Do you ever ask yourself this?

I mean really…. “What AM I passionate about?”

Mostly the talk track goes…

“I’m done.”

“I can’t take it.”

“Not one more day…”

“I’m not bounding out of bed for this.”

“I don’t respect my boss.”

“I am losing respect for myself.”

“I have no passion.”

Do you see yourself here?

It’s a natural phase of life – especially for women in their 40’s and 50’s. But I would venture that there’s an 80 percent chance that you are not busting a move. Why?

“I don’t know what my passion is.”

It almost feels like a defect. (Everyone has one, right? So why can’t I find mine?) … But it’s not. You are not born with an automatic pilot that leads you to your destiny. For most of us life is a journey full of twists and turns and decisions and experiences – some good, some not so good. We’ve sacrificed, put others first, settled for 80 cents on the dollar and been passed up for promotions.

We eventually earned the big paycheck. Bought the house. Bought the car. Wore the dress. But in the end, did that fulfill some deeply rooted desire? Likely not.

For the last 50 years women have fought to be “equal” to men. To be paid equally. To be given equal opportunities. Striving and competition have little to do with passion and more to do with proving your worth.

We are a generation of “not good enoughs.”

I’m not good enough for unconditional, soul-rocking love. Not good enough to be successful doing something I love.

WRONG. WRONG. WRONG.

I have dozens of conversations with women every month and the simple question, “Where do you want to be a year from now.” Brings most to tears.

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about what I want.” I know love. But all that is about to change… now is your time.

How do you find your passion?

First, know that you are deserving. Know that it’s ok to feel good, have fun, and enjoy life. (If that feels hard for you, call me now.)

Second, stop stuffing your gorgeous round, feminine, passionate peg into square spaces meant for men. Allow yourself to feel into what you want to be, have and do.

If you don’t have the specifics, go general. “What gives me joy?” “How do I want to spend my days?” “What do I do that lights me and others up?” “How much money do I really want? (hint: it might be more, but it also might be less than you earn now.)

When I decided that my time in the corporate world was complete, I had no idea I would be writing to you today. I wasn’t born a coach. I had no deep desire to share wisdom, run retreats, teach program and counsel one-on-one.

I thought about my lifestyle.

After being the mom who missed all the soccer games, parent-teacher conferences and school performances, I wanted to be here for my son as he entered high school.

Being newly single, I also wanted to focus on me for the first time. I wanted to get healthy, make time for exercise, learn how to date again and meet interesting men.

I couldn’t do all of that and maintain my corporate commitment and travel.

“What’s my passion?” I asked.

The answers didn’t come from putting together a resume and shopping around for a new job.

The answer came from asking questions, looking within, and getting quiet enough hear the answers. Okay, so that was the easy part.

Then came taking inspired action. With listening and understanding what your passion is comes a commitment to following through – pushing past resistance and taking inspired steps – one by one – to build momentum.

In a year’s time – heck even six months from now – you may be in a very different place than you are right now.

Take time to ask yourself… “What’s my passion? Where do I want to be a year from now? Where do I want to be living? What am I doing? Who am I with? How do I feel?”

That’s how you find your passion. It’s not something you discover by turning over rocks, hiring a career counselor or trying on different opportunities. You are the creatrix of your destiny. Take control. All you want is already here…

What’s your passion?  Post in the comments below.

And if that answer is eluding you, maybe it’s time for Your Great Do-Over – in just three days on retreat, you can emerge with passion in hand and maybe even a plan that gets you there. Learn more here.

Love,