The case against passion
In this month’s Sunday Telegraph column, I discuss my least favorite question in the world:
“What’s your passion?”
Seriously, I hate that question. It makes me flinch and tighten and stammer. What’s more, I think it’s not an especially useful question for finding one’s path.
Maybe you’ll agree. Maybe you won’t. Just don’t get all passionate on me.
You can read the entire column here.
The last 5 Sunday Telegraph columns:
January: Can a 5-minute exercise double your productivity?
December: What can this year’s Nobel Prize-winning physicists teach us about good work?
November: What can we do to make the workplace less of a feedback desert?
October: Is giving away your shoes the right business model for you?
September: What can a high school algebra class teach you about innovation?
“What’s your passion” ranks right up there with, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
Seriously?
In the outside chance the Mayans were wrong and we don’t all die in 2012, I’m going to shake that Magic 8 Ball and say I’ll be 5 years older.
Hey, I’m all for passion. But, I’m all for pragmatism as well.
And, right up (or down)there with “What’s your sign?”
I completely understand Dan’s physical reaction to the question, and yet many strive for that feeling of passion related to their work. As a Career Coach, many clients come to me wanting to find ‘it’ – some call it ‘passion’, other ‘engagement’, and others, ‘satisfaction.’ It’s more important to look beyond the word and question and further examine what is missing from one’s experience with their work (and possibly the rest of their life.) Don’t throw the question out with the bath water!
When we are young, we tend to do things innately without thinking about the “Why?”, but as we age our thinking takes us in a variety of directions. If we are lucky and resilient, we regain our connection to those activities that are innately satisfying (both old and new ones) and make them a greater part of our lives.
Daniel – Great article! I’m a big fan of you writing! Thanks for doing what you do!
Mr. Pink, I’m a huge fan of your work but I think you’re dead wrong on this one. Passion, as I understand it, is simply any strong and compelling emotion or feeling one has toward something. “What’s your passion?” could be asked “What excites you?” or “What drives you?” I guess the opposite would be apathy or indifference. I don’t suppose you would want to retitled this post “The case for apathy”. You are such an interesting person and I love your work.. and I’m so glad you’re passionate about what you do.
@dave —
Thanks for the kind words about the writing.
On this issue, you make a good argument. You’re right: I’m not making a case for apathy. But I am (trying) to make a case perhaps for a quieter form of passion, one rooted more in action than in thought.
But, hey, reasonable people can disagree. Thanks again for the smart contribution.
Cheers,
Dan
I think the question “What is your passion?” should be left to people like Julie Cohen, career coach. Most people who ask that question aren’t really serious and don’t have the wherewithal to provide helpful and informed feedback. Besides, launch into a detailed answer and watch peoples’ eyes glaze and then dart about seeking escape.
Mr. Pink, based upon your latest article in The Sunday Telegram, I’ve decided to buy DRIVE. The article also provided a clue about what I could be doing that I hadn’t considered BECAUSE it is something I do naturally and easily. And it has nothing to do with passion.
I agree passion discussions can be a head trip. Don’t talk about… show me your passion. How you embody it speaks louder than your words.
I know my deepest passions and visions are dear to me. I hide them for fear of rejection and failure.
The man or woman who is being or doing their passion, even on the side inspires me. As Seth Godin would say, it needs to be shipped.
I also hate this question! Perhaps because it is so open-ended (and what does it mean, anyway?). Your article was a nice alternate way to look at the question behind those words.
On the other hand, I also hate it when people tell me, “I can tell you’re a really passionate person” — but don’t say anything beyond that. When you’re looking for help with a career direction (like I am), statements like that are kinda cruel!
Given the physical reaction to the question, “what’s your passion?” I would wonder what the consensus is on Ken Robinson’s views on creativity and education. From what I understand, he’s a big advocate of finding one’s “passion.”
I see how this can be slightly different from bluntly asking “what’s your passion,” but ascertaining one’s passion has to be determined somehow, yes?
With Love and Gratitude,
Jeremiah
I love this Daniel! This is exactly what I wrote a recent blog post the other week and thought it was just me – so glad you’re there too.
It seems the age of ‘find your passions’ is winding up, and that can only be a good thing.
I agree the “what’s your passion?” question can do more harm than good at times, depending on where a person is. If they’re sitting in ambiguity and have lost sight of their purpose, this question may push them farther into the murkiness.
Passion is a fascinating topic. Its sources are varied. We have genetic and environmental sources of passion. But the most powerful source is fresh passion – the kind that comes from creating something new.
Putting something out into the world that represents a part of ourselves. This is an act of vulnerability that requires great courage. As you do this more and more…you create more passion.
Call it what you like… the reality is that many people would be best served by not trying to answer these types of big questions and simply step into the doing. You grow passion through action, becoming more of the person you want to be, and being rewarded along the way.
I like this. Often “what is your passion?” is associated with “what your story?”
I have just written a blog titled : what the f**k is storytelling? Would like to hear your thoughts on this:
http://rafstevens.net/what-the-fk-is-storytelling
thanks
I agree that “What’s your passion?” is not the right place to start. It’s too dramatic, too all-or-nothing. As if, once you find your passion, you’ll transcend the routine and wake up everyday in a state of blissful passion. That’s just setting yourself up for failure because what will you do on that inevitable day when you don’t feel like doing what you decided was your passion?
Watching what you do of your own free will – less dramatic, more reliable.
Thank you so much for this piece! I have been out of work for about eight months and am so stressed out about finding my “passion” so I take the correct next step. This article was such a relief to me.
I know what I like to do in my free time and I know the tasks I do at work that I enjoy (and those I don’t) but I wouldn’t say any of these are my passion. To me, that word conjures a monumental all-encompassing force to which you point your existence. I have lots of interests, so to follow one passion makes me feel like I have to discount all of those other interests and I don’t want to. Now I see I don’t have to.
I like this article……
“what is your passion?” is associated with “what your story?”
While I hate the question: “What’s your passion?” for the same reasons as already listed, I do believe there’s great value in knowing what motivates you and drives you. I love the idea of simply paying attention to what you love doing.
I have noticed something interesting, however. I typically work with managers, but recently I’ve started doing leadership programs for high school and college students (which I’m finding is my passion!). If you ask the students what they are passionate about, they have ready answers. Actually, you don’t even have to ask! You can feel the energy and the enthusiasm pour out of them. With many managers, however, this enthusiasm is missing (or it takes a lot of work to help them discover it). I understand about the pressures of their jobs! I just wonder if it has to be this way? I wonder if it is best for our society as a whole? How much more productive would our workplaces be if most of the people were energized by what they did?
This may be another example of the right brain knowing what the left brain can’t find the words for. By being attuned to what we do, we’re essentially listening to ourselves in the most credible way we can. Trying to interpret gut feelings with words is often futile. Looking back at how your actions do so provides enlightenment.
Thanks.