There are those in life who find their true calling, that one thing they know how to do competently, enjoy doing, and can make money doing it. Media outlets make a big deal out of it, and they bring those “passionate” individuals onto their platforms. The message, on average, goes along the lines of; I quit my job to follow my passion, and now I am a millionaire.
With the rise of social media and unlimited newly-found career possibilities, there is a significant push for people to pursue their dreams. We are glorifying entrepreneurship and quitting one’s job to do what we are “destined” to do, and that somehow working a 9–5 job is considered “not living” and looked down upon. You start learning about all the success stories, you hear about the millionaires and the billionaires. You won’t hear about the sacrificed relationships, those who went bankrupt, and those who lost their health, both physical and mental in their passion pursuit.
At some point, a line was blurred. We collectively decided that our “profession”, the one we get paid for, should be our “passion” and if it isn’t, then there is something missing.
In response to those who suffered by following their passion as a career, there is now this polar opposite idea that suggests that you shouldn’t follow your passion because, on average, it doesn’t serve you well. This new mindset got more popular with TED Talks, and self-help books.
I used to be in the “follow your passion” camp, but when things didn’t work out for me, I joined the “don’t follow your passion” camp. However, as I reflected more on both mindsets, I realized the following:
Following your passion “as a career” makes you energetic, purposeful, optimistic, and more attractive. However, it anchors you, will force you to make sacrifices, and if you fail, it might be your downfall.
Also
Not following your passion “as a career” makes you strategic, deliberate, realistic, and on average more successful. However, you will have a fear of missing out, have less drive, and overall feel a sense of incompleteness.
The key phrase here is “as a career”. My advice is to keep a very clear and distinct line between your profession and your passion.
You totally should be in a profession that you don’t hate or one that doesn’t burn you out easily, but you don’t necessarily have to be passionate about it. Leverage your strengths and keep upgrading your skills. It might eventually land you somewhere you “enjoy”.
Also, you should totally have a passion! Have something on the side that you enjoy doing in your free time, and if you don’t have free time, make time for it. Let it be a thing that is not attached to key performance metrics, something you can simply ENJOY! Maybe by doing it many years, you can eventually monetize it as another revenue stream, but don’t force it.
The goal of this written piece is not to tell you that following your passion as a career is good or bad for you. For every rule, there will always be an exception. The main idea is that just because you are doing something different than others or something that is not “glorified” by others, doesn’t mean you are wrong or that you are missing out on something.
If I am to leave you with two pieces of advice, they would be;
1- Never compare yourself with other people. Just because someone you know (or don’t know) was able to turn their passion into a career, doesn’t mean you have to as well, and vice versa.
2- Don’t let the media bias you into what your life should look or feel like. You choose for yourself how you want to lead your life, even if it is not the popular choice.
Thanks for reading.
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Writing Blooper 1: On average, I use “on average” alot. Also “quotation marks”. Ops, I did it again.
Writing Blooper 2: Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more content. Is that even a thing on Medium? What do you mean it is a “clap” not a “like”?!
