By: Valerie Grubb, MBA’01

When I was a child, I used to write story after story for my parents (and anyone else who would read them). Somewhere along the road to adulthood, my passion for writing was lost. Or should I say, it was merely dormant as I’ve found my passion again while writing my blog and have maintained it for nearly five years now.

I’m guessing you’ve got a passion beyond your day-to-day that’s longing to burst forth. The challenge is how to focus on your passion when deadlines loom both in the office and outside. What’s on your list that never sees the light of progress? (That’s your passion list, not your laundry list). Now is the time to take your first steps towards what you want to accomplish in your life. To get started:

• Complete a career-oriented worksheet to help you uncover and explore your long-dormant passion.
• Figure out how to work in progress every week. This can be as simple as carving out 30 minutes of time to contemplate, research, plan and actively pursue your passion. Problems with time management? Read this article from the Mayo Clinic:
  Tips to Reduce Stress and Improve Productivity
• In a study sponsored by the Ford Foundation, 67% of people generally know what they want but don’t have any plans on how to get it. Lay out a simple plan on paper, which will keep you on track when other responsibilities tug at your time. Keep your plan in close reach – so you’re reminded of it every day. Consider using a SMART goals worksheet to help you define your goals and timeframe.

Get started now, before another two months go by and you realize your passion is still, or once again, dormant!