Hello Google Researchers!  I am looking for assistance in locating
reading materials and other information (such as quizzes or
personalized services)regarding how a person can go about finding
their passion in life.

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Background:  The subject is a male in his late 30's who has spent most
of his life working in the corporate environment.  He has been
successful, but never really happy about what he does on a day to day
basis, either personally or professionally.  He is in a position now
where he is free to pursue almost any goal, dream, or passion that he
may have.  Yet, he is not sure he really knows what his goals, dreams
or passions are.
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I would like your help in finding source material which will enable me
to help this person to identify what he loves in life and, if
possible, also how to begin to pursue those things that he may
identify as passions or goals.

For now, please omit the following from consideration:

- Concerns for money.  I am mostly interested in assisting him to
identify his passions, setting some goals, and getting closer to them.
I am not concerned, for the sake of this question, as to whether these
things can be profitable or turned into a career.  That comes later.

- Concerns for current friends, family, spouse, dependents,
responsibilities, etc.  Again, for the sake of this question, this is
not relevant.  Consider him a clean slate, able to go anywhere or do
anything he wishes.

- Career Quizzes.  He has visited many career websites and taken
several career oriented surveys.  He knows what he is "good at"
professionally, but not what he is "passionate" about.

- Any references to spirituality or religion.  I know that many people
find their passion, dreams and goals based in a belief system.  That
is a very powerful force to have in one's life.  However, for the sake
of this question, I would like you to avoid these types of references
while constructing your answer, including joining any sort of
religious or spiritual organization.

Please note that I am not asking "What is the purpose of life", which
has been asked on GA many times before.

I will be happy to respond to any requests for further clarification. 
Comments from readers are also welcome.  Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 20 Feb 2004 15:15 PST

seeker4444...

Please have a look at my answer to a similar question on this thread:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=225270

Let me know is this satisfies your interests, or if something different
would better serve you.

sublime1-ga

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Clarification of Question by seeker4444-ga on 22 Feb 2004 04:54 PST

Dear Sublime1-ga,

Thank you for your response.  In reviewing your answer to the similar
question asked in the past, you have provided many links to the Avatar
program.  This program seems to be based in Scientology and similar in
methodology to the "Landmark Forum".  In fact, some websites even
refer to the Avatar program as a cult:

http://www.factnet.org/cults/Avatar/Avatar_StarsEdge_HarryPalmer.html
http://www.scientology-kills.org/avatar/mindctrl.htm?FACTNet

I'm afraid this is not the type of response I was looking for.  I
would be open to additional resources by yourself or another
researcher.  I also appreciate the comments added by misterwizard. 
Thank you.

Hello, seeker4444-ga  

 
 Your acquaintance is certainly not alone! If he were, there would not
be so many books and articles written about finding one's passion in
life. My hat is off to you for lending a helping hand!

 The following references should provide some help. I have tried to
stay away from anything regarding religion and tried to focus on
practical advice.

 Let me know if I can provide anything further!


ARTICLES
========== 

An excerpt from an article about retirement, but applicable to life
and career! http://www.retiredlifefun.com/rlf6e.htm

"... Assume your life will end 12 months from tonight," she said.
"Pick out the type of life you want to lead for the next year. Then
select the values you would want to stress, for that year. Then narrow
the list down to the five values you consider most important....."

"Sit down at home, with a pad of paper and a pen, and start making a
list of the things you want in your job. And keep going! Make a list
of at least 200 items you want."

"Why such a big number? Because, she said, you probably will start
your list with material things -- pay, vacations, or other benefits --
and pretty soon you have exhausted your list of such items. Then you
start thinking about quite different things -- congenial boss, good
relations with other employees, support from management for new ideas,
a feeling of accomplishment in your work, and so on."

"And somewhere in this process, you will begin thinking about what you
really want in your job. As you keep thinking about it, and listing
other aspects of the job that you would like, the job for which you
could be "passionate" becomes clearer in your mind."

In short, you are searching for the values that are important to you,
not just "things."

"If you think someone else has a "glamor" job, find out what it is
about that job that appeals to you."

"It is magical what happens when a person sees a wonderful goal that
they know they can achieve. They get passionate about it."

==


"Finding Your Passion - Call it passion, enthusiasm or fire in the
belly--it's what energizes successful entrepreneurs." by Sean M.
Lyden. HomeOfficeMag.com -March 2001
http://www.entrepreneur.com/mag/article/0,1539,287335,00.html

==

Finding Your Calling and Living Your Passion 
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol100/passion.htm

==

Finding your passion (Go through all pages)
http://www.itstime.com/feb2000.htm

==

"Figuring Out What You Want to Do with Your Life," by Dr. Lynn Friedman. 2000.
http://www.dcwebwomen.org/lifeatwork/000303.html

==

"Still Don't Know What You Want To Be "When You Grow Up?" Here Are 3
Ways To Find Out," by Valerie Young.
http://www.reikiwaves.com/articles/article_5.html

==

"Do You Want to Do More With Your Life?" (just a short article with a
bit of insight) http://www.youmeworks.com/doyouwanttodomore.html



BOOKS
=======

I, personally, have read this first book and found it very helpful:

"I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was : How to Discover What
You Really Want and How to Get It," by Barbara Sher. Available on
www.Amazon.com

=

Another book that pools the experts together:

"Finding Your True Calling - The Handbook For People Who Still Don't
Know What They Want To Be When They Grow Up - But Can't Wait To Find
Out!
http://www.changingcourse.com/findcalling.htm

=

See more books:

http://getitdaily.com/ama/viz/0967743702/Discover/Your/Passion/:/An/Intuitive/Search/to/Find/Your/Purpose/in/Life/

=

"The Pathfinder : How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime
of Satisfaction and Success," by Nicholas Lore (Available on
www.amazon.com)

A reader's review:

"I have read close to 30 books on the topic of life/career change, and
"The Pathfinder" is light years ahead of everything I have come
across. Nick Lore provides the most comprehensive program to date to
help people design a career that's right for them (applicable to those
just starting in the job market as well as career-changers). The book
provides a series of structured Inquires to help readers find their
right livelihood as well as guidance for getting into action on making
these plans a reality. Lore serves as a "career coach" who doesn't let
his readers cave into their "yeahbuts" on why they think they can't
achieve their goals. If you are serious about getting the life you
want, "The Pathfinder" is the single best source of guidance to get
you there."

==


WHAT ABOUT A CONSULATION WITH A LIFE COACH?
============================================

Some insight into how life-coach can help
http://www.lifecoach.cwc.net/Life_coaching/life_coaching.html


A 100-question quiz focusing on "all" areas of life (not just career)

"100 ways to measure the quality of your life." Created by Thomas J. Leonard
 http://simple-life-coach.com/quatlityoflife.html


==

 I hope this provides a start. If I can do anything further, please do
not hesitate to ask for clarification.

umiat


Search Strategy
Finding your passion
living the life you want
life coaching
finding out what you want to do in life

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Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 22 Feb 2004 13:02 PST

I also want to ad that there are personal coaches that work via phone
or internet, but they tend to be expensive. Howevever, here is an
example of such a service in case this option is of interest:

http://www.yourpassion.com/new_page_8.htm

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Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 22 Feb 2004 16:01 PST

I'm sorry! The link for the list of "other books" appears that it did
not work when I posted my answer. If that happens with these links,
please simply search for them by name on Amazon.com.

The names of the books that looked interesting were:

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to
Live," by Martha Beck.
http://getitdaily.com/cgi-bin/mrrat.cgi?input_search_type=AsinSearch&input_item=0812932188

"Discover Your Passion : An Intuitive Search to Find Your Purpose in
Life," by: Gail A. Cassidy
http://getitdaily.com/cgi-bin/mrrat.cgi?input_search_type=AsinSearch&input_item=0967743702

"Create A Life That Tickles Your Soul : Finding Peace, Passion, &
Purpose," by Suzanne Zoglio.
http://getitdaily.com/cgi-bin/mrrat.cgi?input_search_type=AsinSearch&input_item=0941668126

Thank you, umiat.  These references will be very helpful!

I would give this person the same advice that was given to me once. I
was told to answer the question, "What are you doing when you lose all
track of time?" For me, the answer was "digital photo editing". I now
restore old photos as a paying hobby and love every minute of it.