4 Myths About Career Passion

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Amen brother. That's all I have to say.
Chris

Chris Young 7:32PM December 22, 2009

I agree with the Author... and his bitter tone... Well, that's the reality... We can't just be passionate about some thing trivial (economically speaking)... We need to pay the bills!!!... I guess, there's no one particular passion/career, as we are all interested in a bunch of things... exclude mozart other geniuses... And the work is called work for nothing... So, work sucks mostly for the folks who can't meet their bills... For the others, it's exciting... If our work/passion/perseverance is rewarded someway, we will be okay... But it's not always the case... So we need to teach our kids and not let them grow too passionate of economically trivial stuff... Mend the kids while they are malleable and try them to get interesting in stuff that will potentially pay them well in future... So they won't be sorry...

love2differ of HI 10:31PM November 28, 2009

Hi Curt,
I was a bit misled by your article´s title - I imagined you would make a case for "stick-with-it-this-is-not-time-for-change." I believe that career passion can be developed by paying attention to interests (vocational, flower exercise by Bolles, Holland´s Codes), experience (those hours logged in should be counted as part of the proper tools even if not lined up with career goals) and finally ambition/dream/creative courage to get where I want to be. In other words, passion should mean perseverance, and from that point of view I jived with your article which was much better than title!
Robin

Robin Melina Kinsman 9:52AM November 05, 2009

Following our work passions can be riskier than sticking with the status quo, but you won't look back later wondering "what if". We are all gifted in different ways, and being able to use our personal talents/passions to make a living is a wonderful freedom somewhat unique to our time and place. Reminds me of the Biblical parable of the 3 guys given "talents" and how one buries his and the others invest theirs to make more and are then given more.

Melanie Hamon, www.careercoachpro.com of CA 1:39PM November 03, 2009

Thanks dh. I'm glad it hit the spot for you.
JK, having the skills is definitely an important piece of the puzzle. That said, in general there is a far greater tendency for people to focus on factors such as skills than on the question, "Do I love this?"
My goal is to plant the seeds for a more full-bodied perspective, incorporating both the technical aspect (skills, feasibility, etc.) with the heart aspect (how does this make me feel?).

Curt Rosengren of WA 3:17PM October 31, 2009

The only caveat about having career passion is that it shouldn't be confused with "interest". Many job seekers apply for jobs that "interest" them, too often neglecting the equally important issue of having the skills necessary for the position.
In my opinion, career passion grows with job experience, as the nuances of the career are revealed over time, and the individual explores, and is afforded opportunities to employ, creative methods in their job functions.
Too often, professional passion is nipped in the bud by supervisors and systems that priortize the status quo over progress.

JK of HI 8:09PM October 30, 2009