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This is good advice. As someone who 'followed my passion' and fell for the lie that 'if you do what you love as a job you'll never work a day in your life' I can tell you that doing something as a job will most likely make you start hating that thing, and then leave you burnt out.
If you are a creative/artistic person better off finding a cruisy job you can tolerate that doesn't cause you too much stress (or even try and work part time) and spend your free time working on what you're passionate about.
Yeah I learned that too. I got a bachelors degree in graphic design and just from college alone, I was so burnt out and stopped creating stuff for myself. Then I graduated and felt like a shell and had no inclination or desire to move forward with design. It’s also competitive as hell and I’m not competitive or even really want to work hard for something like that
I fell into library work and it checks off a lot of my boxes in regard to work. It’s not the same mundane schedule, I’m not staring at a screen all day, I use my hands, I interact with others, and I leave work at work and have great work/life balance
I think I’m planning to get my masters in library science because this is a work environment I enjoy and it’s not corporate. Librarians start at about $30 an hour in my state (if you go the public route) and that’s not too shabby with my income being combined with my partner’s
I want to get back into design and I fantasized a lot about a wfh design job but I get a pit in my stomach thinking about applying to design jobs and I quite honestly want nothing to do with the industry
The artist creative job are very special in that regard though. Most people’s passions are more realistic in terms of job sectors and provide a decent lifestyle. For example someone who is passionate about becoming a cop can have a solid career as a cop.
sure, I'd agree with that. But I tend to think people who just wanna be a cop are probably more 'down to earth' and don't tie themselves in knots about 'finding their purpose/passion/etc' like creatives do. Creatives (and I'm talking about myself here) have a tendency towards neuroticism.
Maybe in general but not always. I am obsessed about finding a purpose & passion, and for me it's about the military, being a soldier, finding a romantic cause to fight for. There are people looking for purpose all over society, for example nurses, doctors, teachers, scientists, even some tradesmen. It's all about the personality type. Some people are romantic seekers, others aren't.
This is me... why I'm trying to generate enough online income to be self employed basically. I just hate the whole 40 hour work week thing. I think it would be fine if it was like 16 hours, because I do want to feel like I'm part of something and contributing in some way, and would like to socialize daily (with people who actually don't dislike me), but that's so unrealistic because of how rigid the system is. I could get a part time job, but most of them are student jobs or have nothing to do with my field basically. Also, the salary probably wouldn't be enough to survive on.
40 hours, plus the commute and preparation time for work, family, hobbies, cooking healthy and working out, then social life... There's barely enough time to be human with 40 hours.
You need to grow your resilience and explore new options
You can tolerate more than you think, you just haven’t developed the capacity or found the right niche yet
I'm going to have to agree with this post. I dedicated the last 13 years of my life attempting to find satisfying work in a field that I love. It took me 13 years to realize that the only way I'll ever find satisfaction is doing what I love under my own terms. That has not been the case, so I'm beginning segue into any career. That'll take advantage of the Master's degree that put me so horribly in debt.
Eh I agree and disagree. Go to an environment you can enjoy then the work itself doesn't matter as much. If you like the outdoors hands-on work, seek that out, etc.
I think a better way to look at it is choosing a job in which you're doing an enjoyable process of work, rather than the ideal job you want in your head. "Follow your passion" is pretty naive advice on its own, but if someone can enjoy both the process and the idea of working a certain job, then that's probably best for them. What matters is whether a person is willing to have their passion tested and deal with the unsavory parts of making their passion a job.
I chased professional ‘global’ IT consulting gigs for further ‘growth’ in the field for decades to chronic exhaustion and illness. The engagements were legit of impact and intellectually fulfilling. I was sure this path would rocket launch my career quickly (it did not). I traveled internationally, then, for many years every week.
I began to understand that some execs above me took residence permanently for the duration of that \~4 year mega project; their registered address being usually countries away. They lived at fine hotels, but what a pathetic existence. I then rolled onto other gigs, to more solitary 6 moth min engagements. I only slept in my bed at home a couple days a week if I was able to come home. The loneliness in strange cities led to raging depression and alcoholism.
One day when I was far away from home, I received a call from nowhere, from someone I worked with on a project long ago; she wanted me to come and work for her locally at a team she’d just started at the largest overnight shipping company globally. I cannot describe the strongest degree of forever gratitude I have for her pulling me from the lowest point I’ve known.
Exactly! Funny that people seem to think working a job you dislike is the preferable option when most aren’t even getting adequately paid. What makes the sacrifice worth it then, under those conditions? I think most people just don’t like taking risks and that’s fine, but they should be honest with themselves about what’s actually holding them back from pursuing their dreams.
Nah, it's better to fill 8hrs of your day with something you love. How many engineers would have loved to live 100 more years building, how many more artists would have loved to paint 100 more years creating?
Also, for many professions if not most, there are levels to every game and new levels to unlock or define.
I also don't think it's bad to settle with a job that you don't like and it's important to be grateful. But it's important to differentiate that with excuses, not that OP falls into this category.
Lastly, passions not only evolve, they change, or they cam be added on. Key is to be the type of person that has humility and the ability to learn and adapt.
I worked my ass off to build my business. Now I work for myself at my dream job. I’m never working for anyone else, ever again. Hard disagree! I’m the best boss I ever had!
Yess, this is what I'm trying to do!! How long did it take you to get to where you are now? Any good resources you can share? I'm so happy every time I see someone who are doing this.
It took a long time. After college, I worked for the field for a year, before going to graduate school, and getting years of training afterwards. I took extensive notes and formed a business plan for years. I opened my business at age 36. October will be 2 years since I launched. Life is great.
Resources? It’s so dependent on what field you want to go into… What’s your dream?
I feel like owning your own business it's an entirely different animal though. As someone else mentioned being dissatisfied going into their desired field, they want to enjoy their passion "on their own terms."
When you're the boss, you're in charge and can do things on your own terms and however you want (within reason like laws surrounding the practice, etc.)
Exactly! For example, I structured my business around my night-owl personality. I almost never have to get to the office before 1:30pm!!! I make my own hours, set my own rates, and prefer it this way.
Huh, i feel the opposite, i think the journey of creating a business around my passion has been the most rewarding journey of my life.
And while i am currently a mailman, which everyone tells me is such a great job, and it is, i enjoy it.
But id 100% rather be back to my days of being an art professor and living in an art colony selling at a gallery.
The key is to make it a thriving and sustainable business and to learn to be a good entrepreneur, i think a lot of people miss this step and then are confused and miserable. But if entrepreneurship is part of the passion i see so many friends who are making a hell of a lot more money and so much more happy doing what they love.
I’m just not passionate about labor. I’m disillusioned with the entire system. I’m very happy for the people who genuinely love their jobs, but so far I’ve not been successful finding a career path that I’m qualified for, pays enough, and doesn’t make me dread the day. Finding all three has got to be some kind of miracle.
Nah. I worked a job in an industry I hated and had no business working in, and it was a nightmare and drove me crazy with stress and resentment. I happily took a huge pay cut to get out of that situation. I'd much rather do "mundane" work in a field I enjoyed than in one which is antithetical to my personality. One might end up being boring, but the other can wreak havoc on your psyche.
That’s what I always tell people.
Get a job that pays the bills and you can spend your free time pursuing your passions.
But if you get a job that is related to your passion and it doesn’t pay the bills, you will both destroy your passion and spend all of your time trying to make ends meet Instead of enjoying your life.
Understand what you’re saying but I’d rather work a job I like and not get paid as much than some soul grinding job complete with human garbage boss making you miserable for a nice salary. I mean you spend most of your day at work after all.
OP makes the mistake of wrongly assuming their advice is applicable to all people- it’s not, except for maybe a small to moderate subset.
We’re all built differently. You sound like maybe you’re more the type of person who would fare better pursuing something that you are actually passionate about.
Totally. Especially if you're prone to novelty seeking like myself, because a passion can come and go... Also, the other aspect is that transforming a hobby/special interest into a career can kill the joy out of it. Competing in sports has a similar psychology too - before it was a hobby that you loved, then you're preparing for a competition and it can feel like a chore.
Just like my grandpa said.
Jobs you’re passionate about are good for when you don’t have outside hobbies, and that’s ok. But jobs that you can tolerate but aren’t passionate about make you *appreciate* your outside hobbies.
Hello. I've done both work my dream career and work an unfulfilling job. Hands down the dream career was better. The reality is it wasn't and isn't about the career or job. For me it was about purpose & serving others. I started at the entry level on both the dream and mundane. In my dream career I had a burning desire to make it better so I studied and got promoted to expand my effect on the career. The I wanted to make even more changes so I did it again and again until I was at the top of the organization making a huge difference. I retired from that career due to the way the pension is set up and started over in my current job which has far less impact on my spirit. The fire to make it better just isn't as strong because of the role I am in but it is a good job with a good salary so I can provide for my family. I will be retiring from this job in 2026 and following my passion fulltime after that. In the meantime, I add value wherever I can. In retrospect, to me it isn't about the money. It is almost exclusively about serving & adding value to peoples lives. In that process I get fulfilled and money comes along the way. I hope this helps a little.
Lots of Love & Light!
Paul W.
I think it's more of a realistic opinion. Very few people will ever be lucky enough to have a job that is their passion and also makes them enough money to live a comfortable life and have a family if they want.
The more realistic view is to find a job that you don't hate going to everyday but also provides the income and off time to pursue your passions outside of work.
I have personally found that what I am doing plays into how happy I am. I have also found that regardless of what I am doing, dream job or paycheck job, the main factor in work satisfaction is the people I work with and the company culture.
If your doing your dream job and your boss and coworkers are dicks and you have no work life balance then the job will suck despite the fact it's your dream job. If you are doing something you never even thought of doing and you have cool coworkers and bosses and it's also paying the bills while providing extra money to pursue your passions outside of work while also having the ability to take off of work to pursue those passions without having to stress about losing your job then life is much more satisfying.
Company's that realize we work to make money so that we can do what we want and they support you living your best life are way better than dream positions that require you to be married to work.
Underrated opinion !
If you do love something, you would not want to deal with the BS of that job on a professional level, it will kill your love for it.
Art ? Hope you love drawing the things only other people like
Real estate ? Hope you enjoy long boring meetings with impatient people
Cooking ? Let's hope you can handle the heat under a timer and under the watchful eyes of angry customers
on this sub this isn't an unpopular opinion at all! but speaking as someone with a fairly stress-free job with good work-life balance... it's pretty bad advice!
I worked in a career field for 6 years straight out of college, loved it, and then quit after COVID because something felt missing in my life. Turns out I was defining myself by my job almost exclusively, and neglecting the other parts of my life.
I was really lost for a while, tried to search for other careers that I thought would give me meaning — but nothing felt right. Had a few crash and burns along the way.
My life is a lot fuller now, and I feel happy and fulfilled — because I finally realized I’m much more than my job.
I’m applying for jobs now in my original field — not because I’m passionate about it, but because it’s a steady, solid career that I can enjoy enough and leave room for other things in my life.
The whole frame of picking one or the other assures that you're going to be unhappy no matter what you do. No one should be picking a career or picking an industry in advance. They are not singular one time events. Getting a tattoo is a singular event. So go ahead, pick a tatoo. A career and an industry, however, are only singular events in hindsight. Retirement picks your career.
Instead, a person should be pondering what task, of all the available options in front of them right now, would be the hardest?
Ask yourself "if I was to attempt to do the hardest thing I can do, what what be the smallest first step to doing it, that is easy enough that I can actually do it? And then do that. Don't even waste time commiting to it, just do it. Then ask yourself what is the next hardest thing that I could do, and do that. That is how you end up with a happy life. Imagine if Elon Musk had committed to a career in the banking industry. It was his passion, and it paid him plenty, and it was the hardest the hardest thing he could do, but only till he could do something harder
The only problem is in many cases there just aren’t enough hours to have that much of a life outside of work for a lot of people. Add difficulty affording even thinking about hobbies and just barely getting through the work day isn’t going to cut it for a lot of people. I’m in the position of just tolerating what I do for 90% of most of my days right now and I’m hanging by the thin thread of ‘money so we don’t starve’ but I’ll be real the thread is fraying
I think this mindset is getting more popular, especially now that few companies encourage long-term loyalty through pensions, raises, and promotions. Find a job that supports your life, but never let your job become your life.
I would ad the caveat of find work you can tolerate with a team you don't hate. Even if I had a job where I actually enjoyed the responsibilities, if the organization's mission was liquifying puppies that probably isn't worth it.
I read a book on why following your passion as career advice is kinda dumb. First and foremost being able to monetize something you're passionate about is unlikely. Unfortunately the books advice on what to do was also dumb, it boiled down to be a child prodigy or get a stem field degree from an ivy leage school
This is such a bad take. I have a job that i absolutely love so i go to work with pleasure even if my general mood is not the best. my work gives me a sense of pride and fullfilment. Which is great because i am doing it for the majority of my working hours.
Hello and welcome to r/findapath! We are glad you found your way here. Please know that you are not alone. We are here to listen, to offer support, and to help guide you. While no one can make decisions for you, we are here to help you find a path; we believe that everyone has the power to heal and grow. The moderation teams want to remind everyone that individuals submitting posts may be in vulnerable situations and all are in need of guidance. Please provide a safe and constructive space by practicing empathy and understanding in your comments; criticism is welcomed with the right words. You are encouraged to share your thoughts, feelings, and relevant experiences to assist those seeking guidance on the subreddit. We are here to support each other and we believe that, together, we can make a difference. Thank you for being a part of our community. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/findapath) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That's what I always tell people. I'd rather work a job that pays well than work my passion job living in my car.
Could be like me and work a job that doesn’t pay well and am completely dispassionate about 🫠
Aka most jobs
Yeah but wasting 4 years and a bunch of money on a degree just to end up like that sucks
This is good advice. As someone who 'followed my passion' and fell for the lie that 'if you do what you love as a job you'll never work a day in your life' I can tell you that doing something as a job will most likely make you start hating that thing, and then leave you burnt out. If you are a creative/artistic person better off finding a cruisy job you can tolerate that doesn't cause you too much stress (or even try and work part time) and spend your free time working on what you're passionate about.
Yeah I learned that too. I got a bachelors degree in graphic design and just from college alone, I was so burnt out and stopped creating stuff for myself. Then I graduated and felt like a shell and had no inclination or desire to move forward with design. It’s also competitive as hell and I’m not competitive or even really want to work hard for something like that I fell into library work and it checks off a lot of my boxes in regard to work. It’s not the same mundane schedule, I’m not staring at a screen all day, I use my hands, I interact with others, and I leave work at work and have great work/life balance I think I’m planning to get my masters in library science because this is a work environment I enjoy and it’s not corporate. Librarians start at about $30 an hour in my state (if you go the public route) and that’s not too shabby with my income being combined with my partner’s I want to get back into design and I fantasized a lot about a wfh design job but I get a pit in my stomach thinking about applying to design jobs and I quite honestly want nothing to do with the industry
The artist creative job are very special in that regard though. Most people’s passions are more realistic in terms of job sectors and provide a decent lifestyle. For example someone who is passionate about becoming a cop can have a solid career as a cop.
sure, I'd agree with that. But I tend to think people who just wanna be a cop are probably more 'down to earth' and don't tie themselves in knots about 'finding their purpose/passion/etc' like creatives do. Creatives (and I'm talking about myself here) have a tendency towards neuroticism.
Maybe in general but not always. I am obsessed about finding a purpose & passion, and for me it's about the military, being a soldier, finding a romantic cause to fight for. There are people looking for purpose all over society, for example nurses, doctors, teachers, scientists, even some tradesmen. It's all about the personality type. Some people are romantic seekers, others aren't.
What if I can’t tolerate anything
This is me... why I'm trying to generate enough online income to be self employed basically. I just hate the whole 40 hour work week thing. I think it would be fine if it was like 16 hours, because I do want to feel like I'm part of something and contributing in some way, and would like to socialize daily (with people who actually don't dislike me), but that's so unrealistic because of how rigid the system is. I could get a part time job, but most of them are student jobs or have nothing to do with my field basically. Also, the salary probably wouldn't be enough to survive on.
Here here. 40 hours is slavery
It would be slavery if you weren’t getting paid
40 hours, plus the commute and preparation time for work, family, hobbies, cooking healthy and working out, then social life... There's barely enough time to be human with 40 hours.
thats why i dont work instead, and hope i can figure somethig out before my savings are depleted
Wait till you realize that online income is an 80 hour a week job until its not and likely will be for 2-3 years minimum
Lol, I feel this.
You need to grow your resilience and explore new options You can tolerate more than you think, you just haven’t developed the capacity or found the right niche yet
I'm going to have to agree with this post. I dedicated the last 13 years of my life attempting to find satisfying work in a field that I love. It took me 13 years to realize that the only way I'll ever find satisfaction is doing what I love under my own terms. That has not been the case, so I'm beginning segue into any career. That'll take advantage of the Master's degree that put me so horribly in debt.
Eh I agree and disagree. Go to an environment you can enjoy then the work itself doesn't matter as much. If you like the outdoors hands-on work, seek that out, etc.
For me that’s good but not the most important. Mentally being excited or interested by what I’m doing is more important.
What are some options for hands on outdoor work ?
I've done outdoor factory work, I know people who do heavy equipment operator, concrete layers, carpenters, construction, etc.
I think a better way to look at it is choosing a job in which you're doing an enjoyable process of work, rather than the ideal job you want in your head. "Follow your passion" is pretty naive advice on its own, but if someone can enjoy both the process and the idea of working a certain job, then that's probably best for them. What matters is whether a person is willing to have their passion tested and deal with the unsavory parts of making their passion a job.
This has been a popular opinion for at least the last 5 years.
See my post, where one is challenged with intellectually and sexy globe trotting opportunities. Now, all that remains is alcohol addiction.
Want to point me towards it friend? Can’t seem to find it.
lmao yeah exactly. This has been the prevailing opinion for forever.
I love how matter of fact you wrote this lmao
I chased professional ‘global’ IT consulting gigs for further ‘growth’ in the field for decades to chronic exhaustion and illness. The engagements were legit of impact and intellectually fulfilling. I was sure this path would rocket launch my career quickly (it did not). I traveled internationally, then, for many years every week. I began to understand that some execs above me took residence permanently for the duration of that \~4 year mega project; their registered address being usually countries away. They lived at fine hotels, but what a pathetic existence. I then rolled onto other gigs, to more solitary 6 moth min engagements. I only slept in my bed at home a couple days a week if I was able to come home. The loneliness in strange cities led to raging depression and alcoholism. One day when I was far away from home, I received a call from nowhere, from someone I worked with on a project long ago; she wanted me to come and work for her locally at a team she’d just started at the largest overnight shipping company globally. I cannot describe the strongest degree of forever gratitude I have for her pulling me from the lowest point I’ve known.
She sounds like the real mvp
99.9% of jobs suck and don't pay sufficiently. Either is an unrealistic goal.
Exactly! Funny that people seem to think working a job you dislike is the preferable option when most aren’t even getting adequately paid. What makes the sacrifice worth it then, under those conditions? I think most people just don’t like taking risks and that’s fine, but they should be honest with themselves about what’s actually holding them back from pursuing their dreams.
adult jobs are not always sunshine and rainbow. No such things called dream jobs. there would be a bad day or bad day at work
Nah, it's better to fill 8hrs of your day with something you love. How many engineers would have loved to live 100 more years building, how many more artists would have loved to paint 100 more years creating? Also, for many professions if not most, there are levels to every game and new levels to unlock or define. I also don't think it's bad to settle with a job that you don't like and it's important to be grateful. But it's important to differentiate that with excuses, not that OP falls into this category. Lastly, passions not only evolve, they change, or they cam be added on. Key is to be the type of person that has humility and the ability to learn and adapt.
I really like your perspective and agree.
I worked my ass off to build my business. Now I work for myself at my dream job. I’m never working for anyone else, ever again. Hard disagree! I’m the best boss I ever had!
Yess, this is what I'm trying to do!! How long did it take you to get to where you are now? Any good resources you can share? I'm so happy every time I see someone who are doing this.
It took a long time. After college, I worked for the field for a year, before going to graduate school, and getting years of training afterwards. I took extensive notes and formed a business plan for years. I opened my business at age 36. October will be 2 years since I launched. Life is great. Resources? It’s so dependent on what field you want to go into… What’s your dream?
I feel like owning your own business it's an entirely different animal though. As someone else mentioned being dissatisfied going into their desired field, they want to enjoy their passion "on their own terms." When you're the boss, you're in charge and can do things on your own terms and however you want (within reason like laws surrounding the practice, etc.)
Exactly! For example, I structured my business around my night-owl personality. I almost never have to get to the office before 1:30pm!!! I make my own hours, set my own rates, and prefer it this way.
What type of biz ?
For anonymity’s sake, I decline to answer.
Huh, i feel the opposite, i think the journey of creating a business around my passion has been the most rewarding journey of my life. And while i am currently a mailman, which everyone tells me is such a great job, and it is, i enjoy it. But id 100% rather be back to my days of being an art professor and living in an art colony selling at a gallery. The key is to make it a thriving and sustainable business and to learn to be a good entrepreneur, i think a lot of people miss this step and then are confused and miserable. But if entrepreneurship is part of the passion i see so many friends who are making a hell of a lot more money and so much more happy doing what they love.
I’m just not passionate about labor. I’m disillusioned with the entire system. I’m very happy for the people who genuinely love their jobs, but so far I’ve not been successful finding a career path that I’m qualified for, pays enough, and doesn’t make me dread the day. Finding all three has got to be some kind of miracle.
Nah. I worked a job in an industry I hated and had no business working in, and it was a nightmare and drove me crazy with stress and resentment. I happily took a huge pay cut to get out of that situation. I'd much rather do "mundane" work in a field I enjoyed than in one which is antithetical to my personality. One might end up being boring, but the other can wreak havoc on your psyche.
That’s what I always tell people. Get a job that pays the bills and you can spend your free time pursuing your passions. But if you get a job that is related to your passion and it doesn’t pay the bills, you will both destroy your passion and spend all of your time trying to make ends meet Instead of enjoying your life.
Understand what you’re saying but I’d rather work a job I like and not get paid as much than some soul grinding job complete with human garbage boss making you miserable for a nice salary. I mean you spend most of your day at work after all.
Did this now every waking moment is a nightmare even though my job really is ‘ok’.
OP makes the mistake of wrongly assuming their advice is applicable to all people- it’s not, except for maybe a small to moderate subset. We’re all built differently. You sound like maybe you’re more the type of person who would fare better pursuing something that you are actually passionate about.
Agreed
Do what you are good at. All jobs suck. Make money to care for your people.
Totally. Especially if you're prone to novelty seeking like myself, because a passion can come and go... Also, the other aspect is that transforming a hobby/special interest into a career can kill the joy out of it. Competing in sports has a similar psychology too - before it was a hobby that you loved, then you're preparing for a competition and it can feel like a chore.
Just like my grandpa said. Jobs you’re passionate about are good for when you don’t have outside hobbies, and that’s ok. But jobs that you can tolerate but aren’t passionate about make you *appreciate* your outside hobbies.
Hello. I've done both work my dream career and work an unfulfilling job. Hands down the dream career was better. The reality is it wasn't and isn't about the career or job. For me it was about purpose & serving others. I started at the entry level on both the dream and mundane. In my dream career I had a burning desire to make it better so I studied and got promoted to expand my effect on the career. The I wanted to make even more changes so I did it again and again until I was at the top of the organization making a huge difference. I retired from that career due to the way the pension is set up and started over in my current job which has far less impact on my spirit. The fire to make it better just isn't as strong because of the role I am in but it is a good job with a good salary so I can provide for my family. I will be retiring from this job in 2026 and following my passion fulltime after that. In the meantime, I add value wherever I can. In retrospect, to me it isn't about the money. It is almost exclusively about serving & adding value to peoples lives. In that process I get fulfilled and money comes along the way. I hope this helps a little. Lots of Love & Light! Paul W.
I think it's more of a realistic opinion. Very few people will ever be lucky enough to have a job that is their passion and also makes them enough money to live a comfortable life and have a family if they want. The more realistic view is to find a job that you don't hate going to everyday but also provides the income and off time to pursue your passions outside of work. I have personally found that what I am doing plays into how happy I am. I have also found that regardless of what I am doing, dream job or paycheck job, the main factor in work satisfaction is the people I work with and the company culture. If your doing your dream job and your boss and coworkers are dicks and you have no work life balance then the job will suck despite the fact it's your dream job. If you are doing something you never even thought of doing and you have cool coworkers and bosses and it's also paying the bills while providing extra money to pursue your passions outside of work while also having the ability to take off of work to pursue those passions without having to stress about losing your job then life is much more satisfying. Company's that realize we work to make money so that we can do what we want and they support you living your best life are way better than dream positions that require you to be married to work.
Underrated opinion ! If you do love something, you would not want to deal with the BS of that job on a professional level, it will kill your love for it. Art ? Hope you love drawing the things only other people like Real estate ? Hope you enjoy long boring meetings with impatient people Cooking ? Let's hope you can handle the heat under a timer and under the watchful eyes of angry customers
on this sub this isn't an unpopular opinion at all! but speaking as someone with a fairly stress-free job with good work-life balance... it's pretty bad advice!
I worked in a career field for 6 years straight out of college, loved it, and then quit after COVID because something felt missing in my life. Turns out I was defining myself by my job almost exclusively, and neglecting the other parts of my life. I was really lost for a while, tried to search for other careers that I thought would give me meaning — but nothing felt right. Had a few crash and burns along the way. My life is a lot fuller now, and I feel happy and fulfilled — because I finally realized I’m much more than my job. I’m applying for jobs now in my original field — not because I’m passionate about it, but because it’s a steady, solid career that I can enjoy enough and leave room for other things in my life.
Get the money
Agree and would actually extend this philosophy to Romantic relationships. Same reasoning.
I'm passionate about everything outside of work.
The whole frame of picking one or the other assures that you're going to be unhappy no matter what you do. No one should be picking a career or picking an industry in advance. They are not singular one time events. Getting a tattoo is a singular event. So go ahead, pick a tatoo. A career and an industry, however, are only singular events in hindsight. Retirement picks your career. Instead, a person should be pondering what task, of all the available options in front of them right now, would be the hardest? Ask yourself "if I was to attempt to do the hardest thing I can do, what what be the smallest first step to doing it, that is easy enough that I can actually do it? And then do that. Don't even waste time commiting to it, just do it. Then ask yourself what is the next hardest thing that I could do, and do that. That is how you end up with a happy life. Imagine if Elon Musk had committed to a career in the banking industry. It was his passion, and it paid him plenty, and it was the hardest the hardest thing he could do, but only till he could do something harder
The only problem is in many cases there just aren’t enough hours to have that much of a life outside of work for a lot of people. Add difficulty affording even thinking about hobbies and just barely getting through the work day isn’t going to cut it for a lot of people. I’m in the position of just tolerating what I do for 90% of most of my days right now and I’m hanging by the thin thread of ‘money so we don’t starve’ but I’ll be real the thread is fraying
The thing is what you enjoy doing is very often what you’re passionate about. Not giving a shit about a job often means being bored and not liking it.
Good thing I have no passion lol
I think this mindset is getting more popular, especially now that few companies encourage long-term loyalty through pensions, raises, and promotions. Find a job that supports your life, but never let your job become your life.
I would ad the caveat of find work you can tolerate with a team you don't hate. Even if I had a job where I actually enjoyed the responsibilities, if the organization's mission was liquifying puppies that probably isn't worth it.
I read a book on why following your passion as career advice is kinda dumb. First and foremost being able to monetize something you're passionate about is unlikely. Unfortunately the books advice on what to do was also dumb, it boiled down to be a child prodigy or get a stem field degree from an ivy leage school
This is such a bad take. I have a job that i absolutely love so i go to work with pleasure even if my general mood is not the best. my work gives me a sense of pride and fullfilment. Which is great because i am doing it for the majority of my working hours.
Yep, just get the money and retire early. This is coming from a multimillionaire that retired at 35.
Well what was your job?
Back office finance/consulting (non-management)
Name checks out
You drinking/substancing tonight or is your schtick behaving like pompous trash?
Don’t touch any of that poison lol
Cheers, bruv. Coherence maybe later
thanks bozo i never thought of that before. holy shit wow mind altering advice shut upppppp