Following your passion

June 12th, 2010 → 10:00 am @


*wants this office* courtesy from Green Desk

With the school year ending and several of my friends entering into a new season, I wanted to talk a little bit about figuring out what you want to do in life, career wise. It really is a personal journey (emphasis on journey) to discovering that age old question, but I do want to stake this claim: it’s hard to go wrong if you follow your passion.

But first, a little annecdote:

I remember when I was submitting my college applications, I felt so much pressure to chose the “correct” major. I was scared that if I didn’t pick the right path to start on, the rest of my career life would be ruined, utterly ruined! (Yes, I could be a bit dramatic…). At the same time, while I absolutely love my dad and know he has only the best interest for me, I felt a lot of pressure from him in picking a career that would be secure and make a whole lotta money. I was good at math and science, and was on my way towards becoming a genetic engineer – something I was genuinely interested in but not passionate about. I realized then that despite my dad’s firm beliefs that I should at least get an undergraduate degree in engineering (a path my sister took, and now is an amazing patent lawyer), it wouldn’t make me happy. Instead I signed up for Communications in attempts of becoming a journalist, realized that wasn’t for me either, considered advertising, marketing, and being a buyer for big-time department stores, etc. etc. and overall felt a bit lost by the end of my college career.

My graduation from UC Berkeley, 2009; can you spot me?

I finally decided to sit down and really think about what my passions were. I’ve always been drawn to creating: clothes for my Barbies, Christmas wreaths, Mod Podge collages, I loved it all. I’ve enjoy writing quite a bit. I also wanted to help people – maybe I wouldn’t be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer, but if I could figure out how to help people feel better about themselves at least, then I would be satisfied. That’s how this whole blogging business came about, and while I’ve only been at it for less than a year, I’m loving it and have big dreams for the future.

All this to say, if you want to have a successful and satisfying career, follow your passions. I wholeheartedly believe that if you are doing something you love, you will naturally strive to and eventually become very successful at what you do. I believe we were given specific passions for a reason. One this is for sure, when work is fun, you work hard. One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Henry John Heinz of Heinz ketchup, who said “To do a common thing, uncommonly well, brings success.” I think that dose of “uncommonly well” ability comes from joy for what you do, whether it’s becoming a doctor or creating art, or perhaps being an amazing mom.

So, think of those things you love to do, what your natural abilities are (even with something as silly as being able to burp, really really well), and consider how that can be turned into an occupation. Easier said than done, right? It’s not a simple process, or even a quick one, but when it clicks you’ve got a ticket to a very satisfying and successful career! If you need to supplement it with another job, do it, but don’t give up on those passions.

PS – I just want to say as well, your career should never be your life. My husband and I remind ourselves of this everyday.

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