PassionPurpose-1

Photo by Pedro Ribeiro Simões, Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution, Modification: Desaturation

People are often mistaken in the belief that in order to enjoy their job, they need to pursue their “passion”. Is following your passion worth it? Truth is, passion is overrated. There is a difference between having a purpose and a passion. For example, just because someone enjoys cycling, it does not necessarily mean he/she will make a successful career as a cyclist. Instead of confusing career and passion, we should focus on finding a purpose—finding ways to maximize your passion and skills to what the world needs. Unlike purpose, passion is vulnerable to erratic human emotions.

Take these three pointers into consideration when determining passion and purpose, and by the end we bet you will have your answer.

01 | PASSION IS OVERRATED
  • Follow purpose, external rather than intrinsic.
  • Purpose drives you to what you ought to do.
  • Finding your own purpose then motivates to you to everything else, it leads one thing to another
  • Purpose is long term, passion isn’t
  • Passion is “I’m doing because I think I’m really into it.”
  • What exactly is passion? If passion is about the enthusiasm you get when thinking of an idea, then it doesn’t lead you to anywhere.
  • Purpose determines, if not, it guides passion.
  • Purpose is looking at the bigger picture, setting proper intentions on why you are doing it. There’s a goal out of it.
  • Cultivating purpose = Cultivating life. What does the world need of you? How do you propel towards it?
  • Focusing on your own passions instead of your purpose in life, is self-serving and egotistical
02 | CULTIVATE YOUR PURPOSE
  • Nothing is ever really right/spot on the first time
  • Trial and error
  • Learn and listen from the signs
  • Ask yourself questions, why? Re-evaluate your purpose, realign it with your intention
  • Stay focused and remind yourself of your intentions on why you embarked on the journey
  • Look at the bigger picture to see the links in the details.
  • Just do it
03 | PRIORITIES vs. BELIEFS
  • Setting your priorities
  • Jotting it down
  • Sticking to it when it is hard instead of going down
  • The importance of staying optimistic. It is the first quality you should have to drive to success
  • If you don’t motivate yourself to your own purpose, how will it work?
CASE STUDY
The Change School
The Change School is a lifelong learning institute, cultivating entrepreneurial grit, competencies and personal growth to help people realize their potential and move forward. They aim to align values and life choices together. They create unique experiences designed to help students connect the dots and take action with confidence, clarity and emotional intelligence. Their Theory of Change: the world would be a better place if people were more connected to themselves and to each other—building upon a shared goal of self-realization and the desire to make a positive impact on the global community.

Passion alone will only drift you. Once you’ve found your purpose, it will help to re-align your passion and focus. Without purpose, passion is just merely enthusiasm with no drive. There is no such thing as a ‘perfect job’ but having a purpose in life will determine your journey and destination. Trust yourself and just do it.

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FROM THE EDITOR
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