How to write expression of interest: A No-Nonsense Guide for Aussies

Welcome to ‘Life Skills No One Teaches You’, the series where we break down the practical stuff that actually moves the needle in your career and life. Today, we’re tackling a seriously powerful tool: the Expression of Interest, or EOI. Think of it as your secret weapon for getting a foot in the door for an unadvertised job, securing a government grant, or kicking off a business partnership that could change everything. The goal here is to give you a clear method so you can learn how to write expression of interest today and feel confident doing it.

The Underrated Skill of Writing an Expression of Interest

A young man in a suit works on a laptop, next to a notebook with ' How to Write Expression of Interest'.

Let’s get one thing straight: an EOI is not just a shorter resume or a desperate plea for a job. A great EOI is a strategic move. It’s a proactive document that shows you’ve spotted a need or an opportunity within an organisation and that you’re the person who can help address it. It’s your chance to start a conversation on your terms.

Forget the corporate jargon and confusion that usually surrounds this topic. This guide breaks down exactly how to write expression of interest with a simple, straightforward framework that works in any Australian context, from a small business in Perth to a government department in Canberra.

Think of me as an older brother who’s been through it. My goal is to give you a practical plan to help you make intentional moves instead of just winging it and hoping for the best. This skill is about more than just writing. It’s about clarifying what you want, communicating it professionally, and following through without spiralling into self-doubt. Knowing how to write expression of interest is a life skill that pays dividends.

Why This Skill Matters More Than You Think

Mastering how to write expression of interest is a game-changer because it puts you in control. Instead of passively waiting for opportunities to pop up on job boards, you create them. This is especially crucial in Australia, where so many roles and contracts are filled through networks and proactive outreach long before they’re ever advertised.

A well-crafted EOI can help you:

Access the “hidden job market” by approaching companies you admire directly.
Show initiative and confidence, two qualities every employer or partner values.
Position yourself as a problem-solver, not just another applicant with a list of qualifications.
Start a meaningful conversation that can lead to interviews, partnerships, or project collaborations.

An Expression of Interest is your opening move in a professional chess game. It’s not about shouting for attention. It’s about showing you understand the board and have a strategy to help the other player win.

This guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding the purpose to structuring your document for maximum impact. If you feel lost trying to figure out your next step, remember that getting this clarity is exactly what we work on at Your Bro. A free discovery call can be the first step to building a solid plan for your career.

Setting the Foundation for a Powerful EOI

Hands typing on a laptop displaying data and charts, with 'Who?', 'Problem', 'Solve' sticky notes and coffee.

Before you even think about typing a single word, let’s get your head in the right space. Writing a good EOI is one of those crucial life skills nobody really teaches you, but it can make all the difference. This is a core part of the “Life Skills No One Teaches You” philosophy: building practical abilities that get you real-world results.

A huge mistake I see people make is treating an EOI like a shorter version of their resume or just another cover letter. It’s not. Think of it as a strategic pitch. Its entire purpose is to spark enough curiosity to start a conversation.

You’re making the first move, showing them you’ve actually thought about their world before asking for their time. That shift in perspective is the whole game. Getting this right is fundamental to knowing how to write expression of interest.

The Three Foundational Questions

To make sure your EOI actually lands, you have to get clear on three things before you start writing. Nail these, and you’re 90% of the way there.

Who are you writing to? I mean, really who? A hiring manager, a grant committee, a potential business partner? Figuring out their role tells you what they care about most.
What specific problem do they have? No one puts out a job ad or offers a grant for fun. They’ve got a need, a gap to fill. Your job is to figure out that specific pain point.
How do you solve it? This is your core message. You need to draw a straight line from your skills and experience directly to their problem. Show them you’re not just looking for an opportunity. You’re bringing the solution.

This is where knowing your own purpose really pays off. When you’re solid on what you bring to the table, it’s so much easier to explain how you can help someone else. It’s a challenge I see all the time, and it’s a core part of the coaching we do here at Your Bro. We help young men define and articulate their own value without the guesswork. The skill of how to write expression of interest starts with self-awareness.

Conducting Quick and Effective Research

The answers to those questions won’t just magically appear. You’ve got to do a little digging. Don’t stress, this is not about spending days buried in research. A focused 30 minutes is often more than enough.

Start with their company website, especially the ‘About Us’ and ‘News’ sections. Then, jump on LinkedIn and look up the key people in the department or organisation. What kind of language do they use? What projects are they getting excited about? This stuff is absolute gold. For government EOIs, review the tender documents on platforms like AusTender. A great resource from the Australian Government Business portal explains how to find opportunities.

Your research goal is simple: find the gap between where the organisation is and where they want to go. Your EOI positions you as the bridge to close that gap.

Getting this foundation right is critical if you want to know how to write expression of interest that actually gets a response. Just look at the competitive Australian job market. With over 1.2 million young professionals recently navigating career changes, the ones who stand out are the ones who do this work. In fact, tailored EOIs with a clear purpose statement received 35% more interview callbacks than generic applications.

To see how others structure their initial pitch, it can be useful to look at examples like these Sample Letters of Inquiry for Grants. Learning how to write expression of interest built on solid research and a genuine understanding of what the other person needs will put you miles ahead of the competition.

The Anatomy of a Winning EOI Blueprint

A paper template for an Expression of Interest (EOI) letter, with labeled sections, a pen, and glasses.

Right, let’s pull this thing apart and see how it works. The good news is that nearly every successful EOI follows the same basic structure. Once you get your head around this blueprint, you can tweak it for any scenario. Whether you’re chasing a new role, a project grant, or a business partnership, the principles are the same.

We’re going to break down each component, giving you a simple, repeatable framework. This is where we move from theory to action and get practical about how to write expression of interest that actually gets read.

The Opening Hook: Your Subject Line and Intro

First impressions count, and for an EOI, that starts with your email subject line. It needs to be professional, clear, and just interesting enough to earn that click. Whatever you do, avoid dead-on-arrival titles like “Job Application”.

You need to be specific and show your value from the get-go.

For an unsolicited job EOI: “Expression of Interest: Experienced Digital Marketer with a Focus on E-commerce Growth”
For a government tender: “Expression of Interest: [Your Company Name] for [Project Name/Number]”
For a partnership proposal: “Partnership Inquiry: Exploring a Collaboration Between [Your Company] and [Their Company]”

Your opening paragraph then needs to immediately connect the dots for the reader. State who you are, why you’re writing to them specifically, and what you’re bringing to the table. Think of it as your thirty-second elevator pitch, but on paper.

The Core of Your Message: Connecting Your Value to Their Need

This is the guts of your EOI. It’s where you build your case. Forget listing every single job you’ve ever had. Instead, zero in on two or three key achievements or skills that directly solve a problem you’ve identified through your research. This is the heart of learning how to write expression of interest well.

Try structuring this section to tell a story of value.

Start with their potential need: “I understand many growing tech firms in Sydney are facing challenges with scaling their customer support operations efficiently.”
Offer your specific solution: “In my previous role at Company X, I led a project that implemented a new ticketing system, reducing response times by 40% and increasing customer satisfaction scores by 15%.”
Bring it back to them: “I am confident a similar approach could deliver significant results for your team.”

To give you a simple blueprint, here’s how the essential components of any effective EOI fit together.

Core EOI Structure Breakdown

Section	Purpose	Example Snippet (Job Application)
Introduction	State your purpose and who you are, making an immediate connection.	“I’m writing to express my strong interest in a potential Senior Project Manager role at Your Company.”
Body Paragraph 1	Align your top skill/achievement with their biggest need or goal.	“I noticed your recent expansion into the APAC region, and my experience launching three similar projects in this market could be valuable.”
Body Paragraph 2	Provide a second concrete example with a measurable result.	“I increased project efficiency by 25% by introducing an Agile framework, a skill set I believe would benefit your team.”
Closing/CTA	Propose a clear, easy next step and reiterate your enthusiasm.	“I have attached my CV and would welcome a brief 15-minute chat next week to discuss this further.”

This table shows how each piece builds on the last, guiding the reader from initial interest to a clear action.

The golden rule is to use the ‘You’ lens, not the ‘I’ lens. Frame every point around their needs, their goals, and their problems. This simple shift is a massive part of understanding how to write expression of interest that gets results.

This approach forces you to be crystal clear on what you offer and how it helps them. If you’re struggling to connect those dots for yourself, that’s a classic sign you might need an outside perspective. It’s something we tackle head-on in our coaching sessions at Your Bro, helping guys articulate their worth without feeling like they’re bragging.

The Powerful Closing: Your Call to Action

The final part of your EOI is arguably the most important. You’ve made your case, and now you need to make it incredibly easy for them to take the next step. A weak closing like “I look forward to hearing from you” just leaves all the work in their court.

Be polite but direct with a clear call to action.

Suggest a specific next step: Propose a “brief 15-minute call next week to discuss this further.”
Offer more value: Mention a portfolio, case study, or a more detailed proposal you can share.
Reiterate your enthusiasm: End on a positive, confident note that reinforces your genuine interest.

By providing a clear path forward, you remove friction and seriously increase your chances of getting a response. To really see how these concepts come together, it helps to look at a real-world Australian example. This guide offers a great breakdown of a winning express of interest sample that can help it all click. Remember, you’re not just asking for a favour. You’re proposing a valuable conversation.

Getting Your EOI Right for Different Aussie Contexts

A generic, copy-paste EOI is the quickest way to land in the ‘delete’ folder. It’s a simple fact. An application for a hip creative agency in Melbourne needs a totally different vibe than one for a government tender in Canberra. Nailing this tailoring process is what separates the serious contenders from the time-wasters. It’s a key part of how to write expression of interest effectively.

Honestly, this is just a core life skill. It’s about reading the room. You have to show you’ve done your homework and that you respect the reader’s time by speaking their language. It proves you get their world, which is a massive first step toward convincing them you belong in it.

This is not about just tweaking a few words here and there. It’s about fundamentally shifting your perspective to line up with the exact audience you’re trying to reach. That level of thoughtfulness immediately puts you ahead of the pack.

Cracking the Corporate Code

When you’re targeting a private company, your first port of call is their website. Specifically, the “About Us” or “Our Values” page. This is not just corporate fluff. It’s the exact language they use to describe themselves, and your job is to mirror it right back at them.

If they’re all about “innovation and disruption”, frame your achievements around projects where you challenged the status quo or brought new ideas to life.
If their whole deal is “customer-centric solutions”, then you need to highlight your experience in roles that directly boosted customer satisfaction or improved the user experience.

By using their language, you show you’re a cultural fit before they even reply. It signals that you actually understand what makes them tick. If you’re struggling to figure out what your own core drivers are, our guide on how to identify your personal values can be a really helpful starting point.

Navigating Government and Tenders

Government applications are a completely different beast. They are usually formal, highly structured, and obsessed with mitigating risk and following process. Forget the creative flair. Your EOI needs to scream competence and reliability.

Even if selection criteria are not explicitly requested in the initial EOI, it’s a smart move to subtly address them anyway. Frame your skills using public sector language. Think accountability, process improvement, and delivering value for the taxpayer. You’re showing them you’re a safe pair of hands, a dependable choice. For more specific advice, resources like the Victorian Government’s guide to writing a strong application are invaluable.

Pitching Partnerships and Collaborations

When your EOI is for a business partnership or collaboration, the game changes again. It’s not just about what you can do anymore. It’s about what you can build together. The central theme has to be mutual benefit.

Your EOI needs to lay out a crystal-clear value proposition. How will this partnership help them hit their goals? What unique skills, market access, or resources are you bringing to the table? Keep it clear, concise, and compelling. This context really tests your ability to answer the question of how to write expression of interest.

A tailored EOI is a sign of respect. It tells the reader, “I’ve invested my time to understand you before asking for yours.” This simple act builds immediate rapport and trust.

Ultimately, getting results comes down to this customisation. If you’re finding it tough to clarify your message or adapt it for different audiences, this is exactly the kind of hurdle we can clear together. Let’s jump on a free discovery call and get you the clarity you need to communicate your value effectively. This is what Your Bro coaching is all about: helping you get unstuck.

Common EOI Mistakes That Lead to Silence

Crumpled paper beside a document titled 'Final EOI' with handwritten notes on a sunlit desk.

Let’s talk about the traps. So many smart, capable people fire off their EOI into the world only to be met with deafening silence. It’s frustrating as hell, and it nearly always comes down to a few simple, avoidable mistakes. Knowing how to write expression of interest is just as much about knowing what not to do.

Think of me as the older brother who’ll give you the straight-up feedback others won’t. I’ve seen these same mistakes trip people up time and time again. The good news? Once you spot them, you can easily sidestep them.

The Number One Mistake: It’s All About You

This is the big one. Most people write an EOI that screams, “I need something from you.” It ends up being a laundry list of their skills, their goals, and what they want. While that’s all-important to you, the person reading it is thinking one thing: “What’s in it for me?”.

An EOI that’s just a monologue about your own needs will almost always get deleted. You have to flip the script. Your EOI should be a mirror, reflecting their problems back at them with you standing there as the solution.

Shift your mindset from “Here’s what I want” to “Here’s how I can solve a problem you have”. That single change will dramatically lift your response rate.

Vague Language and Generic Buzzwords

Another classic pitfall is leaning on fuzzy, non-committal language. Phrases like “team player,” “results-oriented,” or “dynamic professional” are completely meaningless. They’re just background noise that every other applicant is using, and they make the reader’s eyes glaze over.

Instead of being vague, be brutally specific.

Don’t say: “I have strong communication skills.”
Do say: “I led weekly project meetings for a team of ten, which resulted in a 15% improvement in our project delivery times.”

Hard numbers and quantifiable achievements cut straight through the fluff. This is especially true in growing fields. Take Australia’s digital coaching market, for example. Expressions of interest with data-backed results outperformed generic ones by a massive 45% when it came to landing gigs.

Sending an Unreadable Wall of Text

Let’s be real: no one has time to wade through a dense, multi-page document from a stranger. Your EOI has to be scannable and easy to digest. If a hiring manager opens your email and sees an intimidating block of text, they’re likely to just close it without reading a single word.

Keep your paragraphs short. Use bullet points for your key achievements. Leave plenty of white space. The goal is to make your value jump right off the page.

This is a common hurdle, and it’s often tied to a deeper issue like procrastination or just not being sure what to say. If you find yourself stuck staring at a blank page, it’s a sign that you might need a hand getting clear on your message. The whole point of Your Bro coaching is to help young men clarify what they want, communicate it professionally, and follow through without spiralling.

From Reading to Doing: Your Action Plan

Alright, you now have the complete blueprint for how to write an expression of interest. You get the mindset behind it, you know how to structure it, and you’re wise to the common stuff-ups that trip most people up.

But here’s the thing: all that knowledge is completely useless without action.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick just one opportunity. A job, a project, maybe even a partnership. Get a first draft of your EOI done. Today. Don’t get lost in your head, and definitely don’t aim for perfection. Just get something down on the page.

Remember what this is all about: communicating your value clearly and professionally. This is a practical skill, and like any other, the only way you get better is by actually doing it. The first one is always the hardest, so let’s get it out of the way.

Your Simple Next Steps

Here’s a small, totally manageable checklist to get the ball rolling:

Identify One Target: Pick one organisation or role you’re genuinely interested in. Just one.
Do 20 Minutes of Research: Spend a bit of time figuring out their key problem or what they’re trying to achieve. What’s their main goal right now?
Draft Your EOI: Use the blueprint we’ve covered. Don’t edit while you write. Just let the ideas flow and get them out.
Review and Refine: Sleep on it. Come back to it the next day with fresh eyes and then start polishing.

If you find yourself stuck, second-guessing everything, or just are not sure if your draft actually hits the mark… well, that’s exactly what I’m here for.

This is the point where theory smacks into reality, and it’s where most people give up. Don’t let that be you. Taking this one small action is the only thing standing between you and the result you want.

At Your Bro, we help young men get clear on their goals and learn to communicate with real confidence. If you need someone in your corner to give your draft a once-over or just help you get started, book a free discovery call. Let’s turn that idea into a genuine opportunity.

And if you want to get more organised with your broader goals, have a look at our guide on creating a personal development plan template.

Got Questions About EOIs?

Right, let’s tackle a few of the common questions that always seem to pop up when you’re figuring out how to write expression of interest. Getting these small details sorted can make a massive difference in how you come across.

Think of this as the final polish before you hit send. The stuff that helps you look sharp and professional right from that first hello.

How Long Should an Expression of Interest Be?

The golden rule here is to keep it tight. You’re aiming for roughly one A4 page, which usually lands somewhere between 300 and 500 words.

The whole point is to make an impact and get them curious, not to bury them in paperwork. An EOI is your highlight reel, a sharp introduction to who you are and the value you can bring. It’s not your life story. Save the deep dive for your resume or, better yet, the chat you’re trying to land.

EOI vs Cover Letter: What’s the Difference?

This is a classic point of confusion, but the distinction is actually pretty simple once you get it.

A cover letter is your direct response to a specific job ad. You’ve seen a role, and you’re making your case for why you’re the best person for that job.
An Expression of Interest is more proactive. You’re often sending it “cold” to an organisation you admire, asking about opportunities that might not even be advertised. It can also be a formal first step for things like government grants or business tenders.

Put it this way: a cover letter says, “I’m perfect for the job you advertised.” An EOI says, “I think I can bring real value to your organisation, and I’d love to talk about how.”

Should I Follow Up After Sending an EOI?

One hundred percent, yes. A polite, professional follow-up is a game-changer. It shows you’re genuinely keen and on the ball, and it bumps your name back to the top of their inbox without being annoying.

If you have not heard back within a week or two, it’s completely fine to send a brief follow-up email.

A simple follow-up can honestly double your chances of getting a response. It shows initiative and persistence. These are two things every single organisation is looking for.

Just restate how interested you are in the company and politely ask if they’ve had a chance to look over what you sent. This small step is a crucial part of knowing how to write expression of interest that actually gets results. It proves you’re serious, not just firing off applications into the void.

Feeling a bit stuck or overwhelmed by all this? Good. It means you’re pushing yourself, and that’s exactly where growth happens. At Your Bro, we specialise in helping young men get the clarity and confidence to take these kinds of professional steps. If you want a guide to help you nail your message and follow through, book a free discovery call.

Find out more about Your Bro coaching services

How to Find Your Passion and Build a Life You Actually Love

yourbro January 4, 2026 9:26 pm

Let’s be real for a moment. Being told to “just find your passion” is some of the most frustrating, unhelpful advice you can get. It makes it sound like your purpose is a single, mythical treasure buried somewhere, and if you just dig hard enough, you’ll have a life-changing epiphany.

For you, and for most of us, life just doesn’t work that way. It’s not a lightning strike of inspiration. This pressure to find the one thing often leaves you feeling stuck, guilty, or even broken because nothing seems to ignite that magical spark everyone talks about.

The problem isn’t you; it’s the whole premise. This guide is here to give you a practical, actionable plan that puts you back in control.

A thoughtful young man with a map, notebook, and compass, planning an adventure or seeking direction. How to find your passion.

From Myth to Your Action Plan

Here’s the truth I’ve learned from years of coaching people through this exact struggle: Passions aren’t found, they’re built. They grow from a flicker of curiosity you already have, nurtured with a bit of effort and real-world experience.

It’s less of a sudden discovery and more of a slow burn that you develop over time.

So, let’s ditch the frustrating spiritual quest. Your real goal is much more practical and, honestly, much more achievable: to build a life that actually aligns with your values, strengths, and curiosities. When you frame it like that, it stops being this overwhelming search and becomes a manageable project you can start today.

“The moment you start viewing every interest through the lens of income, it becomes another task, another job, another performance. Passion doesn’t thrive under pressure, it needs breathing room.”

This shift in mindset is the key to your success. It gives you permission to explore, to play, and even to “fail” without the crushing weight of expectation that every interest needs to become a career. This creates the space you need for experimentation, which is where the real magic happens.

Before we dive into the ‘how’, let’s lock in this mindset shift. It’s the foundation that will make everything else possible for you.

The Mindset Shift That Unlocks Your Potential

The Old Way (Keeps You Stuck)	Your New Actionable Approach
Waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration.	Actively following small sparks of your curiosity.
Searching for one perfect, lifelong “calling”.	Building multiple interests and skills over time.
Believing passion should feel easy and effortless.	Understanding that passion grows through your effort.
Fearing you’ll pick the “wrong” thing.	Running small experiments to see what sticks for you.
Needing to have it all figured out before you start.	Taking small, messy actions to gather real data.

Seeing the difference? One approach keeps you stuck in your head, while the other gets you out into the world, learning and growing. This is about empowering you to take action.

A Practical Framework for Your Discovery

To make this journey less abstract and more concrete for you, I’ve broken it down into a simple, three-part framework. This isn’t about vague encouragement; it’s an actionable path you can actually walk.

Here’s your game plan:

Look Inward (Self-Discovery): You’ll start by gathering data on the most important subject: you. This means getting brutally honest about where your energy goes, doing a proper audit of your skills (the ones you enjoy using!), and pinpointing the kinds of problems you genuinely get a kick out of solving.
Look Outward (Exploration): Next, you’ll take those internal insights and put them to the test in the real world. I’ll show you how to run tiny, low-risk “micro-experiments” to explore your interests without having to quit your job or blow up your life.
Take Action (Integration): Finally, you’ll connect the dots. This is where you learn how to turn a promising spark into something tangible, whether that’s a new hobby that lights you up, a side project, or even the beginnings of a career pivot that feels right for you.

This structured approach takes the guesswork out of the equation. It’s not about waiting around for inspiration to strike; it’s about giving you the tools to proactively build a more engaging and purposeful life, one intentional step at a time.

Doing a Personal Self-Audit to Uncover What Really Drives You

Before you can build a life that feels right, you first need to understand your own operating system. This isn’t about some woo-woo navel-gazing; it’s about gathering real, practical data on yourself so you can make smarter decisions.

Just like a business audits its finances to see where the money is really going, you need to audit your personal landscape. Where do your time, energy, and focus actually go each day? Answering this will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

This process moves you past the vague question of “what’s my passion?” and onto much more solid ground. You’re looking for patterns in what genuinely lights you up versus what leaves you feeling completely drained. Think of it as laying the foundation of self-awareness you’ll need before you start looking at career paths or new hobbies.

You can’t draw a map to where you’re going if you don’t even know where you are. This self-audit is your “You Are Here” pin on that map.

Uncover Clues with Targeted Journaling

Just writing in a journal is fine, but to get results, you need to be more strategic. You’re not just rambling about your day; you’re hunting for specific clues about what makes you tick. The goal is to get past the surface-level answers and discover what truly motivates you.

Instead of asking yourself massive, overwhelming questions, try these more pointed prompts. Just spend 10-15 minutes on one or two of them. Don’t censor yourself; the answers are for your eyes only, and they hold the key.

What kind of problems do I actually enjoy solving? Think beyond your job. Do you get a kick out of organising a messy garage, figuring out a complex video game strategy, or helping a mate untangle a personal drama? The answer reveals how your mind works.
What topics do I find myself reading about or watching videos on in my spare time, with no real goal in mind? This points directly to your natural, unfiltered curiosities.
When did I last lose track of time? What was I doing? This is a huge sign you were in a state of ‘flow,’ where the challenge you were facing was perfectly matched to your skills.
What do my friends or family always ask for my help with? This often points to skills you take for granted in yourself, but that others clearly see and value in you.

This isn’t a one-and-done thing. Revisit these questions weekly to see what new patterns emerge. You’re building a library of personal data that will start pointing you toward genuinely fulfilling activities.

Run a Personal Energy Audit

Passion isn’t just an idea in your head; it’s a feeling. It’s the energy you get from an activity. To find it, you need to become a detective of your own energy levels. A simple Energy Audit is a seriously powerful tool that will give you instant clarity.

For one week, track your main activities each day and give them a quick rating based on how they made you feel. You can use a notebook or a basic spreadsheet with three columns:

Activity	Time Spent	Energy Level (After)
Team meeting about budgets	1 hour	Drained (-2)
Helping a new team member	30 mins	Energised (+1)
Scrolling Instagram	45 mins	Numb (0)
Brainstorming a new project	1 hour	Excited (+2)

After a week, you’ll have a clear, data-driven picture of what gives you energy and what sucks it away. You might be shocked to find that a small, overlooked part of your day is actually the most rewarding bit.

Key Takeaway: Your energy is your most valuable currency in this search. By tracking where it goes, you can consciously start investing more of it in the things that fill your tank, not empty it.

This audit gives you concrete evidence, cutting through the confusion of what you think you should enjoy versus what you actually do.

Map Your Skills and Curiosities

The final piece of your self-audit is to create a simple inventory of your skills. This has nothing to do with polishing your resume; it’s about getting an honest look at what you can do and where you want to grow, helping you connect your interests to real-world actions.

Grab a piece of paper and divide it into two columns:

Skills I Have & Enjoy Using: List everything you’re good at that you genuinely like doing. This could be anything from ‘explaining complex ideas simply,’ to ‘building detailed spreadsheets,’ or ‘making people feel comfortable at a party.’ Be honest with yourself.
Skills I Want to Develop: What are you curious about? This could be anything. Maybe it’s ‘learning basic graphic design,’ ‘getting better at public speaking,’ or ‘understanding how to code.’

Looking at these two lists side-by-side will spark powerful connections. For example, if you enjoy explaining complex ideas and you’re curious about graphic design, perhaps creating educational infographics is a path worth exploring for you. This simple map turns your abstract interests into potential micro-experiments you can actually test.

If you’re a young bloke in Sydney, scrolling TikTok late at night and feeling a bit directionless, know that you’re far from alone. The Australia digital health coaching market, which includes services helping people find their purpose, hit USD 197.4 million in revenue in 2024. That number is projected to more than double to USD 409.6 million by 2030, driven by a massive demand from young Aussies just like you, wrestling with a lack of purpose in a world full of noise. It just shows how many people are out there actively looking for guidance. You can find out more about the rise of digital coaching in Australia.

Right, so all that soul-searching is great, but it’s pretty useless if it doesn’t lead to you actually doing something. The insights you’ve pulled together from your self-audit? They’re your starting line, not the finish. Now you get to move from thinking to doing. It’s time to take what you’ve uncovered and put it to the test in the real world.

Now, hold on. Forget any dramatic ideas about quitting your job tomorrow to become a potter or packing up and moving to Italy. That’s the kind of high-stakes pressure that leads straight to paralysis. Instead, you’re going to use what I call ‘micro-experiments’. These are small, low-risk, and almost always low-cost ways for you to take your curiosities for a test drive.

This whole approach is about one thing: gathering data. Every experiment, whether it feels like a “win” or a “flop,” is just information for you. It completely removes the fear of getting it wrong and reframes the entire process as pure exploration. You’re not committing to a new life path; you’re just trying something out for an afternoon.

This is all about building on the foundation you’ve already laid. The simple process of journaling, auditing your energy, and analysing your skills gives you the raw material you need to design your first experiments.

Diagram illustrating a three-step self-audit process for personal and professional growth.

This three-step flow: “Journal, Audit, and Analyse Skills” gives you everything you need to create targeted micro-experiments that actually line up with who you are.

Designing Your First Experiment

A solid micro-experiment for you needs to be specific, time-bound, and low-stakes. The goal is for you to get a genuine feel for an activity without needing a massive commitment of time, money, or ego. The trick is to take a big, vague interest and shrink it down to its smallest possible, actionable step.

Let’s look at how this works in practice. Notice how you can turn a fuzzy idea into a concrete, manageable task.

Your Vague Interest: “I think I might like coding.”
- Your Micro-Experiment: Complete a free, two-hour ‘Introduction to Python’ tutorial on YouTube this Saturday afternoon.
Your Vague Interest: “Maybe digital marketing is for me.”
- Your Micro-Experiment: Offer to run the social media for a local charity or a mate’s small business for one month, committing to just three posts a week.
Your Vague Interest: “I’ve always been curious about woodworking.”
- Your Micro-Experiment: Sign up for a one-day beginner’s workshop at a local community centre to build a simple birdhouse.

Each of these experiments delivers a real, tangible experience. Trust me, you’ll learn far more from two hours of actually writing code than you will from 20 hours of watching videos about what it’s like to be a coder.

The Power of Data Collection

Think of yourself as a scientist studying a fascinating subject: you. The point of each micro-experiment isn’t to decide if this is your “one true passion” for life. It’s just to collect data that will guide your next step.

After you finish an experiment, give yourself just 15 minutes to reflect. Don’t overthink it. Just jot down some quick notes to these questions.

Questions to Ask Yourself After Your Experiment:

Energy Check: Did this activity leave me feeling more energised or more drained than when I started?
Flow State: Did I lose track of time at any point, or was I constantly watching the clock?
Problem-Solving: What specific bits of the activity did I enjoy most? Was it the creative brainstorming, the technical troubleshooting, or seeing the final result?
Curiosity Level: Am I more curious to learn more about this now, or has my interest kind of faded?

This process turns your vague feelings into usable insights. You might discover you loved the logical puzzle of coding but hated staring at a screen for hours. That’s a crucial piece of data for you! It tells you to look for other things that involve similar problem-solving skills but in a totally different environment.

You’re not looking for a perfect score on the first try. You’re looking for clues. A “failed” experiment that shows you what you don’t like is just as valuable as one that confirms an interest.

This approach keeps you moving forward, stopping that “analysis paralysis” that comes from trying to map out the perfect path from your armchair.

Creating a System for Your Exploration

To keep your momentum going, it really helps to build a simple system for your experiments. Don’t just do one and stop. Aim to run one small experiment every couple of weeks. This builds a powerful habit of curiosity and action that will lead you to a breakthrough.

Here’s a simple framework to organise your thoughts and keep you on track.

My Interest Area	My Micro-Experiment Idea	My Time/Cost Commitment	What I Hope to Learn About Myself
Graphic Design	Design a simple logo for a fictional brand using a free tool like Canva.	3 hours / $0	Do I enjoy the creative process of visual branding?
Writing	Write a 500-word blog post on a topic from my self-audit and post it on a free platform.	4 hours / $0	Does the process of structuring my thoughts and writing them down feel rewarding to me?
Public Speaking	Join a local Toastmasters club as a guest for one meeting.	2 hours / ~$20 guest fee	Can I handle the nerves, and do I enjoy the challenge of speaking to a group?

This structure makes your exploration intentional. It turns a chaotic search into a clear project with measurable steps and learning goals. Over time, you’ll build a rich portfolio of experiences that paint a clear picture of what truly engages you.

This is how you find your passion, not by waiting for a lightning bolt, but by actively building a life aligned with your curiosity, one small experiment at a time.

Overcoming the Fear and Paralysis Holding You Back

You’ve done the hard yards on the internal work. You’ve even got a few micro-experiments lined up, ready to go. Then, it hits you: a brick wall of fear.

It’s that little voice whispering, “What if I fail?” or “What will people think?” This is exactly where your journey to find your passion can grind to a screeching halt.

Let me tell you, this paralysis is completely normal. Stepping outside your comfort zone is bloody terrifying. The goal isn’t to get rid of the fear. Your real mission is to learn how to act despite it.

You need to treat these mental roadblocks just like any other problem, by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. And it all starts with getting brutally honest about what’s really holding you back.

Name Your Fears to Tame Them

A vague, undefined fear feels huge and insurmountable. But when you drag it kicking and screaming into the light, it often shrinks. This is the core idea behind a powerful technique called ‘fear-setting’. Instead of setting goals, you map out your fears in detail to regain control.

Grab a piece of paper and draw three columns. This simple exercise can be an absolute game-changer for you.

Define: What’s the absolute worst-case scenario if you try this new thing and it doesn’t work out? Get specific. Don’t just write “I’ll fail.” Write “I’ll spend $50 on a workshop and feel like I wasted a Saturday.”
Prevent: What small, practical steps could you take to stop that worst-case from happening, or at least reduce the odds? For the workshop example, you could read a few reviews or watch some free videos on the topic first to see if you’re genuinely interested.
Repair: If the worst does happen, what could you do to get back to where you are now? In this case, you’d be out $50 and a few hours, but you’d have gained solid data about what you don’t enjoy. The “damage” is tiny.

When you see it laid out like this, you start to realise most of your fears are temporary and reversible. It’s rarely the catastrophe your mind makes it out to be.

Breaking Free from Outside Expectations

Another huge source of paralysis is the weight of other people’s expectations. You worry about what your parents, partners, or mates will think if you stray from the “sensible” path. This pressure can be suffocating, making you second-guess your own gut feelings.

It’s absolutely critical for you to learn how to separate their definition of success from your own. Whose life are you actually living? Sometimes, your deepest fears aren’t about your own failure, but about disappointing others.

This journey is yours and yours alone. Giving yourself permission to pursue something just for you, not for status, not for a paycheque, but for the pure joy of it, is one of the most freeing things you can do.

This might mean having some tough conversations, or it might just mean quietly giving yourself permission to explore your interests without needing anyone else’s approval. Your future self will thank you for it.

Using Action to Defeat Analysis Paralysis

Sometimes the roadblock isn’t fear, but “analysis paralysis”, endlessly researching, planning, and thinking without ever actually doing anything. You get stuck trying to find the perfect first step. The best way for you to break this cycle is with ridiculously small actions.

Enter the ‘five-minute rule’.

Whatever it is you’re putting off, just commit to doing it for five minutes. That’s it. If you want to learn guitar, pick it up and watch one beginner tutorial for five minutes. Curious about writing? Open a document and just type for five minutes.

Often, starting is the hardest part. This tiny commitment tricks your brain into bypassing that initial resistance. More often than not, you’ll find you keep going long after the five minutes are up, building momentum effortlessly.

This principle of using discipline to build momentum is incredibly powerful. For instance, look at the rise of digital fitness coaching in Australia. The market soared to USD 242.42 million in 2024 and is projected to hit USD 437.88 million by 2033. This growth is partly driven by young men realising that the discipline gained from fitness gives them the mental toughness to pursue other passions.

Turning a Spark of Interest into a Tangible Plan

Alright, you’ve done a few micro-experiments and felt that genuine flicker of excitement. Don’t underestimate this moment. It’s a huge step, moving you from just being curious to knowing there’s something real there worth digging into.

But what now? This is the exact point where so many people get stuck. That tiny flame of interest feels great, but they have no idea how to stop it from fizzling out.

The trick is to shift gears from random exploration to intentional planning. It’s about building a solid bridge between a fleeting interest and an actual, tangible goal you can work towards. This isn’t about making a rash, life-changing decision overnight. It’s a methodical process of connecting the dots from your self-audit and experiments to create a realistic plan that actually fits your life.

Map Your Potential Pathways

Before you can build a plan, you need a destination. A newfound passion doesn’t automatically have to become your next career. You need to be brutally honest with yourself about what role you genuinely want this to play in your life.

Generally, you’ve got three main pathways to think about:

A Fulfilling Hobby: This is all about your pure enjoyment, with zero pressure to make a cent. It’s about carving out time for something that recharges you, whether that’s weekend woodworking, finally learning the guitar, or mastering landscape photography.
A Side Hustle: Here, you start exploring ways to earn a bit of income from your interest without quitting your day job. This could be anything from selling handmade goods online to offering freelance writing services or coaching the local footy team on weekends.
A New Career Trajectory: This is the big one, a deliberate pivot in your professional life. It requires the most research and planning, as you’ll need to understand the industry, what qualifications you might need, and what the job prospects really look like.

Getting clear on which path feels right for you right now is absolutely critical. It defines the scale of your plan and keeps your expectations in check, which stops a joyful hobby from being crushed under the weight of financial pressure.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking every passion has to become a paycheque. Sometimes, the most valuable thing an interest gives you is a sense of joy and purpose that has nothing to do with your work life.

Build a Realistic Action Plan

Once you’ve got a potential pathway in mind, it’s time to break it down into small, achievable steps. A vague goal like “become a graphic designer” is completely overwhelming and just leads to paralysis. A proper, structured plan, on the other hand, builds the momentum you need.

Start by working backwards. If you want to end up at your chosen destination, what skills, knowledge, or resources would you need to get there?

Example Scenario: Your Interest in Podcasting

Let’s say your experiments with recording and editing audio felt amazing, and you’re thinking about turning it into a side hustle.

Define Your Next Milestone: Launch the first three episodes of your podcast. That’s specific and measurable.
Identify Necessary Skills: You’ll need to learn basic audio editing, how to structure an episode, and some marketing fundamentals to get it out there.
List Your Actionable Steps:
- Research and buy a decent entry-level microphone.
- Complete a 4-hour online course on the editing software Audacity.
- Brainstorm and outline your first five episode ideas.
- Record and edit episode one by the end of the month.

See how that works? A step-by-step approach turns a massive ambition into a simple to-do list, making your progress feel inevitable instead of impossible.

The Value of Accountability and Guidance

Making a plan is one thing; actually sticking to it when life gets in the way is another beast entirely. This is where accountability becomes a game-changer for your success.

Sharing your goals with a mate you trust, joining a community of people on a similar path, or working with a coach can give you the structure and support you need to stay on track.

There’s a reason the life coaching industry in Australia is booming. Oceania alone clocked $195 million in coaching revenue in 2023, which is part of a global $5.34 billion industry. Research consistently shows that coaching delivers a huge return on investment and can boost self-esteem by as much as 80% giving people like you the confidence to actually chase their goals. It just goes to show how valuable a bit of external guidance can be when you’re turning a spark into a real plan.

If you feel you need that external push and a solid framework to hold you accountable, exploring professional life coaching services can provide the personalised support to turn your plan into reality.

Got Questions About Finding Your Passion?

As you start making progress, it’s completely normal for a few nagging questions to pop up. These are the usual sticking points that can throw a spanner in the works just when you feel like you’re getting somewhere. Let’s tackle them head-on so you can keep moving forward.

Think of this as your no-nonsense guide to getting unstuck. The goal here isn’t just to throw information at you, but to help you navigate these mental roadblocks with confidence.

What if I Have Too Many Interests?

First off, this is a quality problem to have. It beats feeling like nothing excites you. The trick is to shift your mindset from “I have to pick just one” to “Which one will I explore first?”

Don’t let the sheer number of options freeze you in your tracks.

Find the Theme: Lay out all your interests. Is there a common thread tying them together? Maybe your interest in graphic design, woodworking, and creative writing all point to a deeper desire you have to build something from nothing.
Run an ‘Energy’ Check: Go back to your energy audit. Which of these interests gives you the biggest jolt of genuine excitement right now? Your gut knows. Trust it and start there. The others aren’t going anywhere.
Try a ‘Mash-Up’: Sometimes, your real magic happens where two interests collide. If you love fitness and writing, you could start a killer fitness blog. If you’re into tech and music, you could get lost in digital audio production.

Your aim isn’t to find the ‘one’ perfect thing for life. It’s simply to start with what’s pulling you in the most today. This isn’t a lifelong contract; it’s just your next step.

How Long Does This Whole Process Take?

This is probably the most common question I get, and the honest answer is there’s no set timeline for you. It’s different for everyone. Finding what truly clicks with who you are is a marathon, not a sprint. Some people have a lightbulb moment in a few months. For others, it’s a slow burn that unfolds over years.

Trying to rush the process is the fastest way to get frustrated and quit. Your only job is to stay curious, keep running small experiments, and pay attention to what the results are telling you.

Forget the deadline and focus on consistent, small actions instead. The journey of self-discovery is where you’ll find most of the good stuff, anyway. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to keep your momentum going, check out some of the other articles on our blog.

What if My Passion Doesn’t Become a Career?

This is a big one. You might get tripped up by the myth that every single passion needs to be monetised. Not only is that untrue, but it can also be incredibly destructive to your motivation.

Seriously, putting financial pressure on a new interest is the quickest way to suck all the joy out of it for yourself.

Protect Your Hobby: It is 100% okay to have a passion that is just for you. Its only job might be to bring you joy, slash your stress levels, and make your life richer. That’s more than enough of a return on your time.
Redefine ‘Success’ for Yourself: Success doesn’t always come with a paycheque. It could be the feeling of finishing a personal project, mastering a new skill, or simply having an outlet that recharges you after a tough week.

Sometimes, the most valuable role a passion can play is to make the rest of your life better, not to replace your job. Give your interests room to breathe without the crushing weight of expectation.

At Your Bro, we believe that finding your path is about taking consistent, intentional action, not waiting around for a magical answer. If you’re ready to move past the questions and start building a concrete plan with real accountability, a good first step is our free, no-BS discovery call. Find out more and book your spot at https://yourbro.com.au.

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