Chapter 1: The Misconception of Following Passion

Do not chase after your passion without a strategy. Passion can serve as a compass, but it needs to be paired with a solid plan.

Photo by Pablo Escobar on Unsplash

Life unfolds as we engage with it; don’t passively wait for experiences to come your way.

I genuinely enjoy my profession. Is it my true passion? Absolutely. Yet, I resonate with the notion that pursuing passion alone can be misleading.

The journey of not chasing my passion directly led me to discover what truly ignites my enthusiasm. Upon completing high school, I faced challenges in selecting a course that suited my interests. Ultimately, this path revealed to me what I didn’t wish to pursue.

Early childhood education? Definitely not for me. The pandemic, two decades later, solidified that realization.

Accounting? Absolutely not. Numbers make me uneasy, and my attempts at budgeting often frustrate my husband when I mistakenly round up a $79 expense to either $100 or $50.

Architectural drafting, however, piqued my interest. I committed to it and secured my first full-time role in the field, even landing a job in Singapore due to my skills. Yet, when I was laid off in 1997, I found myself without a job again. This was a mix of serendipity and sheer fortune.

In need of employment, I accepted various roles, including positions with an executive trainer and a dental clinic. These experiences ultimately shaped my current career path, as working at the clinic afforded me the opportunity to return to university and earn a business degree.

This job kept me financially secure while I prepared to pivot into training.

Once again, fate intervened. A job done well can create a strong attachment, and my role allowed me to work part-time, raise two children, and further my education. I felt a sense of loyalty to my employer.

However, my position was eliminated while I was on maternity leave. This challenging experience motivated me to seek new opportunities. This time, I deliberately pursued a role with a training company, turning down a management position at a medical clinic.

Finally, I found a job aligned with my passion. Unfortunately, it became one of the most trying periods of my life, yet it ultimately guided me here.

I dedicated twelve years to this company, constantly seeking improvement. Despite receiving frequent constructive criticism, I persevered, recognizing that it was helping me grow. I knew I could excel at my job, and I genuinely enjoyed it.

Last year was my most successful to date. I received overwhelming positive feedback after each session, whether held in-person or online. Participants appreciated my engaging delivery and actionable content.

My passion harmonized with my skills, allowing me to present my best self, which resonated well with others.

This brings me to my current situation. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I can no longer work in Singapore, plunging me into a state of melancholy that I'm gradually overcoming. This is a challenging time for me, yet my past experiences suggest that tough periods can lead to new opportunities.

This leads me back to the concept of passion. While it informs my aspirations, without action, it is meaningless. I am passionate about my work—how can I adapt it to my current reality?

My passion has inspired me to explore opportunities on YouTube. Now, I must transition from ideas to tangible actions. Simply recognizing what I love is insufficient; I need to take deliberate steps forward.

Passion can motivate us to pursue endeavors that may not yield financial rewards. For instance, I write on Medium with minimal compensation.

Why do I continue this pursuit?

Because writing brings me joy; it offers a chance for continuous improvement with every piece I create.

Despite earning no money, I've penned nine novels in my spare time. Not all are finished, but I brought concepts to life. When I encountered creative blocks, I shifted my focus to other projects. My passion fueled my writing journey, but it was my actions that ultimately led to progress. I had to write consistently, learn to edit, and overcome my fear of sharing my work.

Today, I have over one hundred published pieces. While I may not profit yet, I'm at a juncture where I aim to monetize my writing.

However, I’m not starting from scratch. I possess a portfolio of work, an understanding of my writing style, and a supportive community that provides feedback. All these steps pave the way for me to focus on monetizing my writing while managing other important tasks.

Looking ahead, my writing generates content for my YouTube channel. Additionally, my current job provides me with excellent resources for video production. I invested in this equipment when transitioning from in-person training to online formats, so it’s readily available for use.

Most people work primarily to sustain their livelihoods, which often limits the ability to pursue passions. However, we can still engage with our passions during our free time. Years of dedicating myself to my interests have equipped me to seize opportunities when circumstances shift.

Do not wait for passion to find you or shy away from pursuits simply because they don’t align with your passion. Often, the hardest challenges motivate us to pursue what we truly desire. Sometimes, we stumble into our passions while navigating through adversity.

Chapter 2: Insights from Experts

In this insightful video, Cal Newport discusses why following your passion can be detrimental to personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of developing skills and finding purpose in work.

This concise video offers a compelling perspective on why chasing passion can be misleading and how focusing on skill development and hard work can lead to fulfilling careers.