Follow Your Passion is the Worst Advice I Ever Got
Ernesto Flores
Bilingual Sr. Manufacturing Operations Manager | Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager| HSEQ Manager | Open to Relocation | 2 Plants startups and Several Line Installations in Automotive, Oil & Gas, FMCG and Retail.
“Follow your passion!” they said. And what happened? I ended up in a job that paid me with “personal satisfaction” while my bank account hit zero. The problem with this popular advice is that it makes us believe passion is enough. Reality tells a different story: passion doesn’t pay the bills or guarantee a solid professional future.
The Trap of “Doing What You Love”
In my twenties, I decided to follow my passion for wellness. I started teaching yoga classes and selling healthy food, convinced that helping people feel better would be enough to build a sustainable future. The result? Months of long hours, inconsistent income, and constant stress about whether I’d make it to the end of the month.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t enjoy what you do, but turning passion into your only professional compass can be dangerous. Passion is an excellent starting point, but it’s not a plan.
What Really Matters
After a few years on this emotional rollercoaster, I learned something crucial: to grow professionally, you need more than just passion. It’s a combination of in-demand skills, strategic vision, and yes, a little bit of focused passion.
Take a friend of mine as an example. He loved video games and wanted to work as a game developer. Instead of blindly chasing that passion, he learned programming, design, and marketing. His passion wasn’t his destination but his fuel to acquire valuable skills that made him stand out in a competitive market.
Why Skills Matter More Than Passion
Because skills make you relevant. Employers aren’t looking for passionate people; they’re looking for problem-solvers. If you can combine what you love with what the market needs, that’s where the magic happens.
For example:
In-demand skills not only open doors but also give you the power to negotiate better conditions.
But… What If I Lose My Passion?
Many fear that focusing on in-demand skills will kill their love for what they do. That’s a myth. What truly kills passion is the frustration of feeling stuck, not finding opportunities, or realizing that all your effort isn’t enough.
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The key is balance. It’s not about abandoning what you love but using it as a guide while equipping yourself with tools that let you compete and grow.
How to Combine Passion and Strategic Skills
For example, I combined my love for wellness with strategic skills like digital marketing and content planning. Today, I can connect with audiences and generate real impact, something I couldn’t achieve before. Passion alone doesn’t get you there.
My Conclusion
Blindly following your passion can lead to a dead end. But combining your interests with relevant skills can open up a world of possibilities. Want to stand out? Stop waiting for passion to be enough. Instead, ask yourself: What can I learn today to get closer to the future I want?
Let’s make a difference together!
Ernesto Flores García
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Chief Executive Officer @ LAING International Machine Tools and Digital Technology | Industrial Automation, Information Technology
1 个月Ernesto Flores, great article and yes there has to multiple factors combined for success, passion being driving force. I have seen many people succeed once they had found their passion