What are you passionate about?

You've probably been asked this question before. Whether it's from a teacher, a guidance counselor, an interviewer for that job you've wanted for so long, your friends, it's a tough question to answer.

There are so many things to be passionate about, and it's easy to feel like there's so many issues in the world today, that it's impossible to pick just one direction to go in, one issue to devote your time to. It's easy to feel pulled in a million different directions, especially when you're trying to decide "What do I do with my life?" Your parents will have one opinion. Your teachers will have another. Your friends will try to help you, with the best intentions, but may not truly understand what you're passionate about.

You have your whole life to figure it out. There's no rush to decide everything right now. There's no right or wrong way to live your life, and you have to figure out a lot of it as you go along. Whatever decision you make right now, it's not life or death. Many many people have changed careers very successfully in their lives, as long as they kept their goals in sight. You can too.

For now, think about what you're passionate about. What causes do you strongly support? What are your political views? Do you have strong religious views? What social cause do you love, and what character traits do you like or dislike in other people? This is a starting place, but if you branch out from there, you'll eventually find what you're meant to do.

Now I'm not one of those people who strongly believes in fate, but I do believe that everyone has a job they're meant to do. I'm no expert, but when you find what you love to do, it shouldn't feel like work. That way, you can even take a hobby you have now, or an activism idea you've had to make the world a better place, etc. and translate it into a business type project, or at least something to live on.

Here's the take home message: Don't listen to what others think you should do. It's your life, and it's your decision. Your first decision might even be wrong! But you have all the time to figure out what you want to do to make a difference in the world and communicate with others. No matter how big, or "unrealistic" your plans may seem, you can make it happen.

"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs