Is “Follow Your Passion” Good Career Advice

If you are a part of Gen Z, chances are you are using your passion for fueling your work. Gen Zers, leading the post-COVID phenomenon "The Great Resignation," are looking for better and, in fact, demand it from their workplace. Unlike Gen X and Millennials, who first look for stability in their careers, the younger generation seeks work that fits their purpose and values. But is this shift career-making, or is it a career killer? After years of being told that pursuing a fulfilling career is achievable by following your passion, it is time to examine whether it is essential to follow your passion for succeeding at work. 

The dangers of following your passion

Competency in what you do is integral to making a success out of following your passion. It is simply not enough to love what you do; you need to be good at it too. In most cases, it is better to let your abilities lead you, not your passions. This is especially true for people who have multiple passions or have not yet figured out what they really want to do. In fact, for Gen Z, following your passion can lead to chronic job-hopping, angst, and feeling incapable of reaching for their dreams.

Gen Zers have a tendency to overvalue passion and underestimate the importance of skill. To become a person who can successfully turn your passion into a career, you need both passion and skill. But skills take time to develop, especially if you want to be paid for your skillset. When using your passion for directing your career path, make sure you look at the long view — about 10 years into the future. Only a select few can successfully live off their passions in less than 10 years. Even then, the amount of work and hustle they must accomplish can be perceived as a daunting task.

Passion in work does not equal success

Generation Z in Malaysia represents 29% of the overall population and is currently the largest age group in the country. According to a 2021 Employee Movement and Retention report, 61% of Malaysians plan to find a job in 2022, with the Gen Z population leading the charge: 72% of Gen Z workers plan to leave their current job. 

The survey also found that the majority of those planning to quit actually like (45%) or even love (24%) their job. The top three reasons for leaving their current employment were: lack of career development, lack of appreciation, and lack of training opportunities. It seems like the work is not really the issue, but a lack of passion or purpose is.

When you are passionate about something, motivation kicks in. There is even a rush of excitement that runs through you. But passion by itself does not mean success. It is wonderful to find something that you are genuinely passionate about. But learning a craft to a point where you can monetise your skills needs time, dedication, and a strong work ethic.

There are dozens of books and online courses that claim to help you realise your passion and how to monetise it. But before you buy into the entire philosophy of following your passion, consider the following thoughts. 

1. Not everyone has a passion.

Sometimes you do not know what your passion is or which interest to follow. But that does not mean you won't have a fulfilling career. In the same vein, doing what you love could be as simple as travelling or home cooking, but this does not mean it should be your career. It is okay if you consider your passion as your work-free activity. It is also great to have multiple passions. Not everyone has that one clear, driving passion, and that is fine. 

This is especially important to Gen Zers, who have yet to figure out what they want to do at this point in their young lives. Figuring out what you want to do in life is not easy regardless of age, but especially when you simply don't have enough life experience under your belt.

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2. Passions must not be absolute life directions.

To follow your passion means you should constantly be learning and growing to get better at it. Sharpen those skill sets. Learning is a never ending journey, but it can lead to fulfilment and success if you work on your skillset hard enough. Some passions may sound appealing now, but they may not be your best career option if you can't see them furthering your career or life path. 

Sometimes following your passion can lead you astray. If your lifelong pursuit is to become a concert pianist, for example, what is your strategy for the long haul? Can you become successful enough as a pianist to make enough to support yourself and your family? Recognise your limits and consider your choices carefully. 

3. Passion may not solve your work-life issues.

There are always work worries, whether or not you are following your passion. Stress, boredom, burning out… the list is endless. But even if you quit today, it does not mean your life will be happier and more fulfilling immediately. In fact, making such a big life decision may make you feel lost for a little while. Consider why you are making a choice. Is it realistic?

Many times, passion is a byproduct of purpose. For many, passions are revealed after a journey of working hard. It is better advice to seek your purpose instead of finding your passion. With purpose, your work aligns with your values. When that happens, passion for your work follows. 

4. Passion projects still need a plan.

The phrase "follow your passion" is also quite vague. You may know what you are passionate about but not understand how to build a career around it. How do you plan to turn your passion into your career? To be productive and help steer you towards your goals, you need a plan. Are you going into a new field? Should you get additional education for the work you want to do? To do the work you love well, you need to develop skills that are considered valuable to your target market. 

It simply is not true that work will feel like play if you follow your passion. Often, following your passion makes you work harder. This is where having a good, sustainable work ethic will come in handy. You may be passionate about a particular new field, but starting over can still be challenging. 

Making a personal passion into a career sounds like great advice — and if taken the right way, it can be. Unfortunately, most times, it is just not feasible or sustainable. So before you follow your passion, consider all aspects of your prospective new career path. Be aware of your goals: how realistic is your passion plan? There is no shame in being happy with a job that does not inspire you or ignite your passion. You are entitled to be satisfied with your work, especially if it helps you fulfil your goals.

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