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The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose
The inspirational and life-changing New York Times bestseller that will help you discover the meaning behind your life.
Can a simple test change a person’s life? Through their New York Times bestseller The Passion Test , Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood have inspired thousands to shape their lives by discovering their passions and living according to what matters most to them. Readers can identify their top five passions by taking the Test, and then learn exactly how to align their lives with their priorities by following the Attwoods’ easy-to-follow step-by-step program of action.
Combining powerful storytelling and profound wisdom from models of passionate living such as Jack Canfield, Richard Paul Evans, and Stephen M.R. Covey, as well as drawing on their own personal experiences, the Attwoods show how living a full and impassioned life is not only possible, it’s inevitable—for anyone willing to take the Test.
Can a simple test change a person’s life? Through their New York Times bestseller The Passion Test , Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood have inspired thousands to shape their lives by discovering their passions and living according to what matters most to them. Readers can identify their top five passions by taking the Test, and then learn exactly how to align their lives with their priorities by following the Attwoods’ easy-to-follow step-by-step program of action.
Combining powerful storytelling and profound wisdom from models of passionate living such as Jack Canfield, Richard Paul Evans, and Stephen M.R. Covey, as well as drawing on their own personal experiences, the Attwoods show how living a full and impassioned life is not only possible, it’s inevitable—for anyone willing to take the Test.
291 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2006
382 people are currently reading
1652 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 3, 2015
Quick recap of the "meat" in this book: 1. Make a list of your passions. 2. Prioritise them. 3. Voila! You now know what your passions are.
The rest of the book is made up of irrelevant stories about the author's traveling in India, meeting with "saints".
Also, unless you already knew, you should consult with fortune tellers before you start any project of major importance in your life (Doh! - Doesn't everyone know this already?)! The fortune telling stuff is one of the "important" messages in this book and there's a whole chapter dedicated to this.
"Utter crap" is not a strong enough statement to make this book justice.
The rest of the book is made up of irrelevant stories about the author's traveling in India, meeting with "saints".
Also, unless you already knew, you should consult with fortune tellers before you start any project of major importance in your life (Doh! - Doesn't everyone know this already?)! The fortune telling stuff is one of the "important" messages in this book and there's a whole chapter dedicated to this.
"Utter crap" is not a strong enough statement to make this book justice.
April 14, 2011
I'd recommend reading this book if you've never done this sort of self-reflection before because I wholeheartedly believe that we should live our lives purposefully and with our priorities before us - if we don't take the time to find out what we truly value in life ourselves, someone else will tell us what to prioritize, and we'll spend most of our lives unhappy because we're pushing to make our lives fit someone else's (or some group of people's) values and desires.
I liked this book more for its idea than for its execution, though truthfully, the idea was not original. The passion test itself, though a very useful tool, is a test that I had seen elsewhere in various forms, in books as well as life coaching exercises.
The explanation of the test itself and how to incorporate the answers to the test into ones life are interesting, inspiring, and useful, though they really only take up about a chapter or so - once one cuts out the rest of the filling, which is very wordy and somehow manages to fill an entire book.
I liked this book more for its idea than for its execution, though truthfully, the idea was not original. The passion test itself, though a very useful tool, is a test that I had seen elsewhere in various forms, in books as well as life coaching exercises.
The explanation of the test itself and how to incorporate the answers to the test into ones life are interesting, inspiring, and useful, though they really only take up about a chapter or so - once one cuts out the rest of the filling, which is very wordy and somehow manages to fill an entire book.
July 6, 2009
Don't be fooled by this book's tagline: "effortless path to discovering your destiny" -- after all, the authors say in their epilogue that it's taken them more than 30 years to align their lives with their passions. The book is simply a reminder to be clear about what's important to you. The stories from the authors, their colleagues, and their customers are curious and sometimes inspiring, but "the test" is nothing special: list what you're passionate about, rank order the items, identify "markers" (success measurements) for each. Way more helpful approach is chapter 2 (and following) of Cheryl Richardson's Take Time for Your Life.
February 5, 2015
By page 37, I was done but I tried to choke down the rest of it by continuing on (because I like to finish the things I start). Finally, I had to admit: this book was wasting my time. After all, I have a list of household chores to get to and a list of things to do with my children, and a list of lists to make.
This author is so full of herself I wondered, “If I shake this book, will I knock a little humility into it?"
Or perhaps I should just go buy her other book; you know, the one she is shamelessly promoting in this book?
-spoiler alert- If you can make a list and prioritize the items on that list you’ll discover you life’s purpose!
Hey, I make lists every day and prioritize the items on the list. I am a true expert at list making and prioritizing. Perhaps that is MY life’s purpose!
My dear reader, here’s a list for you:
What I effortlessly learned from this book:
A) It is actually possible to publish and sell yet another book about list making and prioritizing if you:
1) Provide plenty of reasons why you are so awesome
2) Do a lot of name-dropping
3) Promote your friends
4) Remind people how you are treated like a queen everywhere you go and suggest they might like that, too.
5) Write about how you’ve written a book then conveniently include a full page advertisement for that book on the last page of this one.
6) Revisit and adjust your list every six months (you know, to clarify your priorities)
B) Sorry... I don’t have time to finish this list because I have other priorities... on my other lists.
This author is so full of herself I wondered, “If I shake this book, will I knock a little humility into it?"
Or perhaps I should just go buy her other book; you know, the one she is shamelessly promoting in this book?
-spoiler alert- If you can make a list and prioritize the items on that list you’ll discover you life’s purpose!
Hey, I make lists every day and prioritize the items on the list. I am a true expert at list making and prioritizing. Perhaps that is MY life’s purpose!
My dear reader, here’s a list for you:
What I effortlessly learned from this book:
A) It is actually possible to publish and sell yet another book about list making and prioritizing if you:
1) Provide plenty of reasons why you are so awesome
2) Do a lot of name-dropping
3) Promote your friends
4) Remind people how you are treated like a queen everywhere you go and suggest they might like that, too.
5) Write about how you’ve written a book then conveniently include a full page advertisement for that book on the last page of this one.
6) Revisit and adjust your list every six months (you know, to clarify your priorities)
B) Sorry... I don’t have time to finish this list because I have other priorities... on my other lists.
January 1, 2019
The actual test is in itself nothing complicated but I did find plenty of a-ha moments thus the 4 stars. I’m usually very wary of asking the universe for anything, so I didn’t pay too much attention to that. However, I did like the summary at the end of each chapter that provide plenty to think about.
December 17, 2008
1. This is NOT a business book.
2. There is probably one chapter in this book that is interesting and not a sales pitch.
3. I don't know what compelled me to read this for as long as I did, but I did not enjoy it.
2. There is probably one chapter in this book that is interesting and not a sales pitch.
3. I don't know what compelled me to read this for as long as I did, but I did not enjoy it.
August 4, 2012
I absolutely love this book. I return to it over and over the help me get clear and define where I want to go and what I want in my life. There are so many practical tips entwined in the stories. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who is stuck in a rut or is searching for a deeper purpose.
April 5, 2017
I stopped after a few chapters. Really, don't even bother. I love self help books, but this is more a "I love my ego" book. It contains a lot of ego from the author, a lot of sale pitches, a lot of uninteresting stories and not a lot of helpful tips. It's not even worth one star.
July 9, 2009
Some good ideas on identifying your areas of passion. The new age junk (think Fairfield, Iowa and TM) gets a little old though.
Currently reading
September 16, 2012List passions then rate top 5 even if you do not know how you will do it. Keep these in mind as you make your daily decisions.
December 20, 2021
Some useful and mind changing takes, that were applicable immediately. The author also managed to motivate me and shine a light on the importance of clarity in achieving your vision and goals.
Intention + attention + no tension; pretty straight to the point and catchy but also easy to implement. I liked that
However, I skipped through a lot of pages, sorry but the whole “journey to India” was a bit too long and cut me off. Also she based a lot of her teachings on faith alone, without clarifying or contextualising it
Intention + attention + no tension; pretty straight to the point and catchy but also easy to implement. I liked that
However, I skipped through a lot of pages, sorry but the whole “journey to India” was a bit too long and cut me off. Also she based a lot of her teachings on faith alone, without clarifying or contextualising it
November 19, 2017
This is one of those earnest self-help books with easy answers to tough issues. Like a lot of books of this ilk, it starts with a premise that has merit: find your passion and you will find success. True enough but if you are to believe this book, that is all you need. And, the author can fill a whole book telling you this same thing in many different ways. It is all so formulaic, with variations such as bringing the author's life experiences into it to demonstrate how really easy it is. I totally agree that it is useful to identify your own personal motivators, but their are so many other requisites in this complex success gumbo, including personality, strengths, behavioral styles, life experiences, mental states, etc.
When I started personal and career coaching, I looked for easy answers like this and mouthed some of the same words as Janet Attwood does. Believe me folks, just finding your passion does not guarantee success. Since it is one dimension, though, I found her "Passion Test" interesting and might be a useful tool in getting started to finding the right path for you. I guess I also bristle at the money-making aspect of this concept. You can go on line and then take the test and then sign up for a variety of expensive programs to guide you along. This is a typical model that puts a lot of money in these entrepreneurs' pockets, but if you are going that route, there are better and more rational ways to spend those hard-earned dollars.
Believe me, folks, there are no easy answers to "discovering your destiny", as the authors claim in the sub-title of the book.
When I started personal and career coaching, I looked for easy answers like this and mouthed some of the same words as Janet Attwood does. Believe me folks, just finding your passion does not guarantee success. Since it is one dimension, though, I found her "Passion Test" interesting and might be a useful tool in getting started to finding the right path for you. I guess I also bristle at the money-making aspect of this concept. You can go on line and then take the test and then sign up for a variety of expensive programs to guide you along. This is a typical model that puts a lot of money in these entrepreneurs' pockets, but if you are going that route, there are better and more rational ways to spend those hard-earned dollars.
Believe me, folks, there are no easy answers to "discovering your destiny", as the authors claim in the sub-title of the book.
June 14, 2017
The first part of the book gives simple strategies for coming to identify your passions and begin to mindfully pursue them. While these strategies are not unique, it does give a good primer on this type of thinking.
I did not like the second part of the book, and would recommend skipping it. This part is comprised of interviews with people who have manifested their passions in their own lives. I found most of these stories and interviews to be hard to connect with, so they didn't really do much to reinforce The Passion Test for me. Several of the interviewees are wealthy business associates of the authors. Many of the stories in this book were about the success people found while sharing The Passion Test with other people. I feel like I was supposed to be impressed, and therefore inspired, by the success of the interviewees in this part of the book. This only really served to make it harder for me to relate their messages to my own life. If they had to include this part of the book (which they totally could have left out completely IMO), I would much rather read about the triumphs of non-rich people building happy and fulfilling lives through The Passion Test.
Honestly I wouldn't recommend that you buy this book, but the first half would be worth a read if you find it for free.
I did not like the second part of the book, and would recommend skipping it. This part is comprised of interviews with people who have manifested their passions in their own lives. I found most of these stories and interviews to be hard to connect with, so they didn't really do much to reinforce The Passion Test for me. Several of the interviewees are wealthy business associates of the authors. Many of the stories in this book were about the success people found while sharing The Passion Test with other people. I feel like I was supposed to be impressed, and therefore inspired, by the success of the interviewees in this part of the book. This only really served to make it harder for me to relate their messages to my own life. If they had to include this part of the book (which they totally could have left out completely IMO), I would much rather read about the triumphs of non-rich people building happy and fulfilling lives through The Passion Test.
Honestly I wouldn't recommend that you buy this book, but the first half would be worth a read if you find it for free.
December 11, 2012
The IDEA of this book is great; however, the implementation is awful! I already believe many of the things the authors are trying to persuade me into; and I'm hating this book because they are making it all about them instead of getting out of the way.
The writing is awful, the tone is selfish/haughty. The content is good, but very widely scattered. This should be a tightly edited novella, article, maybe even a poster (double sided - one for the content, the other side for the "I'm so Enlightened" sales pitches), not a book.
I may not be able to force myself to finish it. AVOID, NOT RECOMMENDED!
The writing is awful, the tone is selfish/haughty. The content is good, but very widely scattered. This should be a tightly edited novella, article, maybe even a poster (double sided - one for the content, the other side for the "I'm so Enlightened" sales pitches), not a book.
I may not be able to force myself to finish it. AVOID, NOT RECOMMENDED!
June 19, 2010
This book is an amazing read! I learned so much about myself and about how I can discover and manifest my destiny. I particularly enjoyed Janet's interviews with transformative people at the end of the book. I
December 29, 2012
I have rarely found a book so easy to follow in terms of a process that helped me clearly determine my focus and actions based on what sings to my soul at a given moment in time. I use it every 6-12 months to help course-correct and re-align... a fabulous tool for personal growth and evolution.
March 14, 2008
I think this is a great book to review your activites and realise your passions in each of them
March 18, 2009
great advice for people searching for clarity about finding what is most important in their lives...and acting in the everyday world in a way that helps you actualize your dream
February 1, 2011
Love the passion test, after taking the test, the stories and what not droned on some. Really good read.
May 5, 2012
changed my life, and has changed the life of all who i've told to read it.
May 8, 2012
LOVE IT!!! I checked it out from the library but I bought it. It is something I will use over and over again to keep my "goals" or passions on track.
May 8, 2012
Life changing!
July 21, 2012
I am loving this book so far, this will be on my list for favorite self help book.
December 8, 2021
Shocked at all the haters on this thread. I love this book as it's truly changed my life! Since starting the PT journey (Jan 2021), my life has turned around tenfold because I've gained great clarity around my potential and what my life could look like. Many of us have limiting beliefs that hold us back. Perhaps the naysayers here don't have that issue which is great for them. I understand that it's not for everybody. Why do I understand that? Because nothing is for everybody! There's no one size fits all program, course, book, etc. The Passion Test allowed me to dream big. In fact, after really drilling down and going through the process, I was so enthralled that I became a facilitator for the Passion Test and also now use it with children and teens. I'm not offering this review because I'm a "facilitator". I'm offering it because I'm living proof that it works. Janet Attwood is brilliant, kind, charitable and real. I've read many books. When they don't "speak" to me, I've never bashed them. I may not enjoy the narrator if an audio book, or the content isn't what I was expecting. However, I've never bashed another's work and/or their person just because I can. Honestly, if it speaks to you, go for it! If not, put it aside or give it away. It's that simple.
April 28, 2018
I was disappointed as this is the 5th book I am reading in relation with passions and purpose of life and I have noticed that all books have a mystic orientation. As a very analytical and pragmatic person, I could not adhere to it and therefore I will, officially, stop reading this kind of books.
Besides, like all the rest, the author does a lot of self-advertisement notably with their website but also a lot of pub regarding the books of their friends.
If you read this book, I suggest you google the names of the persons. For exemple, I noticed that Dr Hagelin who is introduced in this book as a highly acclaimed, successful and awarded SCIENTIST, has been banned from scientific world because of his mystic and pseudo-scientific ideas.
Moreover, the writing style is basic, with some syntax and ponctuation errors.
Nevertheless, I give it 3 stars because it has some interesting and inspirational ideas at the beginning of the book and especially thanks to the positive message and energy I felt while reading it (surely due to the usage of positive words such as fantastic, outstanding or magnificent).
Besides, like all the rest, the author does a lot of self-advertisement notably with their website but also a lot of pub regarding the books of their friends.
If you read this book, I suggest you google the names of the persons. For exemple, I noticed that Dr Hagelin who is introduced in this book as a highly acclaimed, successful and awarded SCIENTIST, has been banned from scientific world because of his mystic and pseudo-scientific ideas.
Moreover, the writing style is basic, with some syntax and ponctuation errors.
Nevertheless, I give it 3 stars because it has some interesting and inspirational ideas at the beginning of the book and especially thanks to the positive message and energy I felt while reading it (surely due to the usage of positive words such as fantastic, outstanding or magnificent).
May 4, 2019
Menetelmä sinällään kuulosti kiinnostavalta ja voisi kai sitä kokeillakin. Harmi vaan, että itse testi aika tehokkaasti hukkui mainoshehkutuksiin, joissa menestyneet (lue: rikkaat ja vaikutusvaltaiset) ihmiset kertoivat kuinka Passion Test taianomaisesti mullisti heidän elämänsä. En epäile etteikö testistä voisi olla hyötyä, mutta uskottavuutta horjutti tehokkaasti se, että kaikki haastateltavat olivat jo valmiiksi varakkaita ja heillä oli paljon kontakteja. Ei ollut yhtään esimerkkiä siitä kuinka vaikkapa köyhä yksinhuoltaja olisi hyötynyt testistä. Helppohan se on etsiskellä intohimojaan, kun ei tarvitse miettiä toimeentuloa. Vaikka kirjoittaja kuinka vakuuttelee, raha ei ilmesty tyhjästä kuin äärimmäisen harvoin. Sovellettuna ja elämän realiteetit ymmärtäen testistä voi toki olla hyötyäkin itsetutkiskelussa ja omien tavoitteiden konkretisoimisessa.
August 3, 2020
Really great self-love category book - a nice, straight to point approach, focusing on the main understanding, that what you put your attention on, grows stronger in your life!
So in order to live a live a more passionated life, get clear on your passions and every time you are faced with a decision - Choose in favor of your passions!
Passions are how you live your life, goals are things, that you achieve!
To get clear on your top 5 passions, use the method explained in the book.
Lot of valuable reminders through out the book, for example:
*Most people spend their time putting their attention on what they lack - instead of what they choose to create! So they get more lack!
*An opinion is just words - we are the ones, who give it a meaning!
*Your life today is the sum of predominant thoughts, that you've had until now!
*You don't need to know the HOW, just the WHY!
So in order to live a live a more passionated life, get clear on your passions and every time you are faced with a decision - Choose in favor of your passions!
Passions are how you live your life, goals are things, that you achieve!
To get clear on your top 5 passions, use the method explained in the book.
Lot of valuable reminders through out the book, for example:
*Most people spend their time putting their attention on what they lack - instead of what they choose to create! So they get more lack!
*An opinion is just words - we are the ones, who give it a meaning!
*Your life today is the sum of predominant thoughts, that you've had until now!
*You don't need to know the HOW, just the WHY!
April 13, 2023
Me encanto este libro , ya que te lleva a determinar cuáles son realmente tus pasiones , te da los pasos a seguir para descubrir exactamente que es eso que te motiva lo que estás dispuesto hacer , lo que quieres obtener y es un libro para leer cuantas veces desees porque somos seres cambiantes y evolutivos que a medida que crecemos o logramos un objetivos nuestras pasiones pueden cambiar por lo cual leer el libro en varias ocasiones te ayuda a saber si tu pasión sigue siendo lo misma o cambio , como en el mismo libro lo recomienda leer por lo menos cada 6 meses. Es una guía para encontrar tu pasión y vivir tu vida siempre apasionada.
August 16, 2017
No good for people without passion
I am one of those people. Sometimes there are interesting thoughts in books like these, even if they are a bit squishy and have no real depth.
There is nothing here for those of you who have no passion. If you don't have a burning desire, this tome is as useful as sand to a thirsty fish.
Don't bother. Spliced between the pitching and up selling is a story that I found myself skipping far too often. Either be a parable or be a non-fiction book, but don't be both AND a fill-in-the-blanks text as well.
I am one of those people. Sometimes there are interesting thoughts in books like these, even if they are a bit squishy and have no real depth.
There is nothing here for those of you who have no passion. If you don't have a burning desire, this tome is as useful as sand to a thirsty fish.
Don't bother. Spliced between the pitching and up selling is a story that I found myself skipping far too often. Either be a parable or be a non-fiction book, but don't be both AND a fill-in-the-blanks text as well.
February 24, 2022
I found this book very easy and enjoyable to read. It made me feel hopeful that the work I'm doing on my own self-improvement and the journey I'm on to truly discover and unearth my gifts, talents and true passions, is headed in the right direction.
The tools provided in the book are clear and easy to follow and the questions posed in the homework assignments often generated very positive outcomes.
Overall, if you're seeking to find your true passions and wanting to understand more of where your innate and natural gifts resonate from, then this would be an ideal book to read!
The tools provided in the book are clear and easy to follow and the questions posed in the homework assignments often generated very positive outcomes.
Overall, if you're seeking to find your true passions and wanting to understand more of where your innate and natural gifts resonate from, then this would be an ideal book to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews