There is a lot of talk these days about finding and living your passion. In fact, there even seems to be some social pressure associated with it. You haven’t found your passion yet? What are you waiting for!

For those who already know what it is you love and what you want to do with your life, congratulations. Count yourselves lucky.

But for those of you who are still trying to discover what lights you up, here is an exercise you can do to ferret out what could be your passion. It may sound counterintuitive, but trust me, it works.

Usually we’re encouraged to make a list of what we want. “You gotta name it to claim it,” they shout. Write down your goals. Say them out loud every day.

You’ve heard this all before, right? And for good reason. It really does work.

But sometimes we get stuck. Our minds draw a blank. We’ve lose touch with our inner child who knew how to dream and play. “If only I knew what I wanted, I’d go do it!”

If you find yourself stuck trying to come up with your list—do the opposite.

Make a What-I-Don’t-Want-List.

That’s right. Start with the opposite. Write down everything you don’t want. List everything you are sick and tired of and wish would stop or go away or change. Soon enough you’ll be left with a pretty good map pointing you towards a better future.

Remember, you can still find north on a compass by facing south and then turning around 180 degrees.

Sometimes discontent is the first step in your progress.

To your good fortune!