The Noticing Project

An Exercise for Identifying Your Passion

Noticing When You Come Alive

Passion is often easier to notice in moments than to name as a life plan

Instead of asking you to choose one perfect career or purpose, this activity asks you to notice experiences in which you feel absorbed, energized, effective, connected, or fully yourself.

You will remember a time when you felt at or near your best, track ordinary moments that bring out some of the same qualities, and run one small experiment based on the patterns you find.

This research-informed activity draws on work concerning flow, personal strengths, and intentional strengths use. It does not assume that every energizing experience reveals a single calling, and this Noticing Project version has not been independently validated.
  1. 1

    Part 1

    Remember your best

    Reflect on one experience and identify the strengths, values, and conditions involved.

  2. 2

    Part 2

    Notice for 7 days

    Track small moments of absorption, energy, effectiveness, connection, or meaning.

  3. 3

    Part 3

    Run an experiment

    Repeat one promising pattern, then reflect on what brought out your best.

Before you begin

Your “best” experience does not need to involve winning, recognition, productivity, or an extraordinary achievement. It may be quiet, relational, creative, intellectual, physical, spiritual, playful, or service-oriented.

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Part 1 of 3

Demo mode: responses are not saved.

Remember yourself at your best

Begin with one experience when you felt engaged and at or near your best. After submitting, notice up to one smaller moment each day for seven days and bring those observations to Part 2.

There is no ideal kind of “best” experience

Do not compare the scale of your experience with anyone else’s. Choose something meaningful to you, and remember that this activity is for gathering clues—not forcing a permanent passion, identity, career, or purpose decision.

Choose an experience

Which strengths were you using? Choose up to five.
Which personal values were you honoring? Choose up to three.

Your starting point

Next-part reminder

The recommended reminder contains no private response content. A second reminder is sent three days later if the next part remains incomplete.

Your privacy

Your responses are private by default. Your educator can see completion and privacy-safe numeric or category trends, but not identifying free text. Do not include names or details that identify another person. Any future anonymous public sharing must be separately optional.