Success does not lie in achieving the goal - in fact a goal must fill you with positive emotions when you think about it. This exercise is meant to help you focus on what you do best. When you focus on your natural gifts you find the satisfaction and fulfillment you’ve been seeking.

What did you love doing when you were aged 7 to 9? If you can't remember, ask family members or others who were around then.

There are a number of ways to reconnect with your passions. You only need to pay attention to the clues that surround you each day. Consider these examples:

	Books — Take a moment and check out your bookcase. Whether you read fiction or nonfiction, books will provide you with many clues about what inspires you most. As you look over the books, do you notice any common subjects or themes? Which books are your all-time favorites? Why?
	News — There are times when stories in newspapers or magazines will inspire the pursuit of a passion. For example, you may read the story of a misfortune that pulls at your heartstrings or a triumph that gives you a renewed sense of hope. Are there certain sections of the paper that you turn to first, or certain magazines that you always read? Look for patterns...
	Movies — What movies have inspired you? Are there certain movies that you watch over and over again? Why? Once again, look for common themes.
	Passionate People — Who are the passionate people in your life? Passion can be contagious! When you're in the company of someone who is totally consumed by something they feel passionate about, it's easier to connect with your own passionate thoughts or visions. I recently had this experience when I had the pleasure of seeing Tina Turner in concert. As I watched her dance and sing like she was twenty-five, I reconnected with my own love of movement and music. Her powerful presence gave me an enormous amount of inspiration to engage in these activities. Is there someone you can think of, right now, who inspires your passion?
	Service — Have you overcome a major challenge in your life? Could you use this knowledge and experience to serve others? Being there for those in need can be a powerful way to experience passion.

Passion comes in many forms. It provides us with keys to our heart. Whether it's a beautiful sunset, a theater performance or the laughter of a child, you'll want to identify things that go right to your emotional core. The power of passion will provide you with the fuel to enjoy a new hobby, create a new career, and do something that serves others in a very powerful way.

Take Action Challenge

This week, create a "passion page" in your journal. Start to identify things that move you most in a powerful way. Write about stories that inspire you, books that have been influential, or people whom you admire. As you keep track of these clues, you'll find they lead you to *your* passionate pursuits.