One of the most common questions that people ask me is how to figure out where to start when they have so many passions and interests. It can be overwhelming when you have a million ideas, and it feels like you’re always changing your mind. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Everyone’s situation and journey is unique, and what works for someone else may not work for you. If multiple business ideas are keeping you stuck, you’re going to love today’s post.

The question l get often looks something like this :

Hi Karen, My goal is to quit my demanding stressful job so that I can be home to raise my kids. But, I have so many ideas of things I want to do. The problem is, it’s always changing. It seems like I get excited about something new and different every single week or every month but I haven’t actually acted on any of it. I haven’t moved the needle at all. How do I figure out where I should start? How do I know which one to choose first? Everyone says to find your passion but honestly I can see myself doing all of them.

Some of us dream of leaving our hectic jobs to spend more time with our family. But let’s be honest, it can be overwhelming when we have a million ideas and passions that keep changing. It’s normal to feel unsure about which path to take when we have so many interests.

Why You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out

I’d like to share a conversation I had with a recent client, who I’ll refer to as Julie (to protect her privacy), that unfolded in a simple but truly special way for her. In sharing this conversation, I hope it unlocks something for you, if you find yourself feeling stuck with too many business ideas to pivot your 9-5.

Julie, a highly skilled project manager in New York, had been contemplating her career for some time. Despite being great at her job, the stress and demands were taking a toll on her life and family. While she wasn’t quite at the point of quitting, she realized that her current career path couldn’t offer the life she desired for herself and her daughters. Hence, she reached out to me for help, feeling both a sense of urgency and confidence to make a change.

As we discussed her situation, Julie also revealed that she didn’t have any other financial support or emergency funds to fall back on, making quitting her job without a viable business idea a risky move. This was an aspect she hadn’t considered before our conversation, and it helped us explore more practical options for her.

First Rule of High Performance Living, Finding Clarity

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut and unsure about which path to take in life? Do you have so many passions and interests that you find it difficult to choose just one? Many of us can relate to Julie’s struggle and the pressure to find that one true calling. But what if we told you that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one passion or career path? It’s possible to pursue your interests and have a fulfilling life. Let’s explore how.

First step, gain clarity

Take some time to reflect on what makes you happy and energizes you. Think about what activities you enjoy doing in your free time, what topics you enjoy reading about, and what kind of work gives you a sense of purpose. When you imagine yourself ten years from now, what do you see yourself doing? These questions can help you gain a better understanding of your passions and interests.

The next step is to explore all of your ideas. Don’t limit yourself to just one path. One career. One stream of income. Embrace your multi-passionate nature and pursue as many interests as you desire, (here’s the important part) just not all at once. It’s important to prioritize and focus on one thing at a time. Start with one interest and see where it takes you.

If having too many business ideas is keeping you stuck, you can rest easy knowing you can love and want them all. You can test them out with your family and friends, pilot them, launch a beta offer and see how well it does. Have fun with it!

Ask for Help

One of the worst things you can do is go at it alone. There are so many other people out there trying to do similar things if not exactly the same. Find them. Support each other.

Make this next phase of your life more fun and enjoyable than your last one.

It’s totally okay to seek guidance and help from mentors, coaches, or professionals in your desired field. They can give you a ton of valuable insight and support. Also, a quick search online and you’ll find just about all the evidence you need on how to turn your hobby into a career. If there’s something I learned about working with high-achievers it’s that they know how critical it is to have a supportive network. They surround themselves with like minded people who hold each other up.

A Life of Service

Another thing I learned in working with high achievers is that over time, once you reach a certain level of financial stability in you life, you tend to seek career paths that bring more sense of purpose and meaning. So it’s something to consider. If you’re looking to leave a positive impact on the world or create a lasting legacy, you may want to consider choosing a more service-oriented career.

Julie, for example, wanted a more flexible and fulfilling lifestyle. It was less about impact and more about a lifestyle that allowed her to spend more time with her girls and express her creativity.

Remember, finding your thing is not a one-time event, but a journey that involves making mistakes, trying new things, and pivoting when necessary. Reflect on what makes you happy and energized. Embrace your multi-passionate nature and focus on one interest at a time. You’ll gain more clarity as you take action towards your goals. Get in motion.

The Elephant In The Room

In coaching what we are often looking for is – the thing behind the thing. Julie has so many creative ideas and interests that when I dug deeper about which one she felt the most passionate about and wanted in her life (funny enough) she already knew the answer.

It was, all of them!

She could describe her ideal life in vivid detail. Where she lived. How she would spend her days. The work that lit her up. So what really was the problem? Let’s talk about something that holds many of us back – fear. Fear of failure, fear of not being enough, fear of the unknown, fear of picking the wrong thing. It can be crippling.

Although Julie appeared to be very confident, what she didn’t realize is that fear was keeping her stuck. The fear of making the wrong choice would mean she couldn’t pay her bills and keep the lights on. Fear that she would struggle to take care of her family and have to go asking for her job back. Fear that she would look stupid if she failed. A belief that if she did become successful, her family and her friends would treat her differently. This is where the real internal work begins for Julie. Where most people often stay stuck. This is where coaching becomes a magical process of transformation.

Attitude of Gratitude

It’s pretty incredible how a small shift in perspective could change someones life. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face but I truly believe that when you ask better questions, you simply get better answers. I asked Julie, what do you love about your current job? Exploring this more opened the door to a lot of heartfelt gratitude, experiences, and growth this career had given her.

She smiled.

Her shoulders dropped and suddenly she felt lighter. There was a shift in her energy.

What-if your job funded your dream? What-if your job actually became the bridge to get to the life you want for you and your family? What would happen if, everyday, you intentionally focused on how good you were at your job, the people you worked with, and all the things you appreciated about it?

How might that shift take the edge off? How might it open you up to play and test new business ideas?

Energy is Everything

Julie’s situation could’ve gone one of three ways.

One// The first path is marked by stress, overwhelm, and frantic energy as she tries to figure out the “right” next move. Ironically, this approach can lead to feeling stuck and paralyzed with fear, often disguised as overthinking or analysis paralysis.

Two// The second path may seem more tempting, offering the temptation of instant gratification. She may impatiently choose one thing, quit her job, and launch her new business with stress and potential burnout, all in desperation to bring in money as quickly as possible. However, this path can lead to its own set of challenges and obstacles making it difficult for her to succeed in the long term.

Alternatively, if leveraged right, that healthy pressure could get you moving passed fear and into action faster. Julius Caesar famously said 2000 years ago, “If you want to take the island, burn the boats!” That all-in approach just works for some people.

Three// The path of ease, flow, and play involves appreciating her job and how lucky she is to be in a situation where she can take care of her family while creating a new plan. This path provides her with the bandwidth and space to test out her ideas, get social proof, save money, and be creative. Stress can negatively impact creativity and flow. Once she finally decides to leave, the transition is more likely to be smoother. This is an all around safer choice.

The Joy is in the Journey

You have a choice of making this next venture fun and exciting. No more boxing yourself in. No more glass ceiling. Everything you didn’t like about your previous jobs, you get to do it differently this time around.

Starting a business involves a roller coaster of ups and downs. You’re going to fail, a lot. So it’s important to explore and take small steps towards your ideas and see where it takes you. Try different projects and see what feels fulfilling and meaningful. Put together test groups and get real time feedback about your ideas.

You may find that your interests shift and change, and that’s okay. Embrace the journey and trust that each step is leading you closer to where you’re meant to be. The winding path begins to reveal itself as you continue to move forward.

Your dreams are waiting for you

The greatest feeling is chasing dreams that chase us back. You’ll most likely fail. A lot. But what-if in the end, everything turns out better than you could have ever planned or imagined. I’m willing to bet that if you look back on the where you were just ten years ago, you would’t have been able to predict some of the blessings that are in your life today.

Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back from what makes you truly happy. You have the power to create a life that’s both fulfilling and meaningful. Embrace your passions, take action, and watch as your dreams unfold right before your eyes!

I want to hear from you! Was this helpful? Email, DM, of drop it in the comments below.

PS To help you get even more clear on your ideas and goals, I’ve created a free guide with powerful prompts. You can download it free here.

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