Solving the “Follow your passion” equation

I’ve not solved my own but I think I’m close to solving it!

Recently I’ve seen a few blogs that go the opposite direction from the “Follow your passion” mantra. They claim it’s terrible advice.

Here’s an example. And this one. These stories have valid points. The first one suggests that “passion is grown, not found”. The second one talks about the risk of putting too many eggs in one basket, of setting the expectations too high, and then giving up too quickly when they are not met.

This damn question is probably one of the most critical ones we face in our lives!

I’m personally torn.

I gravitate towards larger-than-life ideals and goals, that necessarily come with a lot of risk-taking. Risk-taking, however, means you get hurt when you don’t succeed. I mean you get really hurt. The pain is so acute — and not just for you, often for other people in your circle — that there is no glamour, no grace in having taken the risk.

Another problem with big ideals is that they are simply unwise. Not that I’m all wise, but I’d define “wise” as the ability to accept and embrace life as it is — with everything in it, the good and the ugly. Nothing’s ever perfect. There will always be something ugly, some sacrifice. “Follow your passion” suggests there is a journey and probably some final destination that are overwhelmingly nice, and positive, even accounting for all the hard effort along the way. Not necessarily. What if you…