Already a member?

Click here to login

Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

Adam Gilbert is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Adam Gilbert and other professionals just like you. Learn more.

Posted On 01.29.09

A friend of mine feels lost because she has too many passions and she’s not sure what direction to go in.

I know how she feels.

And if you’re scratching your head wondering why you don’t have any passions stop scratching. We all have passions!

We all just don’t have passions that can make boatloads of money. And most don’t make any money. But until you realize that you’re not necessarily supposed to make money from your passions you’ll keep scratching your head.

There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t feel extremely grateful and fortunate for creating my dream business!

Because I remember exactly how I felt when I was at Ernst & Young; I always encourage people to go after their passions.

But again, that doesn’t mean you’re definitely going to make money by doing so. A passion is something you’d do whether you got paid or not.

If you’re able to make money from your passion(s) you’re insanely lucky. Because, for the most part, we can’t control what we love.

We tend to love things we’re good at. But we’re usually really good at things we love. Most likely, because we love doing them (which means practicing and learning)!

But what if you’re in the minority and you believe that you have a bunch of passions that you can turn into cash?

First off, we can all agree that we’re here (like on this Earth) to have fun right?

We can also agree that Leonardo DiCaprio has more fun being an actor than the struggling actor waiting tables right?

An A list blogger probably has more fun blogging than the blogger who has 4 readers including his dog right?

And that 50 Cent has more fun rapping than the rapper that wasn’t offered a record contract right?

I’m not saying that the struggling actor or that the rapper without a deal or the blogger with 4 readers isn’t having fun.

What I am saying is that the people who are the best at their craft, who are the best in the world at what they do, have more fun than those who aren’t.

It comes down to impact. Having an impact on people is thrilling!

If you’re lucky enough to have passions that make cash which passion will have the most impact?

Although I love writing about business and marketing, I now only pursue opportunities that are in alignment with my greatest passion: Helping people realize their body’s full potential.

And I’m convinced that my greatest passion has the chance to make the greatest impact.

And that’s why I consider myself insanely lucky.

Share and Enjoy:

Comments

Editor's Note: Inappropriate comments that are offensive to the author or not in context to the author's post will be removed. For editorial feedback, please contact our Community Manager through his user profile. Click here.
Seth Travis
January 29, 2009 10:03 pm

Wow, what a post, very much what so many Y'ers need to hear! I do not want to be a person that abandons my passion because I do not make money from it! Hopefully one day I will be boatloads rich from my passions, but for now I like to feel "en"riched because of my passions!

Great POST!

January 30, 2009 10:30 am

Thanks, Seth! I appreciate the kind words.

KateNonymous
January 30, 2009 11:03 am

"What I am saying is that the people who are the best at their craft, who are the best in the world at what they do, have more fun than those who aren’t."

I'm not sure I do agree with that, actually. I don't know how one would go about comparing the amount of fun people are having based on tangible success.

Sometimes things are more fun precisely because you don't get paid to do them, and can do them on your own terms. And sometimes the pursuit itself is fun, but the process of getting to that success is not itself fun.

For example, I would be really surprised if Lance Armstrong said, "The Tour de France is really fun!" I have no doubt that he finds biking fun--some of the time. And I have no doubt that he finds winning to be deeply satisfying and fulfilling. But that's not necessarily the same as fun.

Erich
February 4, 2009 9:42 am

Why go for just one? Check out book Renaissance Souls.

aquayers
February 21, 2009 2:14 pm

Thanks for the article,I have lot of passions and I don't know which one to pick,because it seems I'm wrong to do it all and I have to pick one.The problem is when I do one only and abandon/not prioritize the others,I get a panic attack.I'm still mulling over this.

Alan

Got Something To Say?

Got Something To Say?

You Must Be Logged In To Comment
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.

Today's Top Idea


Stop using your companies pre-printed thank you notes. Hand write a thank you note! Hand writing is much more personal and it shows you care. More...

Josh Swindle

Josh Swindle to All Fans

9 people have recommended this.

Join to recommend


scary_movies.jpg
social.png
fp.jpg
Gaithersburg,_Maryland 120px-.jpg

Grad School Zone

ScottShrum.jpg
Scott Shrum

Today is one of those extra exciting days at Veritas Prep HQ, when GMAT prep classes start in dozens of cities worldwide

Upcoming Events


    There are no upcoming events

U.S. Department of State...
Health Practitioner - For...
Facility Manager - Foreig...
Citigroup, Inc.
Proposal Writer — Cash ...
Business Banking Relation...
Randstad
Staffing Consultant
Staffing Consultant
NBC Universal, Inc.
Social Media Developer, O...
Production Assistant...
X