Have you ever heard the expression “Do what you love, and you’ll never have to work another day in your life”? It’s a great concept, but it’s hard to picture a world with everyone pursuing their passion simultaneously. We all have obligations and responsibilities that tend to force our dreams down the list of priorities, often to be forgotten for long periods of time. For many of us, the problem isn’t the pursuit. It’s figuring out what the dream actually is. This all seems like a lot of effort for an idea that will likely take time to actualize, if at all. Then there’s the possibility that your dreams will change over time. What then? These are valid concerns, and answering such difficult questions requires some serious effort. The key takeaway from all of this uncertainty is that it’s perfectly normal to have concerns when big changes come along. Here a couple of important benefits will make you want to take on these challenges.

Pursuing your dream will help you gain a better understanding of yourself

From my personal experience and many others I have spoken with, the pursuit of your dream tends to reveal details about yourself that you may not have known otherwise. There’s something to be said about exposing an idea to scrutiny while internalizing that the most important opinion is your own. Highly challenged ideas tend to be more solid because they have been tested by many perspectives, so remember to thank the next person that shoots you down for their help!

Being Happy Actually Improves Your Physical Health

If we can assume that pursuing something you’re passionate about intrinsically makes you happier, then your dreams are helping you to live longer. I read an article in Psychology Today about the health benefits of happiness that describes how happiness can lower blood pressure with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and affect the immune system in the progression of various cold and flu viruses (COVID-19 protection anyone?).

Aligning your passion with your actions will draw like-minded people into your life

I’m a supporter of the law of attraction, but sometimes it’s hard to see how thinking a certain way can magically make it a reality. It’s easier to explain how pursuing your passion means that you’re thinking about it and talking about it more, which activates your brain to notice when you hear similar points of view. The physiological term for this brain function is the Reticular Activating System and the best way to describe it is when you buy a new car and you start seeing that same type of car everywhere you go. The same thing happens for others when they hear you talk about a passion that they share.

Deciding to figure out your passion or to pursue your dream may seem like a big step because the end result is life-changing. When you break it down into small consistent steps, it’s tangible regardless of your current situation. It’s important to remember that we don’t need to have everything figured out before we start. Appreciating the benefits of the pursuit is just as vital as getting to the destination.