The Passion Discovery Checklist

A Simple Way to Find and Pursue Your Next Passion

Illustration by Mihajlo Stojanovic

“You don't find your passion. It finds you as you get in the mix and try things.” — James Clear

Some people believe passion is like love at first sight — that one day, they’ll stumble across something and just know it’s their thing.

But that’s rarely how it works.

More often, passion grows out of exposure, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment. You don’t wake up one day as a freediver, a rock climber, or an artist — you try it, stick with it long enough to get past the beginner stage, and only then does it become something you love.

So what if there was a more deliberate way to discover your next passion? What if, instead of waiting for lightning to strike, you could actively seek it out?

Since starting On Fire a little over a year ago, I’ve interviewed dozens of passionate people and pored over the latest research on passion. Based on what I’ve learned, I’ve been workshopping a Passion-Finding Checklist — a simple way to filter your options, spot patterns, and start exploring.

Paid subscribers — I made a downloadable PDF of this checklist just for you so make sure to check it out!

First, Why Should You Care?

If you’re reading this, you probably already believe in the value of passion. But in case you need extra convincing, here’s why it matters:

Passions make life richer. Research shows that people with hobbies and passions tend to be happier, more fulfilled, and even live longer.

Passion = flow. Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi’s research on flow shows that having a passion — ideally something challenging but deeply absorbing — is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have.

Passions aren’t just about work. You don’t need to find your “one true calling.” Passion can be anything you put time and energy into that brings you joy (and it’s okay to have more than one!).

For me, that’s jiu-jitsu, handstands, and writing (for now).

Yours might be something completely different. But you won’t know until you start looking.

The Passion Discovery Checklist

We don’t have to wait for our passions to find us — we can actively search for something that lights us up. This checklist will help you narrow your options, spot patterns, and figure out what to try next. Answer each question honestly (don’t overthink it!), then look for connections between your answers.

1. What Excites You?

Pick the top 2-3 categories that sound the most fun:

• Creative (writing, music, film, design)

• Physical (jiu-jitsu, calisthenics, dance)

• Outdoor & Adventure (hiking, sailing, kayaking)

• Tech & Skills (coding, robotics, DIY)

• Quirky & Unique (urban beekeeping, glass blowing, extreme ironing)

• Social & Community (book clubs, D&D, trivia nights)

2. What Do You Want From a Passion?

Choose 2-3 things that matter most:

• Community & social connection (pickleball, board games, improv)

• Creativity & self-expression (painting, songwriting, jewelry making)

• Sports & fitness activities (boxing, circus arts, skating)

• Intellectual stimulation and learning (languages, scientific research, philosophy)

• Mastery & skill development (coding, instrument playing, athletics)

• Adventure & exploration (scuba diving, mountaineering, travel-based hobbies)

• Relaxation & stress relief (baking, sewing, gardening)

3. What’s Your Ideal Environment?

Where do you want to spend most of your time engaging with your passion?

• Indoors at home (writing, gaming, painting)

• Outdoors in nature (hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching)

• In a gym/training space (martial arts, dance, weightlifting)

• In a studio or workshop (pottery, photography, welding)

• In a social setting (book clubs, chess clubs, co-working spaces)

4. How Much Time Can You Commit?

Be honest with yourself:

• 1-2 hours per week (casual interest)

• 3-5 hours per week (moderate commitment)

• As much as I can (deep dive into mastery)

5. What’s Your Desired Complexity Level?

Are you looking for something:

• Easy to pick up (board games, cooking, running)

• A skill-based challenge (guitar, coding, martial arts)

• High adrenaline and physically demanding (rock climbing, skateboarding, skiing)

6. Social or Solo Passion?

Do you prefer:

• Group/community-based activities (dancing, team sports, choir)

• Mostly solo but with a possible community element (skateboarding, yoga, fitness)

• Completely solo activities (writing, coding, philosophy)

7. New or Familiar?

Do you want something completely new or a twist on what you already enjoy?

• I want to try something completely new.

• I want something slightly different but related to my current interests.

• I prefer to deepen my skills in an area I already enjoy.

8. Tech or Tech-Free?

Do you want a passion that involves tech and gadgets, or something completely hands-on and unplugged?

• I love tech! (gaming, coding, robotics, digital art)

• I prefer something hands-on and tech-free (painting, woodworking, aerial silks)

9. How Adventurous Are You?

Some passions involve pushing physical and mental limits, while others are more about comfort and consistency. Which best describes you?

• I thrive on adrenaline and extreme challenges (skydiving, freediving, parkour)

• I enjoy adventure in a more controlled environment (martial arts, obstacle races, salsa dancing)

• I don’t need adrenaline — I prefer something steady and low-risk (pinball, painting, home brewing)

10. What’s Your Primary Motivation?

Rank these from most important (1) to least important (5).

• Stress relief (a way to unwind and relax)

• Learning new skills (growing knowledge or abilities)

• Socializing (connecting with others)

• Physical fitness (staying active and strong)

• Creative expression (engaging your artistic side)

Spot the Patterns

Now, look at all your answers. Do certain categories appear more than once? Do you lean toward physical, creative, or intellectual pursuits? Do you naturally prefer solo or social activities? Look for the patterns.

Next, brainstorm ideas that match your answers. If you’re stuck, ask ChatGPT for suggestions or search for local classes or groups. Pick at least one to try this month.

Finally, experiment. The most passionate people don’t just sit around waiting for a passion to hit them — they go out and test things. If something doesn’t stick, they don’t dwell on it. They take what they’ve learned — what they liked, what they didn’t — and move on. Think startup mindset: try, refine, pivot.

Make sure to give each experiment a real shot. And if you choose something high in complexity, don’t expect to be good at it right away. It took me at least a year before I felt competent in jiu-jitsu. But at the same time, don’t force it — if it doesn’t click, move on.

Here are a few examples to get your mind going:

• If you’re craving a physical challenge with a social aspect but only have a few hours a week, try muay thai, run club, or indoor rock climbing.

• If you’ve always loved the water and want an adventure that lets you travel, look into getting your scuba diving certification.

• If you want something you can learn quickly, do from home, and use as a way to decompress, try candle making, cooking, or succulent gardening.

Not sure where to start? Trust your criteria.

When I was choosing jiu-jitsu, my criteria were: a sport I could do for life, a strong community, the option to compete, and something with a high level of complexity. I didn’t know much about it before I started (and the first eight months were tough!), but I stuck with it because I knew what I was looking for. Eventually, I grew to be very passionate about it.

Passion isn’t about waiting for the perfect thing — it’s about exploring, giving something a real shot, and pivoting if it doesn’t click.

This checklist gets you started. The next step? Try something. Commit for a month. If it sparks something, great. If not, reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and keep exploring.

If you’ve been searching for a passion — or just feeling stuck — try this out and let me know how it goes. Was it helpful? Did anything surprise you? I’d love to hear what you discover!

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