Finding Passion - a multi-disciplinary approach to learning and self-discovery

I am passionate about aviation. It is hard to believe my journey in aviation, from learning to fly as a casual hobby to becoming a flight instructor - to teach others how to fly. Teaching my daughter how to fly an airplane has been awe-inspiring.??

Manifesting passion is hard work. Finding your passion mainly implies doing what you like. The idea appears simple and logical, but the essence is deeper and more complicated. No tools, surveys, or quizzes exist to determine one's passion. Hearing career advice about finding professional fulfillment by finding your passion is not uncommon. The suggestion to find one's passion is abstract and unactionable. How do you discover an interest that manifests as passion? At what point does a hobby or an interest in a topic transcend as a passion for a career?

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Cal Newport, a computer science professor, and the author argues that "following your passion" is overrated and can lead to career dissatisfaction. He believes that passion for work typically emerges from mastery and purpose rather than simply finding a job that aligns with your interests. He suggests focusing on acquiring valuable skills, building a solid reputation, and seeking opportunities to serve others through your work to create a fulfilling career.

Knowledge, insights, and views can make one more interested in computer programming, global warming, quantum entanglement, or sports. The more skilled and informed one is, the more likely the person will develop a passion for the subject. The chicken and egg dilemma is that - one should be motivated to gain knowledge and develop skills only if one finds the area appealing. Learning to develop mastery by skill acquisition in any field is a challenging and complex process. The environment can play a big part in encouraging the process of learning.?

There is evidence to suggest a win in one area can have an impact in other areas—the multi-disciplinary influence on learning. A good chess game opens up neural circuitry to assist with solving a complex programming logic problem. It also helps to be exposed to people with a deep interest in different fields and allow oneself to learn from their insights, energy, and enthusiasm. One can gain insights from interacting with people who have developed deep interests in areas other than their own - such as an Astro-photographer, a chef, a brewer, or an artist.?

Elon Musk believes in the power of learning from multiple fields and has applied this philosophy in his life and the companies he co-founded, such as Tesla and SpaceX. He said, "If you want to learn something well, read about it in three different sources," and believes that drawing from a wide range of disciplines can lead to a deeper understanding and more creative problem-solving. He has also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-education, suggesting that people should strive to learn a new skill or subject daily.

As one becomes more experienced, their engagement on the topic manifests as their passion. So to develop one's "passion," one must first invest to gain a deep understanding of the topic and acquire the necessary skills to become proficient. Practice hard and diligently to gain mastery over the skills. Train like an athlete.

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In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell emphasizes the importance of investing time and effort to become an expert in a field. He also recognizes boredom as a milestone in developing mastery. He asserts that boredom when researching a topic indicates a temporary natural plateau that most people experience. Recognizing that phenomenon is a natural part of becoming an expert. Finding ways to stay motivated and engaged is essential.

So, in essence - one cannot find their passion - instead, manifest passion through deep learning and continuous practice while sometimes overcoming boredom to master skills. Being exposed to others who share similar interests and excel in mastering their craft will assist in inspiring and shaping one's passion. The environment can be supportive of developing communities of people with shared interests.

My passion for aviation has positively influenced my professional life in many ways. In addition to providing me access to some amazing people, aviation has helped me develop attention to detail, problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and leadership skills. I belong to a flying club with 125 members that share my interest in aviation. I have had the opportunity to serve in various leadership capacities at the club, including being the organization's president. This interest has helped fuel my passion for building great teams that do fantastic work.?

What are you passionate about, and how did you manifest your passion? Please share your journey.