Why you should ignore ‘finding your passion’
Let me ask you a question. Have you found your passion?
For most people, the answer is no. It is not surprising because it is hard. The reason it is hard is probably not what you think. Here’s why it is hard.
Passion is not what you find, it is what you bring.
Ibukun onitiju
I have created a new theory and framework that you should try. I’ve called it the Passion Allocation Theory (PAT).
Passion Allocation Theory (PAT)
It simply states that:
‘You are in charge of allocating the 4Es (energy, excitement, enthusiasm and emotion) to the things you do’
Passion is not a key consideration when you are trying to find a path for career growth or success. It could potentially help, but there are other important factors to consider.
This is because money follows value, not passion.
For example, if you are passionate about sitting on the couch and watching football, you still need to find someone willing to pay for that passion for you to turn it into a job or career. If no one is willing to pay you for it, then it won’t be a successful career, even if you enjoy it.
What skills do you have (or need) that the market is willing, able and eager to pay for? Then, which path do you need to follow to lead you there?
After you have chosen the path to follow, then you allocate a generous amount of the 4Es (Energy, Excitement, Enthusiasm and Emotion).
So the real challenge is not ‘find your passion’. It is ‘are you a passionate person and do you truly bring it to the things you do?
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says ‘whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might.
Did you notice it starts with ‘Whatever your hands find to do’? Then after that, do it with all your might i.e. bring your passion to it.
How to allocate your passion
- Become a passionate person irrespective of what you do. Bring the 4Es.
- Find areas of opportunity where you can add value. Remember money follows value.
- Allocate a generous amount of your passion to those areas where you can add value
- If you run out of steam, or it doesn’t work out, or you don’t get paid enough, or [fill in the blank with any other reason], pause and evaluate it.
- You have the freedom to withdraw your passion and allocate it to something else.
But whatever your hands find to do, do it well.
I passionately flipped burgers, taught Maths, worked in Engineering, and B2B Sales. Now I’m passionately working in digital, learning about and exploring blockchain and NFTs.
3 years ago, I didn’t know much about blockchain and I’d not heard about NFTs, so there’s no way I would have ‘found my passion’ in them. But once I discovered them, I allocated a lot of energy, excitement, enthusiasm and emotion to them.
What do you like about Passion Allocation Theory?
My book, PASSIONLESS: How to succeed at work even if you have not found your passion has tips on how to thrive at work and other life lessons.
