TLDR; Over the course of thousands of career conversations this is my advice: trade passion for curiosity and trade shortcuts for identity.
Having held thousands of 1:1’s in my career, it seems most everyone wants to ‘find their passion,’ and almost as many want a shortcut to be the best at whatever that is.
There are two problems with this. First, both are about happiness which itself is an input not an outcome. Second, these are the wrong questions to ask.
Here are two reframes to try:
1. “What am I passionate about?” vs. “What am I curious about?”
The notion of finding your professional passion can be daunting.
Instead, try reframing the question and pulling as many threads of your curiosity as you can. The ones you can’t stop pulling become your passions.
2. “What’s the best way to succeed?” vs. “I’m the kind of person who…”
When faced with a decision to act, don’t seek a silver bullet, ask yourself what kind of person you are.
When you align identity to decision making you change the context of the advice you give yourself, and in turn, the decisions you make. Decisions change outcomes. Outcomes compound into results.
What’s the best way to accomplish [this thing]?
“I’m the kind of person who follows through”
“I’m the kind of person who helps others”
“I’m the kind of person who goes the extra mile to win”
“I’m the kind of person who eats healthy”
“I’m the kind of person who…”
Make sure the things you choose to solve in life are big enough to matter and small enough to solve. Not one at the exclusion of the other.
See you Monday.