In the world of self-help and career advice, one piece gets thrown around far too often: “Follow your passion.” It sounds so inspiring and easy to grasp, but as a life coach, I’ve seen the dark side of this mantra. The truth is, following your passion can be terrible advice, and it often leads to disappointment, financial stress, and burnout. Before you quit your job to pursue that dream of becoming a yoga teacher, florist, or life coach, let’s talk about why this approach might not be as foolproof as it seems.
The Pitfalls of Passion-Driven Decisions
I’ve witnessed countless individuals who, driven by the desire to pursue their passion, leave stable jobs to chase their dreams. At first, everything seems perfect. They’re finally doing what they love, and it feels liberating. But then reality sets in. Within three to six months, many of these passionate entrepreneurs find themselves out of money, struggling to make ends meet, and worst of all, beginning to resent the very thing they once loved.
The problem lies in the pressure to turn your passion into a profitable business. When your livelihood depends on your passion, the stakes become incredibly high. Suddenly, what was once a source of joy becomes a source of stress. The thing you loved starts to feel like a burden, and before long, you might find yourself hating the very thing you set out to do.
Why “Follow Your Passion” is Bad Advice for Young People
If you’re a young person just starting out in your career, the advice to follow your passion can be particularly misleading. You might not even know what you truly enjoy yet, and that’s okay. The pressure to find your purpose or passion right out of university can be overwhelming and unrealistic. Life coaching has taught me that passions often develop over time through experience, exploration, and skill-building—not through a sudden revelation.
When you’re young, it’s more important to focus on gaining experience, learning new skills, and understanding what you’re good at. Your passion will evolve naturally as you grow in your career. But if you’re too focused on finding that one perfect thing you love, you might miss out on other valuable opportunities that could lead you to a fulfilling career.
My Own Journey with Life Coaching and Technology
I went through this process myself. After spending years working in information technology, I decided to follow my passion for helping others and made the bold decision to leave my career to pursue life coaching full-time. I was excited about the prospect of dedicating myself entirely to coaching, believing that this was the path I was meant to take.
However, after some time, I realized that I missed working in the tech industry. I missed the challenges, the problem-solving, and the environment that tech provided. More importantly, I discovered that I didn’t have to choose between my passion for coaching and my experience in IT. Instead, I found opportunities to coach within the tech industry, merging my passion with my professional background.
This approach allowed me to leverage my existing skills while also pursuing my passion for coaching. I didn’t have to sacrifice my financial security or fall out of love with coaching because I found a way to integrate it into what I was already doing.
The Alternative: Creating an Environment for Passion to Flourish
Instead of following your passion blindly, I believe the key is to create an environment where your passion can grow and thrive. This environment should meet three important criteria:
1. Autonomy: You need the ability to make your own decisions and take ownership of your work. Autonomy is crucial for feeling invested in what you do. When you have control over your projects and can see the direct impact of your efforts, your sense of purpose naturally increases.
2. Mastery: You need the opportunity to learn and master a skill. Passion often follows skill development. As you become more proficient in a particular area, you start to enjoy it more. The sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering something can be a powerful motivator.
3. Connection: You need to relate to others through your work. Human beings are social creatures, and we derive a great deal of satisfaction from helping and connecting with others. When your work positively impacts those around you, it becomes more meaningful.
Finding the Right Environment
So, how do you find an environment where your passion can flourish? Here’s a strategy based on both my personal experience and the research found in Cal Newport’s book So Good They Can’t Ignore You (which I highly recommend if you enjoyed this writing).
First, start by looking at your natural strengths and inclinations. What are you good at? What types of activities do you find yourself naturally drawn to? If you’re an analytical thinker, perhaps a role in business analysis could be fulfilling. If you’re athletically inclined, physical education or coaching might be a good fit. The key is to identify areas where you already have a foundation to build on.
Next, consider the opportunities available to you. If you’re still in university, look for projects that allow you to showcase your skills and build your network. If you’re already employed, start having conversations with colleagues or industry professionals to explore potential opportunities. These discussions can help you determine whether a particular environment meets the three criteria: autonomy, mastery, and connection.
Let Passion Find You
Once you’ve found an environment that aligns with your strengths and offers opportunities for growth, allow your passion to develop naturally. As you build your skills and see how your work positively impacts others, your passion will find you. It’s not something you need to chase; it’s something that will grow out of your experiences and achievements.
This approach is much more sustainable and fulfilling in the long run. Instead of risking burnout by trying to turn your passion into a business too quickly, you’re setting yourself up for success by cultivating an environment where you can thrive.
Conclusion: Building a Life You Love
As a life coach, my goal is to help people build lives that they love. But loving your life doesn’t mean following a narrow definition of passion. It means creating a balanced environment where your skills, values, and connections come together to create a fulfilling career and life. By focusing on autonomy, mastery, and connection, you can develop a passion that is deeply rooted in your experiences and expertise—one that will stand the test of time.
So, the next time you hear someone say, “Follow your passion,” take a step back. Instead, focus on creating the right environment for your passion to grow. In doing so, you’ll find a career that not only excites you but also sustains you for the long haul.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your next steps, consider reaching out for a life coaching session. Together, we can explore your strengths, identify opportunities, and build a plan that aligns with your goals and values. Remember, passion is not something you find; it’s something you cultivate.