The Truth About “Follow Your Passion” Advice (It’s Overrated)

Hey there, wonderful people! So here I am, diving into the tired ‘Follow Your Passion’ advice that feels stuck in 2005.

Look, I get it. Passion has become this elusive holy grail everyone’s chasing like the lost treasure of Atlantis. We’ve been bombarded by well-meaning bloggers and life coaches telling us that passion is the secret sauce to living our best lives. But let’s be honest for a second – is it really?

I recently explored Medium and found a refreshing perspective—more people are debunking the myth that passion alone leads to success. THANK GOODNESS.

Passion isn’t the magical ticket to your dream life or a cure-all for your problems. Let’s shift the narrative, shall we?

Here’s a thought: Instead of paying hefty fees to “find your passion” (unless you’ve been on a dopamine rollercoaster since your early 20s), why not just… live? Engage in activities that naturally make you feel alive. It could be as simple as enjoying a joyful moment with loved ones or discovering a new hobby that brings genuine happiness.

Passion, in its raw essence, is merely a powerful emotion—whether joy, anger, or love. It connects us to our ‘why’ and fuels our journey through life’s challenges. But it’s not enough to talk about passion; it must be felt deeply.

How to Feel Alive: Focus on Positive Emotions Instead of Passion

Focus on these positive sensations: Awe, Confidence, Contentment, Courage, Curiosity, Ecstasy, Euphoria, Excitement, Gratitude, Happiness, Hope, Interest, Joy, Love, Pleasure, Pride, Relief, Satisfaction, Self-confidence, Surprise, Trust, Wonder, Zeal, Zest. Find three that resonate with your recent experiences.

Remember, success isn’t just about passion. It’s about understanding your motivations, embracing positive emotions, and living life on YOUR terms. –Daniel~Ibrahim

So what does genuine joy feel like to you? Let’s hear it (keep it PG, please). And hey, if you think I’m off my rocker or hitting the mark, let me know. I’m all about that direct, witty banter without the sprinkle of ‘Social Work-y’ formalities.

In love and joy (or a bit of both),

Daniel & Ibrahim

P.S. Live, love, and learn a life that’s unapologetically YOURS.

Sadly, there’s a mountain of well-intended passion content across the blogosphere. Why is that? So little on the subject offers earth-shattering insights unless you’re from the village of Pollyanna or new to personal development.

Could it just be me? Have I evolved so much over the years that I’m utterly bored with the subject? (As I am with many over-published topics these days.)

Why Positive Emotions Matter More Than Passion

We often use the word passion in a positive context for personal development, goal setting, and finding one’s real purpose. But in reality, you can select any intense emotion and talk about passion.

Positive sensations are a critical element of any successful journey. To succeed, you must understand the dynamics of your cravings and aversions. What makes you tick?

Too much of one sensation is a deep, sometimes overwhelming emotion that can make you lack reasoning and get you in trouble.

Positive sensations will help you go above and beyond the call of duty in any challenge. Experiencing positive emotions is more important than pursuing money because these emotions bring genuine joy into your life.

Positive sensations are why you do what you do, not what you own or control.

Embrace a warm, joyful sensation, and you’ll be motivated toward something positive instead of running away from something negative.

The Dark Side: When Passion Becomes Obsession

Misguided passion, such as crimes of passion, irrationality, short-sightedness, blind outbursts, fanaticism, compulsive thinking, rage, and overreaction, is unhealthy—but I’m sure you knew that.

When any emotion becomes an obsession, you are OUT of balance. This imbalance can lead to burnout at work, not to mention alienating your friends and family.

In addition, obsessing over everything you do will trap you in blinders, causing you to focus only on the result at all costs—not cool.

‘Without my work, I am nothing’—Oh really? How’s that working for you? Be mindful that you don’t end up so wrapped up in an outcome that you lose sight of the bigger picture. Do you live to work or work to live?

Ask yourself why you love something (or someone) so much. It’s okay to find this thing you love rewarding and joyful. However, if you’re chasing an ego boost or social status, that’s not healthy.

Getting lost in something (I lost all track of time) is fine, but ask yourself, ‘What else am I besides ‘this,’ and what other parts of my life do I care about?’

We aim to push a few emotional buttons now and again and get you thinking beyond convention or tradition about living, loving, and learning to live proudly on your terms.

By the Way, How Did I Do?

Let me know if this piece was another lame article about passion or if I presented a twist that was more inspiring and pleasant to read.

I’m trying to sound less Social Work or Life coach-y these days, but it can be challenging given the clients I’ve had to appease in the past.

I love (passionately) a more direct, witty sense of openness in my voice. People appreciate less formality and a more conversational blogging style here.