Have you ever Googled yourself to see what’s out there about you? Because I have.
A friend of mine once pointed out how much of an online presence I’ve built. Before I’m invited to a podcast or asked to write an article, I’m often met with questions like, “How do you manage all of this?” “Where do you find the time to do the things you do?” “Why is it important to do the things you love?”
Simply put, nothing I’ve done so far was intentionally planned. I just followed my passions and put them “out there” for the world to see. So let’s go back in time to understand how it all started.
I’ve always been a woman with many passions. When I started my career in 2016, all I did was work, and I felt like I was missing out on life. My life felt empty and meaningless, just working all the time. I used to share my dreams with friends and family and talk about wanting to achieve all of them.
Then the pandemic happened. Suddenly, I had more time to do the things I loved: YouTubing, podcasting, blogging, creating content, and publishing books. It was 2020, the turning point that made me realize it was time to go after the things that truly matter to us.
As I began this adventure, I spoke with many industry experts, especially friends who were already pursuing their passions. Most of them were entrepreneurs, which meant they had to be on strict schedules and manage everything on their own. I, on the other hand, had to balance it all while working full-time and studying almost full-time, which left me with very little time.
My journey of pursuing my passions started with the concept of Ikigai, which means a reason for being, a purpose in life, or a sense of meaning. After reading the book Ikigai, I realized it was time to live with intention. It all started by following my curiosity and intuition. I wanted to write? I started a blog. I wanted to create YouTube videos? I opened a YouTube channel. None of this happened overnight. It was a step-by-step process filled with trial and error. I stepped outside of my comfort zone to explore what truly resonated with me.
Nothing came easily, and I faced many challenges along the way. When you pursue your passions, you’ll face judgment, zero support, and even backlash, but you have to cut through the noise and follow your intuition.
In my case, there was a lot of learning involved. I didn’t know much about YouTube or blogging, so I spent a lot of time learning. Since I was also working full-time, I kept it simple, posting twice a month on both platforms. Over time, as I exposed more of myself to the world, people started reaching out to me for podcasts, article features, interviews, and collaborations. Little by little, I began to build my online presence and personal brand. The things I valued most, the things I talked about online and in my content, became part of my identity. And it all remained consistent with who I truly was.
So, what was the secret sauce?
When it comes to pursuing your passions, there are three key things you need:
- Passion must feel effortless.
Whatever you do should come from the heart. You do it because you want to.
- You’ll always make time for it.
Whether it’s working out, cooking, or writing, we do it because it’s on our priority list. We don’t make excuses like “I don’t have time.” Instead, we say, “I’m going to make time for it.”
- Passion develops you into who you’re meant to be.
Whatever you commit to helps shape who you are. It gives you clarity about who you want to become and builds your identity. For example, if you love writing, you’ll grow into a writer or blogger. If you enjoy creating videos, you’ll become a YouTuber. Your passions define your present and your future.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Pursue Your Passions
- Start with one passion and see if you can manage it with your busy schedule. Don’t overdo it.
- Create a schedule to allocate time for the activities you want to accomplish. Don’t just come home and scroll or do nothing. Use your time wisely.
- Some passions can be monetized if done well. Quality content attracts the right audience. If executed properly, it can pay off.
- Be consistent. Don’t stop just because you’re not seeing engagement. It takes time. Your consistency reflects your character, it shows that you’re not a quitter.
- Utilize mentors, websites, and YouTube for educational purposes. There’s plenty of free information out there to help you grow.
- Your passion can become a full-time job. It’s all about trial and error. If you’re good at something and feel it has the potential to become a business, go for it. Many entrepreneurs start this way.
- Most importantly, enjoy it.
If you keep making excuses, maybe it’s not something worth pursuing annd that’s okay too.
About Urmi
Urmi Hossain is a finance professional, author, speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Based in Canada, she works in the financial services industry and holds both the CFA and CAIA designations. She is the author of Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle and host of the Stories Beyond Borders podcast, where she amplifies voices on identity, migration, and belonging.
Urmi also serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter and is passionate about continuous learning, personal growth, and public speaking.
