People throw around words like they don’t mean things, often. Forgoing definitions and opting for lighter uses that sound good and make for a great hashtags. I, on the other hand, am vehemently opposed. I’ve noticed more recently with the rise of the word passion. It’s paraded around as something that everyone should chase vigorously with respect to their job and careers. I wonder though, do you really need passion to succeed?
When I think of success as it relates to work, I obviously think of the financial aspect. Were there gains or losses? But when I think of success for life I question, did it bring me happiness? Would I do it again? Did it touch someone else? Am I feeling a strong uncontrollable emotion about what I did? If the answer is yes then I stick with it. Otherwise, it’s on to the next. As the world is constantly encouraging us to find our passion and a side hustle, I want to be sure that we aren’t wrapping everything we do up in our dollars. I’m looking at you Steve Harvey. There’s value in the question – what would you do if money didn’t matter? Not because you would do everything for free, but because if money weren’t a necessity most of us would be spending life differently.
Working isn’t always fun, period. Alexa, play City Girls.
Don’t get me wrong I do think you should have some emotion about your work but where I deviate from the masses is I don’t think everything we do for work has to involve love. I think as a society we’ve reached a place where people are vying to quit their jobs to be their own boss because it sounds chic. Honestly it’s why most people age 25-38 will likely never be with a company for 30 years. Times have indeed changed largely due to the technological age in turn changing what is considered “work”. Our parents don’t understand what a social influencer is or how people are making money by selling courses online, because it isn’t what work looked like for them. On opposite end of that spectrum, our generation tends to downplay the traditional corporate trajectory because it doesn’t shimmer in the light quite as brightly.
Knowing that I’m an entrepreneur you may be asking, “aren’t you doing exactly what you say others shouldn’t?” To that I’ll say – running a business is something I’ve been doing since I was 8 years old. My passion at that time was making friendship bracelets that were quality, it just so happened that they were quality enough to sell. Passion is what moves you, not what pays you. It is not required for you to be passionate about what pays your bills. You may not love data entry or perhaps being an attorney is not what you thought it would be, but it doesn’t mean another job to fulfill that void. Passion is defined as “a strong and barely controllable emotion,” based on that, should you really give all your passion to a job?
OUTFIT DETAILS: pants – Zara Man // Sweatshirt – Dopeciety // Oxford Shirt – Abercrombie & Fitch // Shoes – Jeffrey Campbell // Specs – JINS Eyewear // Belt Bag – Gucci
My short stint in corporate America taught me that you can give your everything to a company and they will still replace you when they see fit. The fact is you must have more invested in yourself and the life you ultimately want to lead away from your job, or disappointment is inevitable. You should aim to make your career something that brings you joy. I wholly support following your dreams and finding positions, places, and things that allow you to function at your best. I also believe that is different from passion. Passion is when you can’t stop thinking about something, it encompasses you, it is you. For instance I am passionate about leaving my mark on the world. You see how that is not confined by a job title or a place of employment? Our goals should not be wrapped up in something fleeting like job titles but rather should be tied to something that can exist in every facet of our lives.
So the question remains – do you need passion to succeed? When it comes to doing well on your job and moving up the ladder; no, I don’t believe that requires passion. It does need dedication, skill, and the desire to learn. There is a playbook you must follow when it comes to excelling in your field, to make that happen there are requirements you must meet. Enjoying your line of work is helpful when it comes to elevation, but it does not have to be where your passion lies. Success is contingent upon you making the most of the hours you have, the hand you’ve been dealt, and the moments you seize. Don’t let the thirst for passion keep you from achieving it.
Photography: RSEE Photography
Figuring out what you are passionate about is a success all on its own. Have you discovered yours? Let’s discuss.
xx,
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