Top 5 Myths About Passion

In researching, reporting, and writing The Passion Paradox I learned that nearly everything people think about passion is wrong. This has serious repercussions, since passion is one of the most thrown around words there is. So, let's bust some myths... 

"Find your passion."

Nope. You cultivate it. Expecting to find something that feels perfect right away sets you up for frustration, constant seeking. Lower the bar from "perfect" to "this is interesting" and choose activities that offer the big 3:

-Autonomy -Mastery -Belonging 

"Quit your day job."

Bad idea. The research shows that individuals who pursue their passions as side-gigs and gradually ramp up are much more successful over the long-haul. This is because there's less pressure, so you can take more risks. Don't quit your job too fast. 

"Go big or go home." 

Dumb! People with that attitude tend to end up home. That's because they get injured or burnout from doing too much too fast too soon. Much better to take small and consistent steps. Small and consistent steps lead to big gains.

"Follow your passion." 

Definitely wrong. You want your passion to follow you! If you follow your passion you set yourself up to go down a slippery slope of craving, chasing external validation. That's why obsessive passion is associated w/anxiety, depression, cheating, burnout. 

"Be balanced."

Impossible if you're passionate. Passion and balance are antithetical. Aiming to be balanced as a driven pusher is just fighting against yourself. That's no fun. Better than balance = developing astute self-awareness so you can PRIORITIZE and make WISE TRADEOFFS. 

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My hope is that this book fills these gaps and—more importantly—gives you PRACTICES to implement in day-to-day life to develop passion and then channel it in a productive manner.

Passion can be a gift or a curse. What direction it takes depends on you!