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7. Narrow things down. I recommend that you pick 3-5things from your list, if it’s longer than that, and do steps 5 &6 with them. This could take month, or perhaps you’ve alreadylearned about and tried them all out. So now here’s what you“Choose a job you love, and youwill never have to work a day inyour life.” – Confuciusneed to ask yourself: which gets you the most excited? Whichof these can produce something that people will pay for or getexcited about? Which can you see yourself doing for years (evenif it’s not a traditional career path)? Pick one, or two at themost, and focus on that. You’re going to do the next three stepswith it: banish your fears, find the time, and make it into acareer if possible. If it doesn’t work out, you can try the nextthing on your list there’s no shame in giving something a shotand failing, because it’ll teach you valuable lessons that will helpyou to be successful in the next attempt.8. Banish your fears. This is the biggest obstacle for mostpeople – self-doubt and fear of failure. You’re going to face itand banish it. First, acknowledge it rather than ignoring ordenying it. Second, write it down, to externalize it. Third, feelit, and be OK with having it. Fourth, ask yourself, “What’s theworst that can happen?” Usually it’s not catastrophic. Fifth,prepare yourself for doing it anyway, and then do it. Take smallsteps, as tiny as possible, and forget about what might happen –focus on what actually is happening, right now. And then celebrateyour success, no matter how small.9. Find the time. Don’t have the time to pursue thispassion? Make the time, dammit! If this is a priority, you’llmake the time – rearrange your life until you have the time.This might mean waking earlier, or doing it after work orduring lunch, or on weekends. It will probably mean cancelingsome commitments, simplifying your work routing or doing alot of work in advance (like you’re going on a vacation). Dowhat it takes.10. How to make a living doing it. This doesn’t happenovernight. You need to do something, get good at it, be passionateabout it. This could take months or years, but if you’rehaving fun, that’s what’s most important. When you get to thepoint where someone would pay you for it, then you’regolden – there are many ways to make a living at that point,including doing freelance or consulting work, making informationproducts such as ebooks, writing a blog and selling advertising.In fact, I recommend you do a blog if you’re notalready – it’ll help solidify your thinking, build a reputation,find people who are interested in what you do, demonstrateyour knowledge and passion.I told you this wouldn’t be easy. It’ll require a lot of reflectionand soul-searching, at first, then a lot of courage and learningand experimentation, and finally a lot of commitment.But it’s all worth it – every second, every ounce of courageand effort. Because in the end, you’ll have something that willtransform your life in so many ways, will give you that reasonto jump out of bed, will make you happy no matter how muchyou make.I hope you follow this guide and find success, because Iwish on you nothing less than finding your true passion. aAbout the AuthorLeo Babauta is married with sixkids, he lives in San Francisco, he is awriter and a runner and a vegetarian,and the owner of Zen Habits. He alsois the author of a new best-sellingbook, “The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourselfto the Essentials … in Work and in Life.“ If you want ZenHabits’ philosophy in a handy little volume, please buythe book.Zen Habits is one of the Top 100 blogs on the Internet,and covers: achieving goals, productivity, beingorganized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving,getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, livingfrugal, parenting, happiness, and successfullyimplementing good habits.www.zenhabits.netJanuary/February 2011POND Trade Magazine39