Following your passion is often held up as the holy grail of career advice. You hear it all the time: “Just do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” But for every success story of someone pursuing their dream, there are countless people struggling to make ends meet—they’re stressed and burned out because the reality didn’t quite match the dream.
The truth is, while passion is important, it's only one piece of the puzzle. In fact, blindly following it can lead to a career path that may not be sustainable, fulfilling, or even enjoyable in the long run. Here’s why—and what to focus on instead.
The Problem with Passion
One of the main issues with passion is that it's often fleeting. Think about it—how many hobbies, interests, or even career goals have you had that faded over time? That’s the nature of passion. What excites you now may not hold the same allure in five, ten, or twenty years. So, basing an entire career on something as variable as passion can be risky.
This uncertainty leads many to adopt the Maximising Money Approach: “Don’t follow your passion—focus on making as much money as possible.”
The argument goes that you don’t have to love what you do; instead, you should focus on making enough money so that you can pursue your passions outside of work. For many, this looks like a stable job with a steady pay cheque and a clear career path. Work is work—it’s a means to an end.
While I know many people who embrace this mindset, it raises a crucial question: is this really enough? If work is merely about making money, then what happens to our overall happiness? Many individuals who see their jobs only as a way to earn a living report feeling deeply unhappy. Their days often blend into one another, lacking the excitement and fulfilment that could come from more meaningful work. Given that work occupies such a significant portion of our lives, I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to life than just earning a pay cheque.
Research supports this concern, revealing that up to 85% of people feel disengaged in their jobs. Many experience anxiety, stress, and even burnout because their daily work fails to align with their values or interests.
On the other end of the spectrum lies the advice to “follow your passion at all costs,” which embodies the Maximising Passion Approach. The idea here is that if you pour yourself fully into your passion, financial rewards will eventually follow. While this sounds appealing, it’s essential to recognise that not all passions are marketable or scalable.
For instance, it’s one thing to love photography, art, or writing; it’s another to turn those interests into a profitable business. I’ve seen friends struggle to monetise their passions, feeling disheartened as their creative outlets transformed into sources of stress rather than joy. When your survival hinges on your passion, it can quickly lose its charm. What once brought happiness may instead become a source of pressure, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
A Third Way: Finding Your "Zone of Bliss"
What if there was a way to combine the best of both worlds—passion and financial stability? Instead of focusing solely on one or the other, consider finding the intersection between what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. I call this sweet spot the “Zone of Bliss.”
Discovering your zone of bliss is not an overnight task; it requires time and self-reflection. A great starting point is to ask yourself three key questions:
- What do I love doing? Begin by making a list of activities or topics that genuinely excite you and feel meaningful. These are the pursuits that allow you to lose track of time and make you feel truly alive.
- What am I good at? Reflect on your strengths, skills, and experiences. Consider the areas where you’ve developed expertise and identify the talents that come naturally to you. Understanding your abilities will help you recognise where you can excel.
- Where can I provide value? Think about the problems you can solve and the value you can offer. Identify areas where you can make a meaningful contribution, whether it involves creating something people need or offering a skill that others are willing to pay for.
By combining these three elements, you create a solid foundation for a fulfilling and financially sustainable career. You’re no longer solely chasing passion or sacrificing joy for money. Instead, you cultivate a balanced life where your work aligns with your values, interests, and skills.
Ikigai: A Japanese Concept
This concept closely relates to the Japanese idea of Ikigai, which translates to “a reason for being.” Ikigai encompasses four essential elements: what you love (your passion), what you’re good at (your vocation), what the world needs (your mission), and what you can be paid for (your profession). When these four elements overlap, you discover a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment in both your work and life.
Building a Life, Not Just a Job
In the end, building a satisfying career isn’t about choosing between passion and practicality. It’s about designing a life where your work and personal interests reinforce one another.
Instead of asking, "What am I passionate about?" ask yourself, "What life do I want to build?" Then, find work that aligns with that vision—work that makes a contribution, where you can build skills, and that lets you move closer to the life you envision.
As you reflect on your career and life choices, consider these actionable steps:
- Reflect on Your Journey: Take time to evaluate your experiences, both positive and negative. What lessons have you learned? Journaling can be a great way to process these reflections.
- Identify Your Values: Write down the core values that matter most to you. This can guide your career decisions moving forward. For me, values like creativity, impact, and personal growth became clear touchstones.
- Experiment and Explore: Allow yourself the freedom to try new things. Volunteer, take classes, or engage in side projects. This exploration can lead you closer to your zone of bliss.
- Seek Mentorship: Connect with individuals who inspire you. Their insights can provide valuable guidance on your journey. I found that mentorship not only opened doors but also helped me see my potential in new ways.
- Stay Open to Change: Remember, your interests may evolve over time. Stay adaptable and be willing to pivot as needed. Embrace the mindset that change can lead to growth and opportunity.
In the words of Cal Newport:
Passion is not something you follow; it’s something that will follow you as you put in the hard work to become valuable to the world.