“Follow Your Passion” SUCKS as Career Advice

Its official: “Follow your passion!” sucks as career advice.
 
Do you know how many people who follow this mantra are unemployed or under-employed? Do you know how many passion-or-nothing disciples spend their days playing Call of Duty, watching reality television and banging on social media using hashtags like #FML?
Too many. Way too many.

Heres what i believe...

1. We should absolutely enjoy our work… we do much better work when we do
2. Rather than insist on our dream job… we should constantly work toward our dream job
3. Some jobs suck… yet the better we do them, the happier we are
4. Those with a positive attitude about work, regardless of their current situation, win… every time
5. Those who hustle and have a positive attitude kick ass… every time

Here’s what else I believe:

“Follow Your Passion” is Passive

Passion is huge. I get that. And there are many who work 16-hour days, believing in their passion-fueled dream. Like many others who make a real dent in their crazy worlds, however, they don’t spend much time following anything. Why? Because the word ‘follow’ – by definition – means to “move or trail behind”. In other words, as long as you are following you’re never catching up to that magical dream in your head. Granted, not all of us are Type A-holes who jump into everything in “all in” fashion. Still, being passive does not typically equate with success.

Executing passion starts with a personal mission: Who are you going to help? What problem are you going to solve? What difference are you making in the world… right now, and 5 years from now?

“Follow Your Passion” Often Means Missed Opportunity

My biggest issue with those stuck in “I must find and follow my passion” purgatory? They miss the opportunities to see and feel real passion. And they miss opportunities to execute their dreams no matter how menial the task seems. Tutoring, volunteering, mentoring, writing and side gigs enable us to make a difference. Even just an hour or two at a time, thinking of someone other than ourselves, makes a huge difference in us.
 
Don’t “follow your passion”. That theory has been proven a failure. Instead, live a passion-driven life.

There’s a big, passionate difference.