This is why "follow your passion and you'll find happiness" is a fairy tale

Career advice has fallen into a terribly simplistic rut. 

Figure out what you’re passionate about, then follow that passion; 

this idea provides the foundation for just about every guide to improving your working life.

- Cal Newport, Study Hacks

How many times have you heard that in your life and career? I know I've heard in like a trillion. I've believed it at times and I've also challenged as well [in my own head].

Hmmm?? Follow your passions or just be passionate about what you do? It's like chicken and the egg to me.

What I like about the writing of Cal Newport is that it challenges conventional thinking. 

Among other things, Cal has basically argued: while following your passion may be an approach, it may not be the best approach, and certainly isn't the only approach to cultivating an enjoyable work and personal life.

If you want to dive into specifics of that argument, I suggest you read his thoughts and arguments in: Beyond Passion: The Science Of Loving What You Do and The Zen Valedictorian.

For this post, I am focused the beginnings of Cal's deductive conclusions; which he's made into a list of propositions for a career craftsman to follow. He has titled it "A Career Manifesto".

If you are like me, and you believe that we all have the ability to change what we do not like, and create what we wish to see happen, then I think you will like this too. 

A Career Manifesto by Cal Newport Original Post

The Career Craftsman rejects [the concept from above: "following your passion" provides the foundation for improving your working life].

The Career Craftsman understands that “follow your passion and all will be happy” is a children’s tale. Most people don’t have pre-existing passions waiting to be unearthed. Happiness requires more than solving a simple matching problem.

The Career Craftsman knows there’s no magical “right job” waiting out there for you. Any number of pursuits can provide the foundation for an engaging life.

The Career Craftsman believes that compelling careers are not courageously pursued or serendipitously discovered, but are instead systematically crafted.

The Career Craftsman believes this process of career crafting always begins with the mastery of something rare and valuable. The traits that define great work (autonomy, creativity, impact, recognition) are rare and valuable themselves, and you need something to offer in return. Put another way: no one owes you a fulfilling job; you have to earn it.

The Career Craftsman believes that mastery is just the first step in crafting work you love. Once you have the leverage of a rare and valuable skill, you need to apply this leverage strategically to make your working life increasingly fulfulling. It is then — and only then — that you should expect a feeling of passion for your work to truly take hold.

The Career Craftsman thinks the idea that “societal expectations” are trying to hold you down in a safe but boring career path is a boogeyman invented to sell eBooks. You don’t need courage to create a cool life. You need the type of valuable skills that let you write your own ticket.

The Career Craftsman never expects to love an entry level job (or to stay in that job long before moving up).

The Career Craftsman thinks “is this my calling?” is a stupid question.

The Career Craftsman is data-driven. Admire someone’s career? Work out exactly how they made it happen. The answers you’ll find will be less romantic but more actionable than you might expect.

The Career Craftsman believes the color of your parachute is irrelevant if you take the time to get good at flying the damn plane in the first place.

I merely stumbled on to this, but I'm curious to know what you all think? Comment with feedback!

Comments

[technical writing jobs]

my interest for fairy tale is so wide to the point that I wan to marry a prince. :)))