Comments on: The Problem with Passion http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/ Demystifying Sustainable Success Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:03:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Should Your Major Be Your Passion? http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-9233 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Should Your Major Be Your Passion? Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:19:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-9233 [...] In an earlier post, I tackled passion in the context of job hunting, noting: Passion is generated by extended exposure to something that [eventually] becomes an important part of your life. It’s not some magic score assigned to each job that describes, with great accuracy, how happy you’ll immediately become if you follow that path [...] […] In an earlier post, I tackled passion in the context of job hunting, noting: Passion is generated by extended exposure to something that [eventually] becomes an important part of your life. It’s not some magic score assigned to each job that describes, with great accuracy, how happy you’ll immediately become if you follow that path […]

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Should Your Major Be Your Passion? http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-9234 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Should Your Major Be Your Passion? Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:19:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-9234 [...] In an earlier post, I tackled passion in the context of job hunting, noting: Passion is generated by extended exposure to something that [eventually] becomes an important part of your life. It’s not some magic score assigned to each job that describes, with great accuracy, how happy you’ll immediately become if you follow that path [...] […] In an earlier post, I tackled passion in the context of job hunting, noting: Passion is generated by extended exposure to something that [eventually] becomes an important part of your life. It’s not some magic score assigned to each job that describes, with great accuracy, how happy you’ll immediately become if you follow that path […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5870 Study Hacks Mon, 26 May 2008 17:25:54 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5870 @Farfield: True enough. The word "passion" is relatively generic and can capture a lot of things. I think, for example, that the pursuit of an ideal lifestyle might invoke a feeling of passion. Where it's dangerous, however, is when it's interpreted as a specific job or line or work that will maximize your self-fulfillment. Demanding that you identify this type of passion right out of college is the fools errand called out by this post. @Farfield:

True enough. The word “passion” is relatively generic and can capture a lot of things. I think, for example, that the pursuit of an ideal lifestyle might invoke a feeling of passion. Where it’s dangerous, however, is when it’s interpreted as a specific job or line or work that will maximize your self-fulfillment. Demanding that you identify this type of passion right out of college is the fools errand called out by this post.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5869 Study Hacks Mon, 26 May 2008 17:23:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5869 @n311: I think the problem is that you're interpreting "ideal lifestyle" as "swank lifestyle." Indeed, your ideal lifestyle might be one that includes, for example, the feeling that you are making individual people's lives better. The key is to capture what this lifestyle is like without having to capture a specific job. @n311:

I think the problem is that you’re interpreting “ideal lifestyle” as “swank lifestyle.” Indeed, your ideal lifestyle might be one that includes, for example, the feeling that you are making individual people’s lives better. The key is to capture what this lifestyle is like without having to capture a specific job.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5868 Study Hacks Mon, 26 May 2008 17:21:27 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5868 @Chris & Daisy: I certainly agree. For most, "premature passionation" is dangerous. Lifestyle-centric planning during these early exploration stages can help you move in the right direction even when you don't know what direction that is. @Chris & Daisy:

I certainly agree. For most, “premature passionation” is dangerous. Lifestyle-centric planning during these early exploration stages can help you move in the right direction even when you don’t know what direction that is.

]]> By: Daisy http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5863 Daisy Mon, 26 May 2008 06:31:53 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5863 I agree with Chris about trying lots of things as an important part of identifying what fulfills you. I've been reading a book on chasing your passions. This post definitely made me think about the pros and cons of the idea. I agree with Chris about trying lots of things as an important part of identifying what fulfills you.

I’ve been reading a book on chasing your passions. This post definitely made me think about the pros and cons of the idea.

]]> By: 7 things I’ve learned now I’m a Dad « TheUniversityBlog http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5862 7 things I’ve learned now I’m a Dad « TheUniversityBlog Mon, 26 May 2008 00:21:56 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5862 [...] elaborate on this final point, I notice that Cal at Study Hacks has just given some wise words regarding life and career passions. While you might not have realised those passions yet, it shouldn’t stop you from being [...] […] elaborate on this final point, I notice that Cal at Study Hacks has just given some wise words regarding life and career passions. While you might not have realised those passions yet, it shouldn’t stop you from being […]

]]> By: Chris Yeh http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5861 Chris Yeh Sun, 25 May 2008 06:14:37 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5861 Totally agree. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life for a long time. I just kept doing things that seemed interesting until I could clearly identify my passions. Premature passionation can cause a ton of problems, especially if it causes you to choose a path that cuts off other possibilities. Think of all the doctors and lawyers who realize at 40 that they're in the wrong line of work, but think it's too late to do anything about it. Totally agree. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life for a long time. I just kept doing things that seemed interesting until I could clearly identify my passions.

Premature passionation can cause a ton of problems, especially if it causes you to choose a path that cuts off other possibilities.

Think of all the doctors and lawyers who realize at 40 that they’re in the wrong line of work, but think it’s too late to do anything about it.

]]> By: Farfield http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5858 Farfield Sat, 24 May 2008 20:43:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5858 I don't know if it's always neccessary to spend some time on a job to identify your passion for it. Of course you might need time to get to know new things and those things might be very inspiring. But passion can also be about big dreams you have, great goals you want to achieve, and if you follow your dreams you don't need to worry about the small steps in the process, do you? I don’t know if it’s always neccessary to spend some time on a job to identify your passion for it. Of course you might need time to get to know new things and those things might be very inspiring. But passion can also be about big dreams you have, great goals you want to achieve, and if you follow your dreams you don’t need to worry about the small steps in the process, do you?

]]> By: n311 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5857 n311 Sat, 24 May 2008 17:52:41 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/24/the-problem-with-passion/#comment-5857 If you are not seeking a job that will make you passionate, but you want a swank lifestyle, doesn't this just deconstruct into finding a job with a nice bankroll or other perks? If you are not seeking a job that will make you passionate, but you want a swank lifestyle, doesn’t this just deconstruct into finding a job with a nice bankroll or other perks?

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