3 ms·

I respectfully disagree. I think this is precisely where the "follow your passion" advice logically concludes a lot of the time and it results in a painful sear

I respectfully disagree. I think this is precisely where the "follow your passion" advice logically concludes a lot of the time and it results in a painful search for gainful employment. I spent years trying to follow this mantra and it left me unfulfilled, confused, and resentful. As soon as I went back to doing what I am innately good at, I became much happier. I instead focused on improving my skills and having a positive impact at my workplace with the people I work with. This has lead to far more fulfillment than when I was "following my passion." I also would like to add that I think "follow your passion" is largely broken because its hard to know what that even is a lot of the time. And then taking something fleeting and attempting to build a life on top of it is reckless. This week I might enjoy cooking and trying to get better at that. Should I then drop everything and go to culinary school? This week I enjoy carpentry, should I start a carpentry business? Now its gardening, should I become a landscaper? etc...

peterwwillis 8y ago
Well first off, I'm sorry you had that experience, that sucks, and I'm glad you're better off now. I think what I'm suggesting is that if you have an idea that your passion might be gardening, you don't have to become a landscaper. You could work for a company that develops non-patented disease-resistant seeds, or a company that grows plants for sale in big box stores, or maybe even a small start-up that tries to connect small farmers that grow unique crops to restaurants that want to provide a unique menu. Maybe it should be re-worded as "try to combine your skills with your interests".
- kaitai 8y ago
  It is worth remembering that the skills and the interests need to be combined in your life, not every day at work. Maybe you are passionate about gardening so you have a good job that pays well and keeps summer hours, letting you spend your weekends gardening. I have a passion that I engage with for a living (math) and it's currently keeping me underpaid. I'm also very interested in art and so I go to museums, work on learning how to paint, etc -- and if it was my job, I'd stop liking it. I like it so much because it's a complement. Some passions are like hot sauce -- a sprinkling makes almost every food better, while a full bowl gives you the runs.
- dwaltrip 8y ago
  > try to combine your skills with your interests This is 100x more grounded, clear-cut, and actionable than "follow your passion".
devwastaken 8y ago
I disagree with that. If you don't know a long term passion then obviously you can't just find gainful employment. The point of 'follow your passion' is more of opportunity and what your passions are worth to you. You don't just quit your job and launch into the wild, you make responsible decisions over time that can lead you into something that is more fulfilling in your life. I'm glad you figured out what works for you, and I agree the mantra of 'follow your passion' is very misleading. But if we're all comfortable being where we're at nobody goes anywhere. And at the same time only following what you wanted also tends to lead nowhere.

peterwwillis 8y ago

Well first off, I'm sorry you had that experience, that sucks, and I'm glad you're better off now. I think what I'm suggesting is that if you have an idea that your passion might be gardening, you don't have to become a landscaper. You could work for a company that develops non-patented disease-resistant seeds, or a company that grows plants for sale in big box stores, or maybe even a small start-up that tries to connect small farmers that grow unique crops to restaurants that want to provide a unique menu. Maybe it should be re-worded as "try to combine your skills with your interests".

kaitai 8y ago
It is worth remembering that the skills and the interests need to be combined in your life, not every day at work. Maybe you are passionate about gardening so you have a good job that pays well and keeps summer hours, letting you spend your weekends gardening. I have a passion that I engage with for a living (math) and it's currently keeping me underpaid. I'm also very interested in art and so I go to museums, work on learning how to paint, etc -- and if it was my job, I'd stop liking it. I like it so much because it's a complement. Some passions are like hot sauce -- a sprinkling makes almost every food better, while a full bowl gives you the runs.
dwaltrip 8y ago
> try to combine your skills with your interests This is 100x more grounded, clear-cut, and actionable than "follow your passion".

devwastaken 8y ago

I disagree with that. If you don't know a long term passion then obviously you can't just find gainful employment. The point of 'follow your passion' is more of opportunity and what your passions are worth to you. You don't just quit your job and launch into the wild, you make responsible decisions over time that can lead you into something that is more fulfilling in your life. I'm glad you figured out what works for you, and I agree the mantra of 'follow your passion' is very misleading. But if we're all comfortable being where we're at nobody goes anywhere. And at the same time only following what you wanted also tends to lead nowhere.