Find Your Passion: Unlocking the Path to Success

In today’s uncertain times, it is the perfect moment to reflect on how you have been living your life. This past year has reminded us how delicate and precious life is. Things can change in a heartbeat. We are in difficult times, but many successful people (in life and careers) seize the moment during tough times.

I know many are stuck inside and tired of binge-watching yet another series on Netflix.

Instead of wasting time glued to the TV set, why not take some time to figure out what this new future will bring? It’s time to find your passion and have the best future possible.

Quiet Reflection can Change Lives

At iBestTravel, we have always believed that quiet moments help us transition to the next chapter of our lives. The entire world is forced into a little peace and quiet today, so what better time to ponder what you really want to do with your life?

I always thought great things happened to other people.

I thought that you had to be born into something or you had to know the right people to get ahead. However, that is simply not true. It is never too late to find happiness in life, and it all begins with listening to your heart and following through with your dreams.

To achieve success in all aspects of life, it helps if you know what your passion is.

Discover Your Passion

It took us many years to find our passion and at one point in our lives, we didn’t think we’d ever find it.

We always said to each other:

“I know we could be successful at something, if only we knew what we wanted to do!”

There was a time when I was sure I was going to be stuck in a job I didn’t love. I was always dreaming of someday. When we were working in the film industry in Toronto, we had good jobs – on paper.

We had a house, two cars, and were saving money each month for retirement. We were living a stable middle-class life. However, we thought that was all we were going to get. But that all changed when we made a choice.

• Stop living for someday
• Say Yes and Try New Things
• Surround Yourself with Inspiring People
• Focus on Your Strengths
• Write it Down
• What Are You Naturally Good At
• Find What You Love
• Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
• Take a Social Media Break

Discovering Our Passion

At that time, we didn’t have a passion for anything. We were going through the motions of life, paying bills, going to work, and barely keeping our heads above water. We knew we had purpose and passion within ourselves; we just didn’t know how to tap into it.

We loved each other and were passionate about our relationship. However, as time passed, we lost the zest we once had.

Work, bills, and expectations of what we should have achieved got in the way. We let “the noise” prevent us from finding our true purpose.

Stop Living for Someday

In the back of our minds, we knew that we couldn’t go on living day by day. I couldn’t keep living like this for the next 20 years waiting for retirement. I wanted a life filled with purpose and passion now. Therefore, we decided to take control of our situation and find our purpose.

Believe me, it wasn’t easy. We had been stuck in a rut for so long; we didn’t even know what we liked to do in our spare time anymore.

Say Yes, and Try New Things

Well, when you don’t know what you want, it’s easier than you think to find it. Remember that movie Yes Man with Jim Carrey? He started saying yes to everything, and opportunity came his way. That’s exactly what we did.

We began observing what friends and colleagues were passionate about in their spare time and followed their example.

We ventured out and networked in unfamiliar places. It opened our minds to trying new things and helped us connect with inspiring individuals. This motivated us!

Surround Yourself with Inspiring People

The people above inspire us – (left to right) TravelingMitch, WanderingCarol, JustinPlusLauren

When you meet inspiring people, they inspire you to achieve great things too!

It’s crucial to surround yourself with individuals who uplift you. I used to have friends that brought me down and made me feel small. It seemed that no matter what I did, they would judge me.

Dave had friends who didn’t dream beyond their current circumstances. They spent their time complaining about their lives instead of taking charge.

That wasn’t helping us become our best selves, so we began seeking connections outside of our circle to find motivation.

We made new friends at the rock climbing gym, joined a cycling club, and built relationships with people who inspired us. They reignited our excitement for life.

It is much easier today; you can find groups online to connect with individuals who share your interests.

A simple Google search will reveal groups and clubs tailored to your passions.

Even during self-isolation, you can set up group chats to support one another.

Learn from Others

Instead of judging what others do, learn from them. I am thrilled when I see people trying new things and taking risks.

I used to feel jealousy toward those pursuing their dreams. I would judge them, thinking “Who do they think they are?” Now, I say, “Bravo for knowing what you want!”

Before we discovered what we wanted to do with our lives, we attended various events where people spoke passionately about their interests.

I remember listening to an individual recount his climbing expeditions around the globe. His passion was contagious! Afterward, we thought, “We want to be as excited about life as he is!”

Be Motivated By What Others Have Achieved

After attending several talks, we envisioned ourselves doing public speaking engagements. It was an idea we had never considered before, but witnessing others do it inspired us. But what could we discuss? Our travels consisted mainly of backpacking trips between TV gigs.

So, we brainstormed. Having traveled extensively, we thought we could share stories of the places we’d visited. We then took a leap of faith and contacted our local adventure gear store to see if we could present our travels at one of their events. They invited us to speak, and we loved it. That ignited a spark in us to make speaking part of our future.

Focus on Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses

We always viewed ourselves as Jacks of All Trades and Masters of None. We explored various activities, from Scuba Diving to Orienteering.

Every month, we would try a new hobby before moving on to the next one. Although we felt we had developed an array of mediocre skills, we didn’t excel at any single activity.

We often questioned how we could do something extraordinary without expertise in a particular area.

It was then that we realized having a diverse range of skills and experiences allowed us to become the “go-to” people for advice on adventures suitable for non-athletic individuals.

“Instead of focusing on what we weren’t, we concentrated on what we were.”

We possessed enough skills to undertake adventures worldwide and show others they could too.

We shared our fears and frustrations and detailed our training process while learning about trekking over frozen lakes in the dead of winter or mastering the art of whitewater kayaking.

This relatability encouraged others to embark on their own journeys.

Our diverse skill set ultimately propelled us to become successful travel bloggers.

Write it Down – Make a List

If you don’t know where to start, we recommend jotting it down. With pen and paper, the old-fashioned way. Unsure of what you excel at? Don’t know your direction in life? Start writing.

Write anything. Document your frustrations, childhood dreams, and aspirations for the future.

I’ll never forget driving home from hiking in Niagara Falls and stopping at a Denny’s in a small town for lunch. We felt disheartened because it was Sunday and work awaited us the next day.

So we began writing a life list. Today, many call it a Bucket List. Regardless, it works!

We wrote down everything we had ever dreamed of accomplishing. Nothing was off-limits. All our childhood dreams surfaced. Initially slow, the ideas began to flow freely as we wrote.

Our goals ranged from attending a yoga retreat to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The lengthy list made me realize I hadn’t achieved much in my life and I was determined to change that.

Looking back, I can hardly believe we not only completed everything on that first list but also expanded it further. Sitting in Denny’s, we never imagined we would conquer even a fraction of our dreams, but committing them to paper made them feel more attainable.

And you can too! – Stop what you are doing and start writing now!

What Are You Naturally Good At?

Dave always had a knack for photography, which had been a hobby for years. Little did he know he’d turn it into a profession one day.

Everyone possesses a talent; they just may not recognize it yet. So contemplate what comes naturally to you.

Are you funny? A skillful cook? A good listener? Do you enjoy giving advice? Are you active in the gym or a keen reader? Everyone has a talent that could inspire others or evolve into a business.

Who would have thought that someone could provide make-up tips online and achieve immense success? Had I embraced my passion for make-up during my time as a TV artist, I might have initiated a YouTube channel for beauty advice.

For instance, my love for reading might have led me to become a book reviewer had I not traversed the path of travel blogging. The possibilities are limitless.

What can you contribute to this world to inspire or assist others?

Find What You Love

How often have you heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life.”

I heard that many times and thought, “Yeah right, nobody loves their work.” Only a few fortunate individuals, like celebrities, seem to genuinely love what they do.

It felt implausible, almost like a whimsical notion propagated by self-help authors. But then, I discovered something I loved, and suddenly it all made sense.

I don’t believe Dave and I have ever worked harder in our lives, but every day feels like summer camp. We adore what we do.

I cannot believe I Am Living My Daydream.

I used to fantasize about sipping coffee while writing like a true author. I often mused how incredible it would be to write for a living.

I never truly believed it would come to fruition, but here I am today. Now that we have uncovered our passion, we do not envision a future of waiting for retirement. We hope our careers never end.

If we have to work for the rest of our lives to pay the bills, we will.

Even now with an uncertain future, we are considering how to pivot our business.

We understand that change is imminent, but we are ready to seize life and forge ahead.

Even Steve Jobs experienced significant setbacks once. He was ousted from his own company, yet he persevered and ultimately regained his success.

Since we love what we do, we’ll continue no matter our circumstances.

If we had millions, we’d still work on the blog, create videos, and capture photography as we are passionate about it!

In the face of failure, we know our goals and dreams will propel us forward.

And that’s your mission this week: to Find Your Daydream.

Reflect on what you daydream about during quiet moments at work or while doing household chores. What is your ultimate daydream in life?

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

People often waste too much time fixating on others’ achievements. I know I was guilty of this. I frequently compared my friends’ successes with my shortcomings, becoming so preoccupied with others that I neglected my own progress.

A friend in college once prompted me to reevaluate my perspective. I was envious of a classmate who won the role of Fantine in the Toronto Mirvish production of Les Miserables. My friend Deanna quipped, “Deb, can’t you be happy for her and find inspiration in her success, knowing it could happen for you too?” I didn’t heed her advice right then. It took almost a decade for those words to resonate with me.

Once I shifted my focus from what I lacked to what I could achieve, my life took a positive turn. When I began celebrating others’ accomplishments, wonderful opportunities arose for me as well.

Take a Social Media Break

I highly advise minimizing time on platforms like Facebook when pursuing your passion. Social media can drain your energy. You can easily get sucked into a vortex of scrolling. (It’s especially challenging during these times). This habit not only consumes time but can undermine your self-worth as you compare yourself to others.

Instead of browsing endlessly on Facebook, it’s better to connect with friends in person. During this crisis, engage in online chats with pals. Join inspiring communities to interact with like-minded individuals.

We’ve seen our industry organize chat sessions and brainstorming groups, and many individuals are making the most of their circumstances.

While social media plays a role in our travel blogging careers, we don’t engage for leisure. We prefer personal connections and leverage social media primarily for promotion.

When we utilize social platforms, we focus on interacting with peers and providing mutual support.

Never Give Up

It is heartening to identify your purpose, and I’m grateful that we never ceased our search. Deep down, we always recognized something was amiss, so we kept seeking our passion and our motivation to rise each morning.

You are never too old, and it is never too late to discover your purpose and realize success.

In fact, achieving success later in life can be particularly rewarding. It allows you to appreciate it more and, as you understand yourself better, you grow comfortable with your achievements.

One common misconception is believing it’s too late. Many fear they’ve missed their chance at realizing their dreams.

I remember yearning to be a singer in my youth. At 25, I felt I had failed because I wasn’t Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera. I thought my opportunities had vanished.

Believing I was too old to make it in music, I opted for a stable career that paid well and resigned myself to a conventional life. I proceeded to work in the film industry as a make-up artist for the next ten years, earning a good income while feeling utterly unsatisfied. I’m thankful I rediscovered my quest for passion.

Happiness Takes Work

We were all placed on this earth with the knowledge that it will eventually end, a heavy truth to bear. I recall reading the Dalai Lama’s Art of Happiness, where he stated, ‘happiness is a choice.’

Choosing to be happy requires consistent effort each day. (I am paraphrasing, but that is the essence I took from it)

Every day in life is hard… even for those who are successful

Everyone grapples with fears, insecurities, and moments of doubt. However, when we reflect on where we aspire to be and what we want from each day of our lives, we can find solace.

When you are passionate about something, you will relentlessly work toward its success, no matter the obstacles in your path.

Success varies for everyone.

For some, it could mean residing in a Malibu mansion, while for others, it may involve nurturing a loving family. Others may dedicate their lives to giving back, while some simply wish to lead a happy life and inspire others to take chances and pursue their dreams.

There is room for everyone and everyone’s definition of success.

I can’t dictate your goals or where you wish to be in life, but I am confident that if you’re passionate about something and can’t imagine life without it, that’s what you should pursue.

Business is Pleasure

I have heard numerous individuals argue against merging hobbies with professional endeavors. We, however, contest that perspective. I reflect on all the successful figures I’ve encountered who cherish their work and have transformed those passions into careers.

In every interview I’ve seen with Slash of Guns N’ Roses, he’s always seen with a guitar in hand.

I am convinced that Jeff Bezos loves his work, which is why even with extensive wealth, he persists in pursuing creative and innovative ideas.

Tom Cruise thrives on pushing the boundaries of innovation through performing his own stunts. Furthermore, The Rolling Stones will never cease performing because they are passionate about being on stage!

Our love for travel and adventure seamlessly intertwines with our career. Does this label us as obsessed workaholics? I believe not.

Do What You Love

When you are passionate about your endeavors, it becomes easy to invest hard work, enduring long hours, and overcoming frustrating moments. Sure, we have interests beyond travel blogging, but travel has been our passion long before we embarked on this blogging journey.

Currently, we are not only happy to engage in activities we love daily, but we also have the privilege of earning a living from them.

While we are presently at home, we are reflecting on the next phase of our lives. During this period of confinement, it is the perfect opportunity to map out a plan for the future.

Have we sparked some ideas on achieving success and strategizing for a new future?