I’ve always had a certain handful of things that just come easy for me. I’ve always gotten good grades in school, and still get mostly A’s and B’s. (I’m a college junior, and only have gotten one C so far… &^%$ microeconomics.) I love reading, and have to be very good to not blow a ton of money on books. I’d like to think I have a nice sense of style, when it comes to clothes and my writing. And I’ve done a decent job of raising my precious angelfish so far.
However, there are the things that I’m naturally good at, then there are the things I want to be good at.
Identifying passions.
While I thoroughly enjoy school, it’s far from being a passion. For me, my passions let me creatively express myself. It can be in a way that some people just don’t get, but there are those who I can reach doing what I really, really enjoy.
It was somewhat hard for me to admit that having a passion for something doesn’t mean you’re automatically good at it. I always like having a “knack” for things, it makes me feel good when I get complimented early on in an attempt to do something. More so, I have to feel that I’m good at it too, otherwise I think the compliments are unjustified and wonder why I’m getting them.
Focus heavily on what you like.
For me, my passions are writing, photography and cars, pretty much all mixed together.
I love writing, and have enjoyed writing since I was told I was good at it in fourth grade. I went to a writer’s workshop while in elementary school, and won a classroom writing contest in middle school. High school saw my writing drop off, but I still wrote some killer papers. It wasn’t until I discovered the blogosphere that I really picked it up again, and in 2008 I launched my first blog. Now, I try to write on a regular basis, which is helped by a blog with a regular posting schedule. (This one!)
Photography is my budding enjoyment, I just need to get over the feeling weird when I pull out my camera for just about EVERYTHING. See a cool car in a parking lot? Picture! See a friend’s cool car? Picture! See a bunch of cool cars in the same place? Picture! Horrible looking car good for laughs? Picture! I very much so regret not taking more pictures when I was on holiday in England to visit my husband, so I’m trying to remind myself that my pictures are worth more to me than the weird looks I probably won’t even get. I forget people are too busy with their lives to worry about me most of the time.
And cars. What can I say about this? It’s what occupies my thinking just about every waking moment. I love reading about cars. I love writing about cars. I love taking pictures of cars. I love seeing what other people are reading, writing and photographing when it comes to cars. I swear that I only go to my job anymore to get money to put towards my cars…. You’d be surprised how many days that can be true!
Whatcha really want?
As an aspiring financial planner, I have one question that is often on my mind, “What do you want?” It’s important to keep asking yourself that, every day, week, month and year. If you lose sight of what you want, there’s no hope in ever getting it…
However, if you know what you want, you’re free to go after it. Plan for success. If you ever find yourself following a path that won’t take you closer to achieving your goals, redirect as soon as you can. It is worth chasing those dreams, despite what some may say. Keep plenty of success stories in mind, they’ll come in handy when you need to filter out the negative.
Celebrate your achievements!
My favorite part of goal setting: The awesome feeling when you achieve a goal! It’s addicting, which is definitely a good thing.
I love my Miata, and we do get many compliments… But usually only from other Miata owners. It’s easier for them to understand the car as a whole, and they’re also well aware of her potential. Until she’s turbo-charged, though, we probably won’t get much attention from the car-community as a whole.
Enter my 240SX. She’s collecting compliments and interest left and right… From all sorts of people, those who like them, those who have built them and those also working on one. While I’ve had a car domain account for a while, it wasn’t until my 240SX that I got a fair bit of attention…
The side effect?
A boost of confidence.
It lets me know that I’m on the right track. I’m not exactly actively chasing recognition with the Silvia right now, I’m way more into her build progress than worrying about who’s paying attention to us at the moment. However, it’s coming anyhow. I’m finally getting some recognition as a female tuner, and all I had to do was further my car addiction with a project I just couldn’t pass up.
Not only is the attention a confidence boost, but the knowledge that I’ve gained is great. I can actively join conversations about just about any part of a car and follow along, as well as hold my own. I wasn’t good with cars when I got into it, but my passion fueled a love of learning… So it was easy to progress.
My conclusion:
Having things you’re passionate about is very important to your well-being. Participating in them as much as you can may increase your sense of well-being and fulfillment, along with keeping life interesting.
I’ve really never had a bunch of self-confidence. With my cars, though, I’m confident when I talk to people about them. I’m confident that I won’t end up in a conversation I can’t follow. And I’m confident that, for the first time in my life, I may have a shot at proving just how awesome I can be… On my own.
Really, my cars are my life… Or just the sole reason why life can seem just so, so good most of the time.
No related posts.
I really like this post. In general I just love hearing about anything someone can talk passionately about. And I think a lack of focused passion in my own life is a thorn in my side. I have so many interests, but I really want to find one thing I can pour myself into.
I know the feeling, that was me before I found cars. Someday, I’m hoping to have it to where I can freely indulge in my hobby without worrying about money or time, and maybe even get paid from some parts of it. (Like writing & photography, which I work on when I can!) When you find what makes you happy, the journey’s all worth it!
You’re so right, and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating when your passions and talents don’t match up. I get a huge kick out of playing guitar, but I’ll never be amazing. I’m also into cooking and photography, but am not particularly good at either. But does it really matter, as long as you enjoy yourself?
I was worried about that when I started racing… I tend to give up quickly on things I don’t feel that I have “talent” for. Most days, I still feel like I’m no good at it. The compliments from others help to keep me go, just as comments here and on Flickr make the effort worth it to me. I wanted to go and race, so I did. I wanted to take pictures and share them, so I do. I also wanted to write things and share them with whoever was interested, and I get to. I do them all simply because it’s what I enjoy.
I don’t think it matters much, unless it’s what you’d want to get paid for. Even then, if you really want it bad enough, you can find a way to include your passions in your paid work… I’m hoping to at least do that, if not really get paid for what I enjoy the most. Freelancing sounds like it’d be a great fit not only for my personality, but for my military-induced semi-nomadic lifestyle.