#93. Why Passion Alone May Not Be Enough
Passion Matters, But What Comes Next?
Welcome to the blog post #93! Click here to read more from previous posts.
I started to write on this topic a week ago but struggled to focus and finish it. Today, on a cool Sunday morning with Christmas in the air, I finally found a quiet time to reflect on an important question—how do we find the right career direction? I hope these reflections offer you fresh perspectives for your own journey toward a fulfilling life.
When someone says, “Follow your passion,” I immediately think of Steve Jobs’ famous Stanford commencement speech in 2005. At the end of his speech, he advised:
“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
It’s inspiring—and undoubtedly true. But my second thought is—Is it enough?
This question led me to revisit the Japanese Ikigai philosophy. It focuses on finding purpose by balancing what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Through this lens, passion is just one piece of the puzzle.
Passion matters because its absence can leave us unfulfilled. However, pursuing passion alone may lead to similar dissatisfaction.
Grant Sanderson, a popular math educator, in his recent commencement speech at Harvey Mudd College, reflected on turning his passion for mathematics into a successful career of creating visual math tutorials on YouTube. His reflections deeply resonated with me.
For those navigating their early careers—or even seasoned professionals—here are my key takeaways inspired by Grant Sanderson’s speech.
1. Balance Passion with Value Creation
Steve Jobs’ story about calligraphy illustrates this balance. As a young man, Jobs was fascinated by the beauty of hand-drawn letters, which led him to take a calligraphy class. While it seemed unrelated to his technological ambitions at Apple, this passion later shaped the Macintosh computer’s innovative font design. Jobs combined his interest in calligraphy with technology to create value for others—offering elegant typography that set Macintosh apart from its competitors at that time.
If Jobs had only pursued calligraphy without integrating it into technology, he might have been happy but unlikely to achieve his global impact.
Grant Sanderson’s success also reflects this principle. He blended his love for math with a mission to educate others through visualization, creating educational content on YouTube that brings value to millions.
Takeaway:
Passion puts you at the center, while value creation prioritizes others. When you combine the two, your work transforms into a mission—something bigger than personal growth.
If you haven’t defined your passion yet, focus on building skills that help others. Over time, passion will follow.
2. Action Precedes Motivation
A common myth is that motivation must come first. This belief often fuels procrastination.
Ernest Hemingway, one of the 20th century’s most influential novelists, believed inspiration was unreliable. Instead, he followed a strict daily writing routine, often starting with just one sentence to build momentum.
Similarly, David Goggins, a Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner and the author of Can’t Hurt Me, emphasizes that motivation rarely precedes action. He forces himself to start tasks—running even when unmotivated—knowing that momentum fuels motivation.
Takeaway:
Motivation builds through consistent small actions, especially when we act despite resistance and discomfort.
Start first; inspiration and momentum will follow.
3. Acknowledging the Importance of Timing
Grant Sanderson highlights how timing played a pivotal role in his success as a math educator on YouTube. He launched his channel when technology had matured enough to support high-quality content and before the platform became oversaturated.
While effort is essential, success often hinges on factors beyond our control—luck being one of them. Timing, in particular, can magnify impact when external conditions align, whether through technological advancements, economic shifts, or changing consumer preferences.
Jeff Bezos exemplifies this with Amazon. Founded in 1994, during the internet’s early growth phase, Amazon capitalized on emerging e-commerce potential when competition was sparse. Had Bezos started earlier, the infrastructure might have been insufficient. Starting later could have meant battling entrenched competitors, making Amazon's rise far more challenging.
Takeaway:
Recognizing the value of timing doesn’t mean waiting idly for luck to strike. Instead, success favors those who prepare in advance, positioning themselves to act decisively when the right moment arrives.
4. Beware of Survivorship Bias
When seeking advice, we naturally turn to successful individuals in our field of interest. Self-help books and success stories, from Steve Jobs to Mark Zuckerberg, inspire us with blueprints for achievement. Yet, they often overlook the untold stories of failure. For instance, while stories of college dropouts building tech empires captivate us, about 90% of startups fail, leaving no trace in headlines.
This bias—focusing only on visible successes—can lead to overconfidence. Learning from success stories is valuable, but it’s equally important to account for survivorship bias. Instead of fixating solely on upside potential, adopt rational optimism by planning for downside risks.
Takeaway:
Ask yourself: What’s the worst-case scenario? How can I mitigate it? What steps can I take now to reduce risks later?
By balancing inspiration with foresight, you’ll build resilience and position yourself to handle setbacks effectively.
5. Build Timeless Skills That Outlast Technology
As technology advances, it’s natural to wonder whether it will render human skills obsolete. While AI excels in speed and computation, it cannot replicate qualities rooted in human resilience, emotional depth, and adaptability. Cultivating timeless skills ensures relevance in a world of constant change.
Resilience and Grit
AI can provide solutions, but perseverance through failures requires inner strength. Success often emerges not from avoiding setbacks but from the grit to rise after them. Resilience turns obstacles into growth opportunities—something no machine can emulate.
Emotional Intelligence
Machines lack empathy. Emotional intelligence—the ability to understand, connect with, and inspire others—remains a uniquely human gift. It underpins leadership, collaboration, and personal relationships. Success today isn’t achieved in isolation but through meaningful human connections.
Communication and Storytelling
Clear communication and compelling storytelling can rally people behind a vision. Leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk didn’t succeed alone; they inspired others through narratives that aligned teams with their goals. AI may generate content, but it can’t move hearts or spark collective action.
Adaptability and Learning Agility
Technologies evolve, and industries transform. From Kodak’s decline to Blockbuster’s collapse, history warns against complacency. Thriving in change requires adaptability and a mindset geared toward continuous learning. What made you successful yesterday won’t guarantee success tomorrow.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
While AI can process data, humans provide context, judgment, and creativity. Breakthroughs often arise from challenging norms, as seen in Elon Musk’s first principles thinking—reducing problems to fundamentals rather than relying on past patterns. Cultivating critical thinking ensures you remain indispensable in navigating complexity.
Takeaway: Invest in skills that won’t be outdated by technology. Emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, and critical thinking ensure long-term resilience.
In final thoughts, “Follow your passion” is right but incomplete advice. Passion matters, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Balance passion with creating value for others. Take action before waiting for motivation. Recognize the importance of timing and luck. Be mindful of survivorship bias when learning from others. Finally, focus on timeless human skills to future-proof your career.
Rather than simply following passion, aim to build a fulfilling life where passion intersects with purpose and impact.
That’s all for today. Thanks for sticking with me to the end.
Till next week!
Cheers,
Do Thi Dieu Thuong