and execute passion projects that align with your interests, skills, and aspirations. By focusing on actionable strategies, you can uncover hobbies or side projects that bring purpose and joy to your daily life. Whether you’re looking for creative outlets, career-boosting ventures, or personal growth activities, this guide will help you get started.
Nine powerful tips and three action steps you can take immediately.
1. Reflect on your interests and skills
Start by making a list of the activities, subjects, or skills you naturally enjoy or are curious about. Ask yourself which experiences drive your excitement or bring you satisfaction when you engage with them. This reflection will provide a strong foundation for identifying passion projects that align with your personal interests.
2. Consider the impact you want to make
Think about the ways you want to contribute to your community, workplace, or even the world. Passion projects often blend personal fulfillment with the desire to create a positive impact. Aligning your project with this purpose can help keep you motivated. I was encouraging people to volunteer for an organization. I told them that my passion was education. All the volunteering I did related to that and I enjoyed it.
3. Start Small and Build Momentum
Begin with bite-sized goals or a simple project to make your idea less overwhelming and more manageable. Taking small, consistent steps helps you gain confidence and refine your vision as you go. The key is to take action, no matter how small, to set your plans in motion. You don’t need it entirely mapped out before you begin, keep evaluating and brainstorming as you go. Sometimes when I am mapping out a project I use Post-It notes. It is very easy to remove, rearrange and add an idea.
4. Experiment with Unfamiliar Areas
Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and try new activities or explore unfamiliar fields. Sometimes passion projects are discovered in unexpected places, leading to personal growth and new skills. Approach this experimentation with an open mind and curiosity to see what new possibilities unfold. A client once said, ” I need to get out of my own way so I can do something new.” For years I have wanted to restart cross-country skiing. This year I participated in an outdoor club. It has scheduled cross-country ski trips every weekend. They do all the planning and I get on the bus and ski.
5. Allocate Dedicated Time for Your Project
Set aside consistent blocks of time in your weekly routine to focus solely on your passion project. Treat this time as non-negotiable, just as you would with a work meeting or family commitment. Regular dedication will help you make steady progress and keep your momentum alive. I can come to a step in my project where I don’t know how to solve a problem and I start procrastinating. Ask for help or keep moving forward and the answer will come to you later.
6. Collaborate With Like-Minded People
Joining groups or communities related to your interests can provide valuable insights and support for your project. Collaboration with others helps you stay inspired and allows you to brainstorm new ideas. It’s also a fantastic way to expand your network and learn from others who share your passions. Their skill set will be different from yours.
7. Leverage Online Resources to Learn
The internet provides a vast array of tools, courses, and forums to help you learn and grow your skill set. Explore free or paid resources that align with your project goals to deepen your expertise. Continuous learning will elevate your project and provide the tools to overcome obstacles.
8. Track Your Progress and Celebrate Wins
Monitoring your milestones, both big and small, can help you stay motivated and see tangible results from your efforts. Use journals, apps, or vision boards to map out your achievements and the steps ahead. Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how minor, as this reinforces positive habits. As I am working on a project I like to remind myself of the progress I have made by listing all the steps I have completed from the start of the project and the present. Then if I had a day where a small amount of progress was made it reminds me of my success.
9. Be Patient and Adapt to Challenges
Keep in mind that building a passion project takes time and persistence. Expect some challenges or changes along the way, and approach them as opportunities to learn and grow. Staying flexible and patient ensures that setbacks don’t derail your progress or enthusiasm. With the right mindset, you can learn something new from any situation. A favourite saying of mine is, even if you fall on your face you are still moving forward.
Fast Action Steps
1. Brainstorm Ideas and Make a List
Spend 15 minutes brainstorming all potential passion project ideas on paper. Focus on ideas that excite you and align with your skills or the impact you want to make. Keep this list handy, as it will become a starting point for deeper exploration. Brainstorm all areas of your life, work, volunteering, community, family, and health.
2. Dedicate Two Hours This Week to Research
Choose one or two ideas from your brainstormed list and research them thoroughly online. Look for resources, tutorials, or role models who have pursued similar projects. This focused time will help you understand the scope and requirements of your chosen ideas.
3. Take a Small Action Towards a Project
Identify the first simple step you can take toward one of your passion projects. It could be setting up a dedicated space, signing up for a course, or buying supplies. Taking this initial action creates momentum and signals your commitment to the idea. You may want to tell a friend about what you are doing. They can help you be accountable to your new project.
Book a virtual chat with me to help you find your passion project.
Harold Taylor award – 1
Julie Stobbe is the 2024-2025 winner of the Harold Taylor Award for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry and Professional Organizers in Canada. As a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach, she brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides, mentors and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
