Why ‘Find Your Passion’ Is Bad Advice
Feb. 16, 2016
Holding the
persistent idea that if I knew what my One True Passion was, then my
path would be obvious and success would be inevitable.
People like lawyers, nurses and high school math teachers seemed driven by passion and would always arrive at their destinations ahead of me...
So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport explains what he calls “the passion hypothesis.” Basically, “The key to occupational happiness,” Newport writes, “is to first figure out what you’re passionate about and then find a job that matches this passion.”
This book is essentially the logical, evidence-based book that lays out a sensible argument about why you don’t lead with passion first, but with skill.
The directive to find your passion is a flat-out bad idea, that creates little more than mental and emotional chaos, a cascade of shoulds and, ultimately, despair and self-loathing.
People like lawyers, nurses and high school math teachers seemed driven by passion and would always arrive at their destinations ahead of me...
So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport explains what he calls “the passion hypothesis.” Basically, “The key to occupational happiness,” Newport writes, “is to first figure out what you’re passionate about and then find a job that matches this passion.”
This book is essentially the logical, evidence-based book that lays out a sensible argument about why you don’t lead with passion first, but with skill.
The directive to find your passion is a flat-out bad idea, that creates little more than mental and emotional chaos, a cascade of shoulds and, ultimately, despair and self-loathing.
The fact is, many people tripped or made an unexpected turn into the lives
they have, whether they admit it publicly or not.
Does that mean you don’t need passion? You do need it, but not as a precursor to what you choose to do next.
Terri Trespicio is a writer, editor and entrepreneur. She runs a boutique branding and content agency, where she works with individuals, startups and established brands to make their messages compelling across media platforms.
Link: http://motto.time.com/4225520/find-your-passion-bad-advice/
Does that mean you don’t need passion? You do need it, but not as a precursor to what you choose to do next.
Terri Trespicio is a writer, editor and entrepreneur. She runs a boutique branding and content agency, where she works with individuals, startups and established brands to make their messages compelling across media platforms.
Link: http://motto.time.com/4225520/find-your-passion-bad-advice/
