The 4 Phases of Chasing Your Passion

Today I want to talk about the four stages of chasing your passion or achieving your goals or your dreams.

I want to help advise you on how to get through and break those cycles, how to identify where you are in a certain phase, and just kind of guide you through step by step how people actually achieve their dreams.

I speak a lot about following your passion, I have had basically the same passion since I was very young, and I have made it kind of a side project until recently.

Over the past year, I have really put my passions a priority. And although it hasn’t been super easy and it hasn’t been a fairytale, I am currently doing everything I wanted to do.

I’m doing it confidently, and I’m doing it with stability.

If I can help you do the same, then that’s what I want to do.

Table of Contents

The 4 Phases of
Chasing Your Passion

the four stages of chasing your passion

Phase One: The Comfort Zone

The first phase is something you’ve probably heard before, the comfort zone.

This might be where you are right now, but it’s definitely where a lot of people retreat to in the process of chasing their passion.

If you’re in your comfort zone, it’s when your passion, your dream, or your goal is kind of just an idea, or maybe you spend a couple of hours on it a week or you’ve started planning, but you haven’t actually taken the step where you’ve had to invest a lot of time, energy and money into it.

You are still living comfortably while it’s like a dream that almost feels too far away.

You haven’t really told anybody about it, there are no stakes in it, it’s still very personal.

You’re not risking a lot. And that’s why it’s the comfort zone because you’re comfortable. But that’s also why a lot of people continue to get stuck here or retreat here.

the comfort zone - 4 stages of chasing your passion

Being in the comfort zone is obviously easier than any other zone you can be in.

It’s not the worst place to be, but when you start this path towards your passion, it’s kind of the worst place to end up because you want to reach your goals. You don’t want to end up where you started.

Phase Two: Uncertainty

If you have the guts or the time or the energy, or the money to make that big next step, that’s when you enter the uncertainty phase.

To break out of your comfort zone, you have to get a little bit uncomfortable. I think that’s pretty obvious from the name.

This is where you’re taking more chances on yourself.

Maybe you are investing a lot more time, maybe more money. Maybe you are making it public. You are really committing to this, and it’s actually a real thing now. You are investing in it, you are executing the plan, you are going all-in or some in. It’s not just an idea anymore and you’re uncomfortable and you’re uncertain because you don’t know where it’s going to go.

A lot of people get stuck in the uncertainty phase and then get dragged back to their comfort zone and they get stuck in this cycle.

You leave the comfort zone to start exploring something new, uncertainty overwhelms you, and you go right back to the comfort zone. It’s just that vicious cycle again and again because there’s something inside of you that wants more, but because more is scary and uncertain, you just go back to the comfort zone.

What I’ve learned most in my journey – and I know it’s easier said than done – but you need to find a way to take the uncertainty and view it as wonder, curiosity, and excitement instead of fear, doubt, and anxiety.

Sometimes you retreat there willingly, and you make the choice to go back. But other times you’re pushed there. Maybe you didn’t invest enough of your time, maybe you didn’t take it seriously, maybe you didn’t have the self-discipline, maybe it’s not the right time and you’re pushed back into the comfort zone.

It’s not the end of the world, but it is a cycle you can get stuck in.

If you really want to reach your passion, eventually you have to outgrow that cycle.

When you get back into your comfort zone, it might mean you need to plan, or maybe you need a wake-up call.

And for me, I needed a wake-up call.

A lot of people don’t achieve what they want to achieve because there’s no urgency to achieve it, because comfort is okay. So if you are someone who needs urgency, you may have to create urgency for yourself.

Getting through the uncertainty phase means that you push even when things feel like they’re not going right or things feel like they’re going bad.

And this is different than when things are bad.

A lot of times when we are in something that is uncertain, it looks like it’s not going to happen for us or it looks like this is going to be a dead end. We’re filled with that doubt that if we keep pushing, it’s just going to end up somewhere bad.

And the thing is, you worrying about that is not actually it being bad. Thinking it is not going to work out for you and it actually not working out for you are two different things. Thinking it’s not going to work out for you is the uncertainty.

That is what you have to push through.

That is the hardest realization.

Phase Three: Discovery

If you manage to push through the uncertainty, you get into the beautiful discovery phase.

This is where you discover what your life can look like, all the different opportunities. You start seeing abundance, you’ve kind of left a scarcity mindset of uncertainty and leaned into the abundance of opportunity and just different ways and different directions your project can take.

It’s not all positive because you also start to learn what doesn’t work or what you don’t actually like. But that is still in the discovery phase because you’re certain about things you don’t like, which leads you into things you do, or you are certain about things that don’t work, which leads you into things that do work.

But you can also lose yourself in this phase. Although it is a beautiful phase to be in, I personally find that I got faced with impostor syndrome.

And if it’s not impostor syndrome, you might also have too many opportunities. A lot of people have a lot of things they can do, but they don’t actually do them. That could do with self-discipline, doubt, or maybe you’re so indecisive and unsure that you never actually make a move.

If you let those feelings of doubt, imposter syndrome, and indecision, you can actually start going into the uncertainty phase, because that’s uncertainty.

Not thinking that you are capable or that you can do it is uncertainty.

That’s why the boundary of these two phases is a very blurry line.

When you’re in the discovery phase, it doesn’t mean you are certain about everything. It means that you’ve pushed through uncertainty and you reshape the way you view uncertainty.

But that’s also why it’s so easy to fall back into uncertainty and then back into that vicious cycle.

Another thing that a lot of people run into in the discovery phase is not actually just about their business, their goal, or whatever they want to achieve.

It’s about themselves.

In the discovery phase, you’re also going through a huge self-discovery. You’re finding out things about yourself and you may need to challenge them.

One thing about me is I have a huge problem with self-discipline and personal commitments to myself. Being creative, being self-employed, there’s no one to really hold me accountable besides me.

That’s an example of an obstacle I needed to face in the discovery phase.

Phase Four: Bloom

The final and most beautiful phase is the Bloom phase, and I really do think I’m nearing it.

When you are in the Bloom phase, this is kind of when everything is paying off.This is when you’ve pushed through the uncertainty. You’ve discovered all your opportunities, you’ve made a decision or you’ve moved in a direction and things are working out for you.

All these little snowballs that you started creating are just piling and piling and piling and things are starting to pay off.

You are seeing the results of everything you’ve put in now.

This is not to say you won’t see results all the way through these phases because of course you will! But this is where it’s like exponentially better.

You’re growing and you’re seeing the life you’ve always wanted. You’re seeing this goal you’ve always wanted.

That seems so far away sometimes when you think about it. But when you look at what I’ve just described to you and how you get there.

The main thing is about mindset and is about exploring your self-doubt and pushing through it.

Obviously, there are going to be other outer obstacles, but you cannot control that. That is part of the discovery phase.

Uncertainty also comes with external factors, but you have to realize that you are still in some power over yourself and you have to do something about it.

I’m not saying that in the Bloom phase or getting to the Bloom phase you have to have this hustle mindset, but you do have to actively put in work, whether it is who you are mentally, who you are in a workspace, or what your project is going to be.

As long as you are thinking and you are motivated and you are inspired and you are creative, it’s not about how much you work. It’s just that you’re doing something.

And although you’re in the Bloom phase, this is a cycle.

When you take whatever project you’ve reached and you want to turn it into something else, or maybe things change, or maybe you want something else.

You’re probably going to go right back into the comfort phase because your Bloom phase becomes your comfort phase because this is now where you are safe.

Then you can do it all over again.

But I do want to say when a dream feels so far away when it feels like you might never get it if there’s a part of you dreaming it, if there’s a part of you that is always thinking about it, there’s a part of you that believes it can be yours.

So that’s just my main thing. If you are dreaming it, there’s a reason for that.

There’s something inside of you that knows you’re completely capable.

I hope this explanation and kind of the way I view it and what I’ve experienced inspires you and gives you a little bit more confidence.

If you want me to go through any of the phases in a little bit more detail, like how to actually address uncertainty, how to get out of the comfort zone, or maybe you want me to talk about the best way to handle the discovery phase.

I’m totally open to doing that.

And if you want to share anything in the comments, you’re completely welcome to!

10 Books That Changed My Life

If you are looking for your next read or looking for books that can put you in the right direction then you should definitely add these books to your reading list. These are 10 books that changed my life, seriously!

I love reading a variety of books to expand my knowledge so do not expect a list of only self-help books (even if there are a few of them on the list).

With a quick explanation of why these books are life-changing, you will definitely be convinced to read them!

10 Books That Changed My Life

List of 10 Books That Changed My Life

Disclaimer: Some links on this page may be affiliate links and if there is a purchase made through them I can earn a commission from the sale. The decision to make a purchase through these links is entirely up to the reader. 

The World’s Best Grammar Checker

In no particular order:

#1 Tuesday’s With Morrie by Mitch Albom

One of my favorite books, Tuesday’s With Morrie is based on a true relationship between a professor and his former student. His last lesson is to reveal what he has learned in his life.

Tuesday’s With Morrie will make you laugh, cry, but always smile. It is a heart-warming exchange of information and some of these life lessons will stick with you.

#2 The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project is meant to be a life-changing book if you apply what Gretchen has done with her life.

Using the happiness project I began categorizing my life which leads me to set, plan, and achieve my goals.

Of course, I put my own spin on her method, but seeing how she approached her life will guide you in the right direction.

#3 Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I need to start off by saying wow. This book has been so influential for me personally and Glennon’s story is raw and real and lets the readers see her path of growth.

A no-bullshit read about a woman who discovered how the world molded her into what she “thinks she should be”.  How the world tamed her.

This eye-opening read will have you questioning what it means to be you under your definition of you, not what society tells you should be.

Learning to trust yourself and let yourself be who you truly are will change your life, and this book is step one in that direction.

50% Off your first digital audiobook.

#4 Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza

I have been trying to increase my spirituality by getting more in touch with myself through meditation. However, for a science geek like me, I need to see the supporting research.

This book is mind-blowing and amazing in showing you, through experiments and cited research, the effects of meditating.

If you feel skeptical about meditation or are looking for that extra push to commit to it then I definitely recommend reading this!

He also dives into meditation methods to give you the most potential.

#5 Forest Therapy by Sarah Ivens

This bookmarked a significant shift in my life because I lost my relationship with nature for a long time and this book allowed me to reconnect and rediscover my love.

I now commit completely to nature and have even created an interactive journal to help others to connect.

This book has completely redirected my life and I am even studying to help climate change.

You can follow my outdoor adventures on my Instagram.

Pela Case

#6 Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

TW: Suicide and Mental Illness

This book is written so beautifully and strangely, but it all ties together once you finish it.

Mental illness and suicide are hard to navigate especially if you have experienced it personally.

Although I cried a lot while reading this book I found it comforting as I could relate to the words Neal wrote.

#7 The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

I have read a lot of literature based around the holocaust and WWII, but if I had to pick one for everyone to read it would be Anne Frank’s diary.

It is hard to read and it is hard to imagine the life Anne was faced with, but I think it is so important for people to read these experiences and realize that these were real people with real thoughts and feelings.

This book can help you carry empathy and compassion for the rest of your life.

#8 Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Reclaiming your independence and setting out to test your strengths and willpower is what Cheryl knows all about.

This book left me feeling very inspired and motivated. Cheryl, like Glennon Doyle, felt trapped and unfulfilled and with a traumatic event in her life, she felt she needed to do something.

Reading about her successes, failures, and every thought in between really sparked my own personal thoughts. It definitely helped me consider my independence and what I want to accomplish in my life.

Also reading about her adventure on the Pacific Coast Trail is reason enough to pick up this book!

#9 Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

This book may not apply to everyone, but it completely changed my approach to my relationships and really healed me.

Codependency in a relationship can loosely be defined as being over-invested in another person to the point that you are not taking care of yourself because you are consumed by them. You often try to control them and are instantly impacted by their choices and actions. In trying to “help” a dysfunctional relationship or person you actually become an enabler.

Reading this book required me to do a lot of self-reflecting and I learned a lot about myself and what I needed to work on. I lost myself in trying to “save” other people and almost reached a point where my own mental health was ruined.

Luckily this book was the first step in recovering and I am still recovering and working on myself today!

Dive into codependency and see if this book is necessary for you, it could really change your life!

#10 We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A quick, but powerful read that is actually written from a TED talk.

What it means to be a feminist has definitely become a little debated since people try to silence feminism or discount it by using extremist examples.

I love this read because it truly speaks to what it means to be a feminist, and guess what: we should all be feminists.

These are 10 of the most influential books I have read in the past 5 years and I can say with confidence these are 10 books that changed my life. Either they made me self-reflect, ask myself the important questions, educated me, or even helped me heal. I hope you can find inspiration and motivation from at least one of these 10 amazing reads!

10 books that changed my life

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How to ACTUALLY Reach Your Goals in 2022: 5 Actionable Steps to Change Your Life

Writing down your goals on a piece of paper is a great start to reach your goals, but more is needed. Reaching your goals is hard if you don’t have an action plan set in place, especially if you plan on making life-changing decisions.

This post will help you to change a passing thought into a solid action plan. Here are 5 steps that I use to reach my goals!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Some links on this page may be affiliate links which means I can earn a commission if they’re used for purchases. The decision to use these links is entirely up to the reader.

Pela Case

1. Finding Inspiration

Inspiration is one that is constantly brought up. To get a goal ignited you need a spark of inspiration. I want you to ask yourself, “why do I want to reach this goal?” and keep asking yourself this until you get down to the raw, real reason why you want this goal.

Disclaimer: If you are intimidated by someone or you are stressing about a comparison to someone, then you are not in a place to let them inspire you, and it’s better for you to look away for a little while until you get that confidence.

Next, ask yourself, “who inspires me?” Look at these people and try to learn from them. You don’t want to BE these people because everyone is different and you want to find the version of success meant for you.

Then ask, “what can I do to remind myself of these inspirations every day?” Some people do journaling, sticky notes on a wall, daily affirmations. I do visions boards. I have a general vision board and I also do monthly vision boards to visualize my goals.

reach your goals with a vision board

2. Build a Foundation of Information

One of the most important steps in reaching a goal is to have a foundation of information. You need a base of information or education to start the intention. You need that foundational base, anything that stands strong needs something to stand on.

Do what you can to learn all that you can about your goal. There are so many free things out there now like blogs, videos, and books.

What book or course recommendations are your inspiration sharing? There are so many free resources out there, you just need to know what you’re looking for!

3. Make a Plan

The modern focus of goal setting is to make a plan. It is not enough to write down your goal; you need to write it down in manageable steps.

In a journal or excel, make a plan of your goal. Make sure to break your goal into smaller monthly or weekly goals so it isn’t overwhelming and is more manageable.

Each week I set a small habit that fits into my projects that help me get ahead in my monthly or weekly goal!

make a plan and reach your goals!

4. Motivation

Motivation is very tough and keeping it is easier said than done. It depends on various reasons, and it comes and goes. Don’t get discouraged! I have a few tips that help me find my motivation again.

    1. Circle back to your inspiration. Give yourself a reminder of why you want to reach a goal.
    2. Get an accountability partner or a positive community. Having a partner or community can give you the chance to open up and speak about your goals.
    3. Take care of yourself! If you are not resting, eating, or doing things you love, you will feel overwhelmed and get discouraged, and you will lose your motivation. Balancing all these things is difficult, but it should be a focus because at the end of the day if you’re not motivated and you push yourself too hard, it will have the opposite effect. You need to know when to push yourself and when to rest.

5. Reflecting, Tracking, and Checking-In

This is the most important part of keeping your pace and getting better. I like to have some kind of milestone or achievements written in a notebook that I can check off when I have completed them. I recommend having a monthly check-in to see what you have achieved even if you feel like you’re behind. Don’t let that drag you down! You may have achieved something without knowing it. And if you didn’t it was probably because it was better for your interest or health not to.

If you are self-sabotaging, this is a chance to recognize it, too. You need to see what works and what doesn’t for the next month so you’re not repeating yourself and keeping yourself stuck in the same place.

reflect to reach your goals

Those are my 5 actionable steps to use to reach your goals and I hope they help! My two most recommended steps to pay attention to are creating a base of information and reflecting. Goals are complicated and at the base of our goals is us.

Are we healthy? Are we okay? We are always going to have roadblocks or obstacles. Don’t feel like you must hustle all the time.

Remember to give yourself grace and to practice forming a healthy lifestyle around goals for yourself. You want to see your life flourish while you reach your goals!

pin to reach your goals

New Years: What I’m Leaving in 2021 and Embracing in my Goals for 2022

Disclaimer: certain links on this page are affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made through my link.

The new year is here and in the spirit of setting my goals for 2022 I decided to make my yearly post a little bit different this year. 

A lot happened during 2020 and 2021, I didn’t feel right going into 2022 without reflecting on how I’ve grown and what I’ve learned. 

So let’s talk about what I’m leaving in 2021 and what I’m embracing in 2022!

If you want to check out my digital vision board you can see it here!

Changes I’m Making in 2022

Leaving Arguments, Embracing Advocacy 

A huge change I’m bringing into my goals for 2022 is changing the way I interact with others and how I discuss the things I’m passionate about. 

When you’re passionate about something and you want people to see it from your perspective or to care about what is going on in the world, it can be easy to completely drain yourself mentally and physically from arguing and debating. 

I want to focus my energy in a more positive way which I can achieve by advocating. 

Instead of arguing with people, who most do not care to or want to change their minds, I’m going to focus my efforts on supporting and sharing information that will reach and inspire others. 

goals for 2022: advocacy

Finding a balance between standing up for what you believe in and protecting your energy is a challenge, but this is how I’m approaching it with my goals for 2022.

Leaving Self-Sabotage, Embracing Self-Confidence

Even if it is a “fake it until I make it” mindset, I’m bringing self-confidence into 2022.

Leaning into excuses, doubting myself, worrying about what others may think has fuelled my self-sabotaging behaviors for far too long.

I refuse to bring that negative mindset into 2022!

goals for 2022: self-confidence
Leaving Hustle and Embracing Health

This is a big one for me in 2022. 

I try not to feed into hustle culture, but I still catch myself prioritizing work over my health. 

A lot of you can probably relate to having your healthy habits impacted by the pandemic. I understand that things changed and my normal habits would change too, however, I never tried to adapt and ultimately let my health get away from me. 

My focus has solely been on my career, but I truly believe I cannot reach or support my career goals without my health on my side which is why it needs to be a priority. 

goals for 2022: health

Leaving Perfectionism, Embracing My Best

Perfectionism is the killer of creativity. It limits how much we create and if what we create ever makes it out into the world. 

I will overthink everything until the moment has passed or I talk myself out of putting a photo, blog, or video out there. 

If you were perfect you would never have anything to improve and would ultimately become bored. 

This year I’m going to embrace everything I create and remember it is a stepping stone in my journey!

goals for 2022: perfectionism

Leaving Uncertainty, Embracing Opportunity 

If 2021 has overwhelmed me with anything, it is the dread and anxiety of uncertainty. 

This will be the hardest change for me because a lack of knowing and lack of stability overwhelms me. 

 

Growing up is hard enough to navigate, doing it in a pandemic is a whole other story, but instead of letting those thoughts terrify me, I’m going to start getting excited. 

I’m a completely different person in 2022, I opened so many doors for myself it will be exciting to see where each path will take me!

goals for 2022: uncertainity

 

And that’s my goals for 2022! I definitely have more specific goals set for personal projects and health, however I’m trying to focus on these major life shifts as the building blocks of my success!

goals for 2022

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