Many of us are firm believers in the “follow your passion” mantra, but here’s a hard lesson to learn: just because you are passionate about something doesn’t mean you can turn it into a fulfilling career without putting in the extra effort.
If you are still dwelling on the fantasy of getting a big reward for chasing after your dream job, it’s time to reflect on the reality.
Here are three reasons why following your passion is a myth.
1. Having passion will not ensure success
It takes serious dedication and proper planning to achieve any career goal. Success does not come through passion alone.
Keep in mind that knowing what you want to do and what you can do are two different things.
Understanding your capability will also help you design a concrete plan for growth, for example, if you need to upgrade a certain skill to stay competitive.
There will always be hiccups along the way, be it the ever-evolving working environment, the different types of difficult co-workers or the tumbling industry, so you need the essential skills and mindset to stay on track.
That’s when your passion really makes a difference; it’s the fuel that will keep you moving towards the end-goal.
2. It’s not necessary to make a living out of your passion
Some people become freelance writers because they are passionate about writing.
However, the reality will slowly hit as they struggle to meet deadlines from a pool of clients just to make ends meet. As a result, most of them will end up feeling burnt out and the initial passion eventually becomes a burden.
Having a passion for something does not mean you can immediately make it a full-time career. After all, passion itself is not a career.
The right question that you should ask yourself is, “What kind of job will allow me to live my passion?”
As a guide, use these simple equations to work out your career plan:
Interest + Determination = Passion
Passion + Skills = Success
3. Making a living out of your passion still requires a lot of work
It is often said that if you follow your passion, you won’t have to work a day in your life.
Although this is true to a certain extent, a rewarding career is never a straight road. Every job comes with its own set of challenges; it could be a toxic working environment, low salary, or bad colleagues.
How would you deal with those external factors? Passion can only push you so far, what about the disappointments and failures that may come your way?
Don’t be too strict on yourself even if you fail and don’t be afraid to embrace new opportunities as you move forward.
It’s perfectly alright to discover a new path because passion doesn’t have to be permanent, and a satisfying career is made up of many elements.
That being said, don’t forget to enjoy every second of your job and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t bring you happiness!
This article first appeared in jobstore.com
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