Dirty Jobs Famed Mike Rowe recently gave a "now famous" TED talk speech in which he said that "following your passion" was the worst advice he ever received. Then in written answer to a questioner who challenged Mike's point of view, Rowe said,
When it comes to earning a living and being a productive member of society – I don’t think people should limit their options to those vocations they feel passionate towards.
Well, since this article has quickly made it's way around the internet, I think this definitely shows that1. There are many who definitely agree that people should NOT limit their options to those vocations they feel passionate about.
3. There are people doing important (but dirty) jobs in society that very few of us would be passionate about!
4. People do feel that this is significant topic and one that should be addressed.
Here's where I agree with Mike Rowe. When it comes to the idea of answering the questions,
"What am I called to do with my life?" or
"What job or career should I apply for?"
Just look at the scads of people who line up at the beginning of the American Idol auditions? Wouldn't all of them say "I'm passionate about singing?" "Should they all quit their jobs and head to Nashville?" God forbid, right!
Finding what you (or your kids, or spouse, or pals) should do with career involves more than "Follow your passion." And truly, in many societies and economies, this isn't an option.
The people who say, "Just follow your passion" as they get accolades and awards typically are not understanding the whole reality.
However,
Just because you can get paid to do something doesn't mean you should do it either. (dirty job or clean job)
Just because you're gifted to do something doesn't mean you should do it either.
It's a question that frightfully few churches, schools or parents taught us to ask. (This can and must change)
Yes, this assumes that there's a caller and this caller has something we should invest our one and only life in. So, yes, work is a spiritual endeavor. How have we come to believe it's not??
So, to honestly answer that question involves looking at four key components THAT ALL MATTER....
1. Prayer
Even if you haven't been given a clear sign or an audible voice (which you may have been given) ask God, "What do you want me to do with my career?"He may be calling you to a "dirty job" or one that others are lining up for in droves. Asking for open doors isn't bad advice either.
2. Proficiency What are you gifted to do? What have you been good at since you were small? What do others see you do and say, "Wow! You're good at that!"
You may or may not know what you're really good at. It may help to ask for honest feedback from those who know you best.
Sometimes passion comes when you're good at things... You find it easy to do and you're better than others... So you're motivated. Not a bad thing when choosing your work!
3. Provision Being able to make a living and support yourself, your family and be generous is a really good thing.
It also means that when people want to pay you to do something they see value in it. You meet needs that people have and they want to pay you to do it.
4. Passion Even if you put passion fourth, it should be part of the equation when asking, "What should I do or what am I called to?"
Passion means you care deeply about something. You're interested in it. You want to be involved with it. You want to make a difference with it.
I see this as a spiritual thing as well. The desires of your heart are part of who you are! They make you come alive. To decide to deny them and enter a career that your heart's not in long-term may not lead to thriving.
Sure, you may have to wash dishes for a season and not be passionate...but there really are others in the world who are passionate about washing dishes? Why would you take a job they could thrive in?
So, yes, JUST following your passion is definitely foolhardy and would be very poor advice.
But, so would taking most other jobs without considering the other three factors (prayer, proficiency and provision) And way too many people have no real lens to enter a career with any full-orbed wisdom...
When consideing career... either to change or the first time, we must all ask and then deeply consider
1. As I pray, what God calling me to?
2. What are my proficiencies?
3. How can I gain provision?
4. What am I passionate about?
Too many of us had no clue about 2 or more of these!It's time for that to change! (For teens, twenty-somethings and soon-to-be retirees...) Will you join this revolution?
PS.If not sure what you're passionate about in the first place, you can now Download PassionFinder2.0for free
Dirty Jobs Famed Mike Rowe recently gave a "now famous" TED talk speech in which he said that "following your passion" was the worst advice he ever received. Then in written answer to a questioner who challenged Mike's point of view, Rowe said,
When it comes to earning a living and being a productive member of society – I don’t think people should limit their options to those vocations they feel passionate towards.
Well, since this article has quickly made it's way around the internet, I think this definitely shows that1. There are many who definitely agree that people should NOT limit their options to those vocations they feel passionate about.
3. There are people doing important (but dirty) jobs in society that very few of us would be passionate about!
4. People do feel that this is significant topic and one that should be addressed.
Here's where I agree with Mike Rowe. When it comes to the idea of answering the questions,
"What am I called to do with my life?" or
"What job or career should I apply for?"
Just look at the scads of people who line up at the beginning of the American Idol auditions? Wouldn't all of them say "I'm passionate about singing?" "Should they all quit their jobs and head to Nashville?" God forbid, right!
Finding what you (or your kids, or spouse, or pals) should do with career involves more than "Follow your passion." And truly, in many societies and economies, this isn't an option.
The people who say, "Just follow your passion" as they get accolades and awards typically are not understanding the whole reality.
However,
Just because you can get paid to do something doesn't mean you should do it either. (dirty job or clean job)
Just because you're gifted to do something doesn't mean you should do it either.
It's a question that frightfully few churches, schools or parents taught us to ask. (This can and must change)
Yes, this assumes that there's a caller and this caller has something we should invest our one and only life in. So, yes, work is a spiritual endeavor. How have we come to believe it's not??
So, to honestly answer that question involves looking at four key components THAT ALL MATTER....
1. Prayer
Even if you haven't been given a clear sign or an audible voice (which you may have been given) ask God, "What do you want me to do with my career?"He may be calling you to a "dirty job" or one that others are lining up for in droves. Asking for open doors isn't bad advice either.
2. Proficiency What are you gifted to do? What have you been good at since you were small? What do others see you do and say, "Wow! You're good at that!"
You may or may not know what you're really good at. It may help to ask for honest feedback from those who know you best.
Sometimes passion comes when you're good at things... You find it easy to do and you're better than others... So you're motivated. Not a bad thing when choosing your work!
3. Provision Being able to make a living and support yourself, your family and be generous is a really good thing.
It also means that when people want to pay you to do something they see value in it. You meet needs that people have and they want to pay you to do it.
4. Passion Even if you put passion fourth, it should be part of the equation when asking, "What should I do or what am I called to?"
Passion means you care deeply about something. You're interested in it. You want to be involved with it. You want to make a difference with it.
I see this as a spiritual thing as well. The desires of your heart are part of who you are! They make you come alive. To decide to deny them and enter a career that your heart's not in long-term may not lead to thriving.
Sure, you may have to wash dishes for a season and not be passionate...but there really are others in the world who are passionate about washing dishes? Why would you take a job they could thrive in?
So, yes, JUST following your passion is definitely foolhardy and would be very poor advice.
But, so would taking most other jobs without considering the other three factors (prayer, proficiency and provision) And way too many people have no real lens to enter a career with any full-orbed wisdom...
When consideing career... either to change or the first time, we must all ask and then deeply consider
1. As I pray, what God calling me to?
2. What are my proficiencies?
3. How can I gain provision?
4. What am I passionate about?
Too many of us had no clue about 2 or more of these!It's time for that to change! (For teens, twenty-somethings and soon-to-be retirees...) Will you join this revolution?
PS.If not sure what you're passionate about in the first place, you can now Download PassionFinder2.0for free.
