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I’m a firm believer in doing what motivates me the most and I’m all about following my passion and “finding a job I love so I never have to work a day in my life.” I work towards that goal every day because my ultimate goal isn’t insane or out of reach – even if it might be a terrible mistake.
For some people, living this way is a terrible idea. Usually because they suck at doing the thing they’re most passionate about. That’s the idea behind this video by Mike Rowe. Some people just suck at their passion.
Rowe uses American Idol as an example:
Year after year, thousands of aspiring American Idols show up with great expectations, only to learn that they don’t possess the skills they thought they did. What’s really amazing though, is not their lack of talent—the world is full of people who can’t sing. It’s their genuine shock at being rejected. The incredible realization that their passion and their ability had nothing to do with each other.
Look, if we’re talking about your hobby, by all means let your passion lead you. But when it comes to making a living, it’s easy to forget the dirty truth: just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean you won’t suck at it.
Now, if you want to follow your passion for LEGOS as a side project, something to do at night or on weekends, by all means go for it. It could eventually lead to a job or opportunity. But don’t quit your job tomorrow to become a LEGO sculptor unless you plan on using those blocks to build a shelter after you end up homeless.
Rowe suggests finding something you’re good at, or find a need in the market that hasn’t been yet, and explore that as a job. It might eventually become your passion.
[via PragerU.com]