You might know exactly what you want to do--sell cookies, make a table, start a non-profit to recycle clothing, learn the history of human migrations--but if you aren't sure yet, here are some steps that might help.
Create a Goal Question Table
If you don't have a single idea for your passion project fixed in your mind, think about making a table of Goal Questions to consider. We suggest posing your topic as a question to keep your mind open about answers, events, projects, and other outcomes.
First think of a topic that interest you, and then express it as a question. For example, you may think, “I want to support people without homes.” To make this into a Goal Question, you might write, “What are the biggest needs in support for the unhoused in my town?” If you are thinking of learning to write computer code, you might write, "What are the most recommended computer languages for new coders?"
Create team norms
Even more important than what we are working on, is how we do the work. If you are working with others have a conversation about what makes a team great in each of your minds. What characteristics of a team help each person feel more, and better, just because they are on the team?
Write down some top ideas. Perhaps you want to make it normal for every person to speak in every meeting, and for everyone to listen. Perhaps you want to make it normal for any person to be able to bring forward problems without judgement.
Now, choose your Goal Question
Then, write your questions in a table, and ask yourself (and your team if you are doing this with others) why you are interested in each one, what about each one makes you uncomfortable, and any other decision categories you think of.
If you're in a team, have each person fill in the table on their own, and then discuss, and then vote on which Goal Question they most want to do. See if you can have a conversation and reach consensus.
If you're doing it on your own, pick your favorite...and start on research!
