Following Your Passion: Good or Bad Advice?
Debunking the Myths
I’ve gotten flack my entire life for being “extra.” “Stephanie! You’re too loud, too outspoken, too opinionated…” Essentially: sit down, shut up and be like everyone else. My response? Never. My passion has caused me more than my fair share of battles, and I’m fine with that. It’s my superpower and I’m using it to help you find yours.
My next battle? Attacking the myth that doing what you love is bad advice. In my opinion, the most destructive lie we’ve been sold is that we all must live our lives a certain way. That we are bound by the rules of society in choosing (and staying on) our path. You probably didn’t hear it directly. More likely it was the subtle message in between the lines of “helpful” advice. Usually from people who love you and think they’re protecting you — because they bought the lie too.
Why is it so destructive? Because it’s robbing people of real fulfillment. The number one regret of the dying is living the life someone else wanted for them and not being true to themselves. Google it. Don’t wait until you’re dying to do what you love.
My message is this: you should absolutely, 100%, without a doubt pursue the thing that is in your heart. Period. Whatever it is, it’s there for a reason; it didn’t just accidentally show up. This isn’t a religious statement. You can call it whatever you want. But that thing inside of you? It’s both the key to your fulfillment and your gift to the world. Your passion = your purpose. Not acting on it is like throwing your gift in the trash. Do you really want to look back and wonder who you could have become? What difference you could have made? What experiences you could have had? What legacy you could have left?
Following your passion isn’t a luxury, it’s a right. You were given a life, and you get to choose how to live it.
The following are what I believe to be the top 3 myths holding people back from doing what they love.
Myth 1: Following Your Passion is Irresponsible
What’s irresponsible is making poor choices and blaming it on pursuing a dream. Unfortunately, there are so many examples of this happening it’s easy to see how this myth is perpetuated.
We’ve all heard about people who quit their job without a safety net or take out huge loans when they don’t have enough of their own money to invest in an idea. Those who continue to insist their big break is right around the corner, even when they can’t pay their bills. Instead of making the faulty assumption that following your passion is irresponsible, let’s put the blame where it’s due — bad decisions.
You can use these stories as lessons of what not to do, and instead, focus your energy on creating a responsible, step-by-step plan to reach your goals.
Myth 2: You Have to go All-In
Somewhere along the line, people got the idea that following your passion means starting a business. It certainly can, and many times it does — for people who want to have a business. If you don’t, then don’t! You don’t even have to make money. It doesn’t have to be a job or a full-time thing. Maybe it’s a hobby or a side-hustle, being a volunteer or mentor. It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition. If the purpose is fulfillment, then it’s whatever you want it to be. Only you can decide what that is.
For those of you who are considering changing careers or starting a new business venture, don’t buy into this one…
Myth 3: You Need to Have a “Real” Job
What exactly is a “real” job? One that you have to go to college to obtain? One that deposits a paycheck every other Friday? One that comes with benefits? The mainstream narrative tells us that our job must meet these criteria in order to qualify. Why? Because we’re told that it’s safe. Is it? How many people do you know who spent time and money on a degree they don’t use? Or use their degree at a job they hate? How about the people who lost their retirement after decades of employment? Or the ones who were laid off when their company downsized or went bankrupt? How many industries are automating human skills?
There is no such thing as a “real” job. What’s necessary is a source of income sufficient to cover your expenses. As long as it’s ethical, and you acquire the appropriate skills to provide a service or sell a product, “how” you earn income and “how” you obtain your education is irrelevant. Granted, you can’t become a doctor without going to medical school or a lawyer without law school. We all know those examples and I’m sure someone will point them out if I don’t mention them.
Bottom line: I’m not suggesting that college and traditional jobs are bad. I went to one and I have one. Plenty of happy and fulfilled people are doing what they love and that’s the path that got them there. What I’m saying is that “traditional” doesn’t equal “real.” It’s not the only path. There is nothing inherently safer about it, and you don’t have to take it (or stay on it).
I’ll leave you with this — don’t listen to me. Go research the most happy and successful people now and throughout history. You’ll hear the same message — over, and over, and over again. Follow your passion. Do you really think it’s a coincidence? That the greatest among us got it wrong? That living “safe” is getting it right?
Are you happy?
If you can honestly say that you’re happy and fulfilled, awesome! Keep doing what you’re doing. But if you sense there’s something more for you, something bigger, something pulling at your heart — then pursue it. Responsibly.
