What’s your passion?
Is it a passion for passion? Do you make money from that passion?
Are you so passionate about it that you run 10k races in your wool Men’s Warehouse suit? Or jump into the air on the beach at sunset?
If you type “make money from your passion” into google, there are over eleven million results, most of them blog articles.
Eleven million.
That’s how many people have decided to make money from their passion of teaching others to make money from their passion.
All this passion is getting out of hand.
The idea of finding your passion has been around for ages. But where did the rampant craze start?
I blame Donald Trump.
From the very first season of the Apprentice, he’s been appearing in little vignettes during the commerials, shouting at us that “YOU’LL ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL LIKE ME IF YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO!” And then, in the boardroom, people will convince him they should stay for another week, just on the basis of passion.
“Why shouldn’t I fire you?”
“Mr. Trump, I’m a very passionate person. I’m passionate about what I do, and I’m passionate about becoming your apprentice. It’s my passion, sir.”
“OK. Passion’s important. That’s a very good answer. Other person, you’re fired.”
Now, every reality competition has taken up the “passion” battle cry:
“I know I underseasoned the pork belly confit, but I’m so passionate about food. Tom and Padma, please let me stay and show you my passion.”
“Standing before me are two beautiful girls. One has a fire for modeling. But she doesn’t know how to smile with her eyes. The other takes be-yooootiful pictures. But the judges feel she lacks passion.”
Guess which one’s staying? The passionate one who smiles with her buck-ass teeth.
Believe me, I’m all for passion.
It would be awesome if we could all be so excited about what we do for work that it doesn’t feel like work. Yay, Monday!
My holy grail is a job that feels just like it felt to do art projects when I was a kid. Nothing made a day zip by like drawing crude stick figures with disfigured feet and dripping way too much glue onto construction paper. There was no sense of time going by. I was one with the Elmers.
So what would give me that same feeling now?
Here’s where it gets tricky, and brings us to three reasons this whole passion discussion sucks.
1. Not everyone has a passion.
To identify your passion, according to these eleven million blog entrees, you’re supposed to think about what you’d do all day if money weren’t an issue. What are your hobbies? What’s the stuff you love doing, are great at, and would gladly do for no pay at all?
Some people don’t have an answer to this. They just mildly like a bunch of stuff and don’t have one thing they’re crazy about. So all this passion for passion that’s in the air makes them feel bad every time they try to figure out what theirs is.
“OK, I like to go for bike rides…but like, once a month. Is that a passion? I also like to bake brownies and Toll House cookies, but I’d rather have someone else make them and let me eat the dough. I like parts of my job in HR – like leaving for coffee, and getting a paycheck – but I wouldn’t do it for free. Oh no, I have no passion! How do all these other people have TOO MANY passions? I’m a loser!”
2. Some people know their passions, but have no real-world way to get paid for them.
Here’s what I’m passionate about: my husband, and watching TV. No one pays me to be married to my husband, not even my husband. Don’t get me wrong; there’s a huge payoff. But it’s not an income. (Some people do make big bucks from getting married, but to do that you have to come from Russia or China, and take a loser, mouth-breathing husband that no one could be passionate about, which is why he’s paying.)
As for watching TV, people remind me, “But you are paid for your passion. Because you work in TV.”
OK, back up. I really like writing TV promos, and I’m lucky to do it.
But would I if I had unlimited means?
Nope, I’d be too busy with my passion, which, I’ll repeat, is watching TV. Period.
That’s it. Just sitting there and watching, and making comments, if there’s someone else in the room. So to “cash in on my passion,” I’d need someone to shell out for the privilege of watching me watch TV. They could chime in with their own comments, but only during commercials. Any takers?
I also love dancing.
Hip hop, salsa, house. Love ’em all. But I have bad knees and sucky balance. So I can’t get down on the floor like all those young, Japanese hipsters in my house class. When we’re supposed to do that, I just sort of half-squat in solidarity. And I can’t spin for shit.
Not to mention, dancing pays crapola. But that’s not an issue. Because I know I’m not good enough to charge for it.
Which brings me to the next consequence of passion fever:
3) Being so-so to lousy doesn’t stop some people from “making it happen”.
They have a hobby, and all their friends and family tell them they’re good at it. So darn it, it’s time to take those words to heart and follow their bliss! Which means, what we’re facing is a nation of people quitting their jobs to make really ugly earrings.
Luckily, there’s always someone with a passion for running bad crafts fairs.
What about you? Have you cashed in on your passion? Do you think everyone has one?
Argue with me passionately in the comments.
I am curious to find out what blog system you have been working with?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find
something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?
You got it right..If we got rid of this idea of all-consuming fiery stay-up-all-night PASSION, and started talking about the simple act of moving toward and increasing the activities that energize you, soooo what I’m thinkin’ is you should set up and test live stream video or use video webinar software to capture you at home watching TV and see how many people sign up for free to watch it..just like that.
I love this piece of writing. I hate that word so much that I now just call it the “P-word” so i don’;t have to say it.
It’s so true! My problem is I don’t just watch the shows, I have to go online and read the fan message boards and spoilers too. AND I have to read all the books before the show starts if it’s based on a book (True Blood, Game of Thrones, etc)
YES – recently got into The Killing. The main detective (red-haired chick) was also one of the polygamists from the now defunct HBO show Big Love. I’m also oddly attracted to the male detective that talks like a white rapper. And it’s funny to see Michelle Forbes as a non-devil character that’s not participating in a group orgy.
🙂
Oh Laura, I think you are my soul mate. I was just saying today that all I want to do is hang with my husband and dog and watch TV all day! That’s my passion too! I often wonder how I can make time for all of the shows I watch – between every premium cable fantasy/medieval show to comedies to reality TV (hello Top Chef and ANTM fan here). I even write a True Blood fan newsletter.
I love this post!
Hi Melissa – I can always make time for my shows. I wish I were as consistent and fearless with everything else in my life as I am about watching TV. I am unstoppable.
I love that you write a True Blood newsletter.
Have you watched AMC’s The Killing? That devil woman from True Blood is one of the stars. But she doesn’t play Satan.
If you can “live your dream” “passionately” ” outside the box” in an “authenitic” manner, why, you would have so much money, you could retire from doing what you are “passionate” about!
That’s so true. Especially if you were doing it with a goal of “helping people” and “making a difference on the planet.” When you’re passionate about those things, you make even more money.
Hey Laura…
Hellooo…what about Mystery Science Theater?! That show was about watching them watch old movies and making fun of them…soooo what I’m thinkin’ is you should set up and test live stream video or use video webinar software to capture you at home watching TV and see how many people sign up for free to watch it…if you are on to something and it gets a big response then start a YouTube channel and make money from ads. [mwhahahaha]
p.s. I want to be there with you when you do it : )
p.s.s. LOVE the term Passion Pyramid!
Come on, you know you have to be an alien to get that MST3K job.
I kind of love your idea, but really – I’m not going to comment all the way through. So let me know if you’re still interested in watching me while i’m JUST WATCHING.
My mission is to expose the Passion Pyramid. It’s going down.
This cracked me up. Cal Newport (if you check out his blog at http://www.calnewport.com) is kind of making a study of ‘passion’ and how misunderstood/overrated it’s become — and even how damaging — you can waste your time and flit from one thing to another in search of your ‘passion’ instead of sticking around long enough at one thing to get through the difficult beginner stage — and *master* it — which might just be when you “discover” you have a passion for it after all.
If we got rid of this idea of all-consuming fiery stay-up-all-night PASSION, and started talking about the simple act of moving toward and increasing the activities that energize you, and deleting or minimizing or delegating the activities that drain you, we’d probably be a lot better off.
This cracked me up. Cal Newport (if you check out his blog at http://www.calnewport.com) is kind of making a study of ‘passion’ and how misunderstood/overrated it’s become — and even how damaging — you can waste your time and flit from one thing to another in search of your ‘passion’ instead of sticking around long enough at one thing to get through the difficult beginner stage — and *master* it — which might just be when you “discover” you have a passion for it after all.
If we got rid of this idea of all-consuming fiery stay-up-all-night PASSION, and started talking about the simple act of moving toward and increasing the activities that energize you, and deleting or minimizing or delegating the activities that drain you, we’d probably be a lot better off.
That’s exactly it. The faintest flicker of “suck” and we think, “Oh well – turns out I hate this. Guess it’s not my passion. Next up: watercolors.” I will check out that blog, thank you.
I’m passionate about this website. 😉
And obviously, YOU are passionate about words.
I agree that finding your passion is an overused phrase these days. Like having to name your absolute favorite food, the thing you could eat hot or cold, and not mind eating every single day. (let’s say pizza). But let’s face it, if you ate pizza every day at some point you will eventually vomit and not want to see the site of pizza for some time. I’m passionate about lots of things but still need a break from them from time to time. I say, find your passion(s) and rotate them!
I think the quest to find your passion is meant to make you believe that you’ll find happiness at the same time. If ONLY you can find your one passion then everything will be alright. It’s like the search for the meaning of life. Or your one love. I’d like to lobby for taking something you currently do already and treat it as if it were a passion. Done. You’ve found your passion. 🙂
I did for a long time wish that I was one of those people who studied something very singular and specific, like French Literature or being an Archeologist. It’s a finite amount of material that can be mastered. And you can spend your time doing that one thing and feel good about it. That feels like a passion. But finally I had to just embrace the fact that my interests are not that singular. I’ve got a lot of overlapping passions, I guess.
But I can say this. I am NOT passionate about Gardening or Accounting!
Hey, thanks, Agi! You know what I wish I were passionate about? Hedge fund management. How do I find that passion?
again, you’ve cracked another nail on the head with this one 🙂
My back-teeth ache after I’m done grinding my teeth at the lifestyle design bloggers who tell you that it’s all ahead of you if you just follow you passion! Just think of it… what’s your passion?
“Now that you know, you too can travel the world and do backflips while silhouetted by a gorgeous sunset. It’s easy! Just buy my e-book and find out how you too can tap your passions and be rich. For me, my passion is writing ebooks helping you to find your passion and getting rich off it! Genius.”
There’s certainly dollops of truth to the whole “find your passion” thing, but it’s not necessarily a given that you can earn a living from it. It would be just lovely if people would stop reassuring us that this is the case.
Another great post!
Thank you.
Oh, you’ve just touched on what I call the Passion Pyramid! Actually, I just named it that right now. Person hires coach to help them find their passion. They see their coach doing backflips in the sunset, and decide that their passion is coaching other people to find their passion. And so on, and so on.
I’m passionate about geeking out on the internets, so if that counts well then I’m already following it, right? But my secret “when I retire from making lots of moolah on the internet” fantasy is to become a hot librarian. I have no clue where that came from, but I imagine myself reading lots of steamy novels (and/or writing them) on quiet days. 😉
Yeah! You’re doing it. You have permission to use the “P” word. I have a feeling you’ll be a sexy librarian writing steamy novels about a librarian who reads steamy novels.
Ooh, I love the circular-ness of that. 😉
Guffawing as always, especially about (but not limited to) the mouth-breathing wife-buyers.
Believe it or not, in Spiritual Psychology school, they actually discouraged passion. Well, they discouraged the use of the word. They said it really meant “suffering” (like how Mel Gibson made us suffer through “Passion of the Christ”). But they did suggest equally obnoxious terms like “heart’s desire” and “authentic purpose.”
I’d like to go in on a sister act with you. Maybe we can get double pay if they watch us watch TV together. On second thought, our clients would probably be of the mouth-breathing variety.
“Authentic” is my other pet peeve! Ooh, that could be my authentic purpose/ paid passion: expressing pet peeves. Wait, I guess I already do that. Yes, let’s pitch that show! We’ll get mouth-breathers with money to watch us.
My pet peeve is “pet peeve.” Why is it a pet? Doesn’t that mean you kind of like the peeve? It’s something you feed and cuddle with. (Or, perhaps it’s the kind of pet you resent and forget to walk.)
Forgive me, I did stand-up tonight. I’m “riffing.”
Dear Queen of Copywriting, (that is my nickname for you, hope you don’t mind:) I have mixed feelings on this subject:
One one side I agree that the whole discussion of passion is repetitive at times but if you look around, you will find that most people in this western world, dislike or hate what they do, so perhaps it is not too bad to talk about it if it forces people to reconsider if there is a different way to live than what they experience day to day. Even if this means experiencing more passion outside of work. I think that people who are robbed of their live force by doing something they dislike, are less likely to turn on their “light” and be passionate when they get home.
I do agree with you, “living your passion” may not always be an event where everyone can live off from it, unless it can be combined with a way to add tremendous value to others. That is perhaps the missing ingredient in a lot of people that might not be able to live off their passion. But the way I look at it is, I would rather do something I love and be sh%t poor than something I hate and live “well off”.
Changing subjects a little bit, I would love nothing more than to watch that TV show about you watching TV and making insightful and extremely funny comments. I have no doubt it would be a highly rated show and hope it does come true for you.
Un abrazo,
Bernardo
Thanks, Bernardo, you may have restored my belief in passion. If you get a million other people to watch me watch TV, I could be in the money.
you could start w/ a 3 min video blog segment and it would catch on like fire 🙂
It’s sad when great words like “passion” get overused. Or when they’re added to our vocabs by the likes of Donald Trump! Personally, I love passion, it’s such a cool word.
But, like others here, I don’t think it means what most of those 11 million billion people think it does! I just want to spend my life doing what I’m good at and enjoy. Making money is also enjoyable. 🙂
I think it does mean what they think it means, but the overuse perpetuates a myth that everyone has a passion, and can (and should) get paid for it.
When people talk to me about showing a passion for work, this is what I hear: “blah blah blah I want you to work more for less money and smile while doing it so I don’t have to feel guilty about taking advantage of you blah blah blah I hate you.”
You sure they’re saying all that? Or is it just “I hate you,” period? I think you’re on to something there.
Can’t argue Sister! I’m passionate about reading & drinking wine. I’ll happily do both – for free – for the rest of my life. For a while, I guess I was passionate about no longer working for jerky bosses because I quit to start my own biz. No, I’m not a Professional Wine Drinker . . . have to go do some research on that.
I bet you’re really talented at drinking wine. Do you love doing it to help other people? Then boom, you’ve got a business.
I worked my passion for journalism for 12 years. I peaked at $36,000 a year. I make twice that doing soul-crushing marketing work. I prefer the paycheque.
Too bad having your soul crushed isn’t a passion. Man, that would be a lucrative one. I’m so behind you on the bigger pay choice. Money is great.
Well said!! I’ve been noticing lately how “passion”, “genius” and other really juicy words (like “juicy”) are starting to lose meaning from overuse. I do happen to be fortunate enough to be in the camp of people who have found their passion AND are making money from it. Not running 10K in my business suit along a beach, mind you, but money. I can’t help but I wonder how as a business/life coach I’ve been feeding into the “passion is king/queen” rah-rah-sis-boom-bah. Probably a fair bit. Because it IS an important place to start. AND I’m highly sensitive to those who have met their passion/thing/vocation yet. I work with people who want to find theirs, find theirs.
Thanks for the recalibration!
TG
PS – I blame Donald Trump for most things
PPS – off to read “hide your dancing penis umbrella…how could I not?
Tanya – add “gorgeous” to that list. “Dee-gorgeous” is still ok though.
I HATE “juicy.” I think it’s disgusting. Unless the context is “gossip”. That’s the only way the word doesn’t make me think of something unpleasantly pornographic.
I HATE “juicy.” I think it’s disgusting. Unless the context is “gossip”. That’s the only way the word doesn’t make me think of something unpleasantly pornographic.
Watch out! The Passion Patrol is gonna come gunning for you, you traitor, you. Treasonous talking shrimps get turned into shrimps cocktail, ricky tic. Blogging is Passion! !!!
Personally, I have a *real* passion for deep caves, huge waves, and hot ch^H^H never mind. 3 infinitely deep sinkholes for disposable income. And at my level of passion, ALL income is disposable! And the markets, they are small, very small. Infinitely small.
Ok, break time is over. Gotta write some code here ’cause my landlord has a passion for getting his rent on time.
Yes! Blogging IS passion! I love doing it. Wanna pay me to do that after you watch me watch TV? It’ll be like a double feature.
How great, to have a passion for sinkholes. At least someone’s making money off of you!
Don’t tell the Gusto Gestapo on me.
Hey Laura, I’ve been a sporadic lurker on your blog for a while and felt compelled to finally leave a comment! You had my in stitches – my fav part – “I just sort of half-squat in solidarity.”
I agree – the woo woo call-to-passion has gotten out of hand. We all have different personalities, different propensities and different growing-up experiences. Some of us have Asian mothers who drill us to practice the violin, and if we’re lucky it REALLY becomes a passion – something we feel compelled to do that we can’t really explain. Some of us find our muse without any help from others and ride it all the way to the bank, or food stamps, depending on our beliefs about money etc. Then, there are those of us who grew up being described as “well-rounded” – yep that’s me!
It was always presented as a positive thing – wow, you have so many interests and no a little about everything! It was only when I got older that I began seeing it as a problem. Must pick passion, must master, must make mark in world!!! This was a problem for me – It felt like if I picked one thing to focus on with intensity, I would be killing off all my other loves. Ouch.
Bottom line – the point of a business, or a job, is to provide value for others and to be paid back in value with money. No one will pay you to watch TV (except for those survey people who give out $25 Visa gift cards, but then you have to watch what they want you to watch).
I have something I’m passionate about that could potentially be a business, but it doesn’t feel like it’s ready to be birthed yet. However, I’m continuing to develop my skills and enjoy it because it’s a passion. It’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes focusing on getting paid for something you love takes you further away from it. My first goal right now is to be 100 percent self-employed. It’s best to focus on the route that is most likely to get me there the fastest and that is also somewhat enjoyable/uses the skills I already have – Don’t you think?
Hi Ashley!
Wouldn’t it be great to have a tiger mom who shoehorned you from age 2 into a passion you could take to the stage (and bank)? My mom, curse her, let me develop my own interests. She also let me go to the bathroom, even when I didn’t get the sonata right.
Very intrigued to hear what this mystery passion-in-development is.
Thanks for commenting! I hope you go from sporadic lurker to regular commenter.
LOL A tiger mom would rock! Until she slammed me for quitting gymnastics because I wasn’t really flexible, and I was tired of missing Dark-Wing Duck! I just had a funny thought – what if I had a self-indulgent Website – Ashley’s Countdown to Passion. I would write a ton of content with clues, put out a bunch of Google ads, have a countdown clock and then I would finally reveal to the world my passion for collecting sticky mustaches – meh.
Great to connect – Thanks =)