When Sarah graduated with a business degree, she expected her career path to click into place like a puzzle. Instead, she found herself staring at job boards, paralyzed by options. “Follow your heart!” everyone said. But her heart whispered too quietly beneath the noise of student loans, societal expectations, and the fear of making the “wrong” choice.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, uncovering your career passion isn’t about waiting for a divine sign—it’s about asking better questions.

The Problem with “What Do You Love?”

Sarah spent months journaling answers to the classic question: “What are you passionate about?” The result? A list of vague ideals like “helping people” and “being creative.”

Then she stumbled on a game-changing idea from career coach Jamie Lee:

“Passion isn’t a noun—it’s a verb. Stop chasing a thing, and start noticing what activities ignite your curiosity.”

3 Unconventional Questions That Changed Everything

1. “What Problems Do You Enjoy Solving?”

Sarah realized she lit up when fixing Excel errors for friends. Not glamorous, but telling.

• Action: List tasks you volunteer to do, even if they seem mundane.

• Example: Organizing chaos, debugging tech issues, mediating conflicts.

2. “When Do You Forget to Check the Clock?”

For Sarah, it was analyzing survey data for a volunteer project. For you, it might be designing logos or explaining complex topics.

• Tip: Track your time for a week. Note moments of “flow.”

3. “What Would You Do If No One Judged You?”

This question bypasses fear. Sarah admitted she’d teach budgeting workshops—something she’d dismissed as “too niche.”

• Try This: Write down 10 wild ideas. Circle the one that excites and terrifies you.

Sarah’s “Aha” Moment: From Spreadsheets to Solutions

Sarah’s answers pointed to a pattern: she loved turning chaos into order and empowering others with data. She didn’t need to “follow her heart”—she needed to follow her curiosity.

She enrolled in a free data visualization course (Coursera), started a blog breaking down personal finance trends, and landed a role as a financial literacy coordinator.

How to Start Your Own Discovery Journey

1. The “5-Minute Experiment”: Dedicate 5 minutes daily to exploring a curiosity (e.g., watch a YouTube tutorial, sketch a business idea).

2. Talk to Strangers: Ask professionals in fields you’re eyeing: “What’s the most frustrating part of your job?” (Realistic insights > glossy job descriptions.)

3. Embrace “Beginner’s Mind”: Take a low-stakes class (local community center, Skillshare) to test interests without pressure.

Why This Works

Passion isn’t found—it’s built. By focusing on small, actionable clues (not grand revelations), you remove the pressure to “have it all figured out.”

Conclusion: Your Passion Is Hiding in Plain Sight
Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Your career passion isn’t a hidden treasure—it’s scattered in the moments you lose track of time, the problems you want to solve, and the skills you’d use even if no one paid you.

So, grab a notebook (or your phone’s Notes app) and start asking better questions. Your future self will thank you.