Ducks in a Row: The Myth Of Finding Passion
by Miki Saxon
I know it gets old, but here is yet another reason to subscribe to CB Insights newsletter. At the end there is a section called The Blurb that provides four links to exceptionally excellent content, such as
Mark Manson’s thoughts on “passion.”
Manson is referring to the oft stated advice to new grads to “find your passion” when looking for work. Seems a lot of those people write him saying they don’t know what their passion is and asking how to find it.
But more importantly, what I want to say to these people is this: that’s the whole point — “not knowing” is the whole fucking point. Life is all about not knowing, and then doing something anyway. All of life is like this. All of it.
He points out some basic truths about work and passion/loving what you do.
- Priorities, like buying food and paying the rent/mortgage, often trump passion.
- You can work for the priorities and spend the rest of your time on your passion.
- Even your dream job will include parts that suck and some days when it all sucks.
If you’re passionate about something, it will already feel like such an ingrained part of your life that you will have to be reminded by people that it’s not normal, that other people aren’t like that.
If you have to look for what you’re passionate about, then you’re probably not passionate about it at all.
A child does not walk onto a playground and say to herself, “How do I find fun?” She just goes and has fun.
Further,
- You won’t find your passion in a set of data points.
- Nor will you find it by looking/asking/ranting/whining.
- Just because your best friend loves their job doesn’t mean you would.
- People change. Your passion at 25 may not be your passion at 45, let alone at 65.
Don’t just read Manson’s essay, think about it and then apply the lessons learned to your own life.
I guarantee you’ll be a far happier/satisfied/passionate person.
Flickr image credit: gorfor
