A self improvement project is one thing and a hobby is something completely different. The former requires some level of commitment, discipline and consistency in order to be effective. The latter is fun, enjoyable, easy and has very little impact on your life.
Let me explain.
Hobbies and hobbies tend to come about because we want to relax and have fun. We enjoy them but don't actually do them consistently enough to make them an important part of our lives. That's why they never grow into true passions.
Self improvement projects, on the other hand, tend to come about because we are driven by a passion. Whether we are passionate about art, music, business or fitness, there is a reason we picked up a book on personal development or started a blog.
In our desire to improve ourselves, we start a project that requires some level of commitment, discipline and consistency. This helps us develop our skills, improve ourselves and become more efficient. Once our project becomes a habit, it grows into a passion. It becomes a true passion.
So what exactly is a passion? A passion is a feeling of connection. A passion is something that connects us to another world, to the world beyond what we see and experience everyday.
There's nothing wrong with hobbies. They're a great way to relax, unwind and be creative. But without a passion for self improvement, they'll never grow into true passions.
Here are a few examples of hobbies that may seem enjoyable but will never grow into a true passion.
Writing a blog about beauty and makeup tips - Fun! Lots of people read these blogs. Not really important.
Playing guitar - Fun! No one will see your performance. No one cares how good you are. Not important.
Making YouTube videos - Fun! Lots of people watch your videos. Not important.
Singing at karaoke - Fun! Lots of people listen. No one cares how good you are. Not important.
Watching TV series - Fun! Lots of people watch your shows. Not important.
Learning how to speak a foreign language - Fun! Lots of people learn from you. Very important.
Trying new recipes - Fun! Lots of people love what you create. Not important.
Reading books on self improvement - Fun! Lots of people love what you write. Not important.
None of these are bad things, but they'll never become a passion if they don't connect with you. It's how you feel about them that matters.
You know the feeling when you see something you like? How does that make you feel? Passionate? Satisfied? Joyful?
Once you have a passion, it's incredibly hard to stop. Once you're passionate about something, you won't be able to go a day without doing it.
So how do you determine whether or not a hobby will ever turn into a true passion? Here are a few questions to help you make the right decision.
What excites you? Are you excited to
Yes.