We often need different “lenses” to focus on the same image. One of these cases is, for example, is that of not focusing solely and stubbornly on one’s passions. I want to say that, in my opinion, it is not always appropriate for young people (and even less young people) to stop at the idea rooted in current society (confirmed by many scholars and writers) that the incessant search for the realization of one’s passions is a categorical imperative of the individual and that this alone gives meaning to one’s existence.
The idea that there is an activity in the world ready for each of us that realizes our innate passion and that will guide us to our fulfillment is romantic and fascinating. But it is potentially dangerous because it opens the way to a life of frustration with the impossibility of finding this activity or due to having to note that once found, in concrete reality, it does not correspond to our expectations or, even worse, because we think we have found it but cannot access it due to lack of ability, opportunity, luck.
The true story of Steve Jobs disproves the hypothesis of innate passion: in fact, it is said that he was not struck by the sight of the first printed circuit board which would make him dream of changing the world and becoming an icon of the era of personal computers. If Jobs had really followed what he thought was his innate passion he would have quite become a popular professor of Eastern philosophy.
Passion actually develops slowly with time and experience. Passion is a side effect of doing something well.
When you do something well you have impact, control, and creativity. Impact means being able to change the context around us: control means being able to guide change and not be guided by what happens; Creativity means applying yourself to a complex problem and finding new solutions.
The consequence will be that little by little the activity becomes what we identify with as people: it becomes a vocation. Vocation is a way of doing one’s job that is different from employment, which is an often boring and unsatisfying means of earning a living, and from career, which is a path to a better job in terms of salary and position.
And doing something well depends above all on our values.
The word itself says it: values are what we value, what we consider important for us. They can come from our needs (and then they become the most important needs), from convictions, from ideals, or from beliefs.
Not only. Values are important because they define our actions and behaviors and therefore act as decision-making criteria, guiding us in choices.
Personal values represent the frame around the “canvas” of one’s life: they guide our choices, give structure to our path, and give meaning to what we desire.
Personal reference values serve to define who we are and what we really want. They help to “filter” away all the false beliefs developed over the years about what one’s purpose in life should be.
Passion alone is not enough to achieve professional success. Indeed, in some cases there is a risk of moving towards activities where no excellent professional success can be achieved. Instead, it is important to honestly evaluate your own aptitudes, skills and knowledge. Above all, it is necessary to pay attention to the demands of the job market and look for work where it is being created. You can’t think of finding a job just by holding on to your dreams. Without forgetting that sometimes you can discover new interests and become passionate about sectors of activity that you would never have considered before.
It is necessary to mix interests, aptitudes, knowledge, and job demand. Only in this way will we waste less time building a future. In short: following a dream, but keeping your feet on the ground.
