Finding Fulfilment Beyond the ‘Follow Your Passion’ Advice
Do you have to know your passion and turn it into a career right away? Absolutely not. Here’s a healthier, more realistic perspective.
The common advice from career counsellors is to “follow your passion.” While well-intentioned, this can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what you’re passionate about — or if your interests don’t seem like they could become a career. But not having a clear, career-ready passion doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.
Not Knowing Can Be a Good Thing
If you live into your 90s and work until your mid-70s, that’s over 50 years of professional life ahead of you. It’s hard to expect anyone to feel deeply committed to one single career path for that long.
Today’s students will likely hold around 17 different jobs and five distinct careers in their lifetime — many in industries that don’t even exist yet. That means you might discover a passion in 20 or 30 years that wasn’t even an option when you were in school.
Why “Passion” Might Be the Wrong Word
The word “passion” sounds dramatic, and it might not fit the long, changing journey of a career. At different stages in life, your motivations will shift. Sometimes you’ll prioritise doing something you love. Other times, you might focus on earning enough to support other goals.
You might even take a job that doesn’t excite you but offers stability — or find a balance, working in a role you enjoy enough while earning a comfortable income. Your passions and reasons for working will almost certainly evolve over time, and that’s normal.
Building a Career Without a Single Overriding Passion
If you’re not drawn to one specific career path, focus instead on skills and confidence. Identify what you do well and which activities make you feel capable and energised. Do you thrive working with numbers? Do you prefer the science lab, the sports field, or helping others?
And if you do have a passion — like baking, gardening, or cricket — but it’s not practical as a full-time career, remember: you don’t have to monetise everything you love. Many people balance what they’re good at with what they love, creating a more satisfying and varied life. This approach can actually help you stay happier and more motivated in the long run.
Why Waiting for Passion Can Hold You Back
You’ve probably heard, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” While it’s great to enjoy your work, expecting to love every moment is unrealistic. Even the most glamorous jobs have dull or frustrating aspects.
If you’re waiting for passion to strike before making career choices, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, focus on building skills, gaining experience, and contributing value. Often, the feeling of being helpful, capable, and making a positive difference is more fulfilling than chasing an abstract idea of passion.
