Does following our passions always lead to success? That’s what self-help authors would want us to believe. But I’ve met people who are very successful and satisfied with their lives, even though they didn’t BEGIN with the “I need to follow my passion in order to be successful” mindset. They didn’t consciously decide to follow only what they were good at. Rather they embraced the pathways life showed them.

So, my question, and one which I think you’d be able to answer, is this:

“Does success really depend on our choice to follow our passions and/or embracing the options life gives us? Or does success depend on our ability to overcome challenges irrespective of whether we follow our passions or not? ”

Regards,
Osman Safdar

It is true that your ability to make money from your passions is related to the nature of what you love doing – some passions typically present easier opportunities to make a profit than others.

However, while it may not be easy to make money in the exact form of doing what you love, there are usually plenty of opportunities to make money in some related way, especially thanks now to the accessibility of the internet. If your an artist or a creative type, sometimes the money-making opportunities surrounding your passion may not be immediately inherent so it can work well to team up with someone who works in marketing or sales to have a brainstorming session about how you can monetize your passion. (doing this is their passion – and they’ll be better at it than you). The reality is that making $$$ from your art can require an investment of your time + money into sales + marketing activities plus some business savvy. (if that sounds like your idea of hell, why not partner up with someone who IS passionate about sales + marketing and share in the profits – that way you can devote your time soley to doing what you love)

Just like everything else, I believe that the decision and commitment to follow your passion takes persistence, dedication and hardwork… but the rewards are definitely worth it.

Don’t give up the dream and follow the path that you think you should – the path of least resistance, 9-5 desk jobs, and 30-year mortgages… chasing money isn’t likely to lead to fulfillment and happiness but the reverse can often be true.

So I am now here reading your words (which I found from someone following on Twitter). I’d like to think of it as a sign; reassurance that I MUST follow my passions. Who would want to go through life sitting inside an office while the world goes by?

Thanks for your encouragement.

When I read Friedman’s The World is Flat, I liked his premise and the facts he backed it up with. At the same time I hoped he did not mean that the world would also be homogenized. Having also lived out of this country, there is a dual respect in my heart. I adore exploring diverse cultures, and I adore being an American. If we can think a bit more spherically, a bit more creatively, perhaps there is an incredible richness and texture available to us all.

Two of my favorite bloggers mentioned you (Zenhabits and Scott H Young), will have to thank them. While I’m a bit skeptical about some of your ideas (would be boring otherwise anyway) I liked your entry about Ohrid. Well, you want non-conformity: Last year I tried to drive by car (from Vienna) there for a few days, but the car broke down half way in Belgrad. So I stayed there for some days and on my way back stayed another night in Budapest right during the Red Bull Flight Show on the Danube. (I will try again Ohrid again, but by another route)
And monetizing your passions? Like above, I have many things I would like doing. Good things is, they can be combined (including living in some other countries, eg Kazakhstan or Madagaskar).

To give you an idea, I am part of an Improv Troupe, am involved occasionally in theatre productions sometimes as actress, sometimes as director, I work on freelance photography projects and graphic design, am very interested in cinematography, and am currently learning Korean. And those are just at the moment. There are many more interests and hobbies added to that list.

Chris, I’m not sure if you have one already, but I believe us three, and many others, would greatly appreciate an entry related to having many passions!