In today’s world, the mantra to “find your passion” seems to echo from every corner. Life coaches espouse it, friends encourage it, and parents often share it as wisdom. But let’s be real: this advice can be more harmful than helpful.
To begin with, what does “find your passion” truly mean? Should I devote my life to my love of baking chocolate chip cookies? While they are tasty, I doubt that would lead to a fulfilling career. Or should I aspire to a life dedicated to global healing, like a modern-day Mother Teresa? That’s not quite feasible for me either. And while I am deeply passionate about being a good parent, that doesn’t pay the bills.
When this advice is directed at teenagers or adults seeking career paths, it can feel overwhelming and unrealistic. The saying “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” sounds great, but it doesn’t account for the practicalities of student loans, mortgages, and childcare costs. The reality is that financial obligations don’t seem to care about our passions.
Interestingly, researchers share a similar sentiment. A study from experts at Stanford and Yale-NUS College in Singapore found a distinction between those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset. People with a fixed mindset believe that passions are simply revealed to them, while those with a growth mindset recognize that interests can evolve over time. The latter group generally experiences greater happiness, fulfillment, and success. Paul O’Connor, the lead researcher, emphasizes that encouraging people to develop their interests rather than simply “finding” them can lead to more productive outcomes. Instead of searching for an elusive passion, it’s vital to remain adaptable. Our interests today may not be the same in a few years.
A growth mindset doesn’t mean a lack of focus; rather, it acknowledges our evolving nature. It empowers us to leverage our past experiences to cultivate new interests. As O’Connor notes, “A growth mindset makes people more open to new and different interests and sustains those interests when pursuing them becomes difficult.”
Take my journey, for instance. Years ago, I was enthusiastic about law and pursued it in school, working in a major firm for a few years. Then I shifted my focus to writing, spending years as a legal writer. Eventually, my interests morphed into writing about life experiences, motherhood, and spirituality, and now I’m dedicated to uplifting the voices of emerging writers. This illustrates the importance of being flexible with our passions.
Some might argue that my varied interests reflect a lack of direction, but I prefer to see it as a commitment to cultivating a growth mindset.
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In summary, rather than searching for a singular passion, we should embrace the fact that interests can grow and change. Flexibility and a growth mindset can lead to greater satisfaction and success in life.
Keyphrase: Why ‘Find Your Passion’ Is Misguided
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