Why is ‘Loving What You Do’ Important?
In a recent TED Talk, educator Richard St. John shared why passion plays a key role in finding career success.
He explained that successful people don’t just work hard—they love what they do, which drives them to go above and beyond. To back this up, he surveyed young adults aged 18-25 and found that 80% listed “becoming rich” as one of their top life goals. However, when he spoke to millionaires, none of them started out with the goal of getting rich.
So, what’s the lesson? St. John says that if you focus on doing something you love, the rest—like working hard and staying motivated—comes naturally. As he puts it, “It’s amazing what you can do if you love what you do.”
As a parent, helping your child discover what they love can be the first step toward building a fulfilling career, but how can you guide them to explore their passions and find something they’ll love doing for years to come?
How to Help Your Child Find Their Career Passion
Some kids might know exactly what they want to be “when they grow up,” but many don’t—and that’s okay! Most adults are still discovering their true passions. If your child is unsure, here are some practical steps to guide them:
- Ask about their favorite school subjects or activities: Take time to ask your child what they enjoy most in school, whether it’s certain subjects like math, science, or art, or activities like sports, music, or drama. This helps you gain insight into what excites them and where their natural interests lie. Kids also reveal what excites them by asking questions or showing interest in particular topics outside the classroom. For example, if they frequently ask about space or the human body, those could indicate a budding interest in science or healthcare.
- Provide opportunities for them to explore subjects they enjoy more deeply: Once you identify areas of interest, encourage your child to explore these subjects outside of school. This might involve visiting museums, watching documentaries, or reading books on topics that spark curiosity.
- Let them try new hobbies, classes, or experiences to uncover hidden interests: Even if your child hasn’t found their passion yet, encourage them to try a variety of activities. Whether it’s enrolling in a cooking class, joining a sports league, or trying out coding, exposure to different experiences can uncover hidden talents or interests.
By encouraging curiosity and exploration, you can help your child discover passions that inspire their future career journey.
How to Encourage Your Kids to Follow Their Passion
Helping your child find their passion doesn’t have to be a serious or stressful task. In fact, it can be a fun and exciting journey! You can help your child discover what they truly enjoy by exploring different creative activities together and encouraging open-mindedness. Here’s a simple guide to engaging your child in ways that spark curiosity and passion.
1. Do Creative Activities Together
One of the best ways to connect with your child while also helping them discover what excites them is through creative activities. These hands-on experiences allow them to learn, explore, and experiment in a relaxed setting. You can work together on projects or visit places related to their interests. For example:
- If they dream of being an astronaut, take them to a science center or planetarium. You can explore exhibits on space, watch shows about the stars, or even try out interactive exhibits where they can learn more about the universe.
- If they’re interested in animals, consider visiting a zoo, aquarium, or animal shelter where they can learn more about different species and the work that goes into caring for animals.
- If they love art, sit down with them to create something, whether it’s painting, building sculptures with clay, or even crafting DIY projects at home.
By participating in these activities together, you show them that learning can be exciting and full of possibilities. These moments of shared discovery will strengthen your bond and open doors to interests they might not have explored before.
2. Expose Them to Different Experiences
Sometimes, children still need to learn what they love because they have yet to have the chance to try enough activities. The more they explore, the easier it will be for them to find what sparks their passion. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Enroll them in dance classes: If they like moving around and expressing themselves, dance can help them build confidence and improve coordination.
- Try sports like soccer or basketball: Physical activities help children build teamwork skills and improve their physical fitness. These can also help your child develop focus and discipline.
- Creative hobbies like painting, knitting, or Lego clubs: These activities allow children to express their creativity while developing patience and problem-solving skills.
- STEM-focused activities like space or coding clubs: If your child shows interest in how things work or solving problems, these activities will help them build critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Music lessons or language classes: If they have an interest in sounds, rhythm, or languages, you can try introducing them to music or language classes to expand their horizons.
If they lose interest in one activity, it’s perfectly okay! Let them try something else. The key is giving them the opportunity to explore a range of experiences so they can find what excites them the most.
3. Create Opportunities for Community Involvement
If you need help finding local programs related to your child’s interests, consider starting one yourself. Community involvement is a great way for children to connect with others who share similar passions. It also allows them to see the real-world application of their interests.
Here’s how you can help:
- Start a club or gathering: If there’s no local club for something they enjoy, such as a Lego building group or a kids’ coding club, you could organize one yourself. This encourages your child’s passion and helps them meet other like-minded peers.
- Join online groups or communities: For interests that may not have local options, online communities can be a great way for your child to interact with others who share the same passion. For example, coding forums, art communities, or sports discussion groups.
Being part of a community boosts your child’s enthusiasm and provides opportunities for them to learn from others. It also helps build friendships, which can encourage your child to keep pursuing what they love.
4. Encourage Perseverance, But Be Flexible
One of the most important things you can teach your child is that it’s okay to try things, fail, and then try again. Passion sometimes takes time, and they may need to explore several options before finding something they love.
It’s essential to teach them the value of perseverance and remind them that it’s okay to change paths if something doesn’t feel right. Here’s how to balance commitment with flexibility:
- Teach them the importance of sticking with something: Help them understand that mastery takes time and effort and giving activities a fair try is important. Whether it’s a sport or a hobby, the key is showing up and putting in the effort.
- Support their decision to switch paths: If they start an activity and realize it’s not the right fit, that’s perfectly okay! Encourage them to be open-minded and try something else. Help them see that sometimes changing directions can lead to discovering something even more exciting.
It is crucial to create an environment where your child feels comfortable trying new things without the pressure of sticking with something they no longer enjoy. This helps them feel empowered and confident in their choices.
No matter what path your child seems interested in, try to find a creative approach to helping them pursue their interests and promote their passion.
Inspire your child to turn curiosity into passion! Discover resources and expert tutors at School Is Easy to help unlock their potential and build a path to a fulfilling future. Contact us today for more information!
