Photo by Stephen Poff
I received this question from a reader and thought it would be interesting to give my answer, but also share with other readers.
Q: Can everyone really pursue their true passion in life? If this were the case, you’d have an influx of people pursuing the same careers (rock star, athlete, pilot, actor, author, etc). Who would do the run-of-the-mill jobs that we need to keep our society running?
A: Great question. When I was a Radio DJ, I asked the morning host how he got into radio.
He said that many radio DJ’s are actually “failed musicians” – meaning they originally tried to support themselves by being rockstars, but for a variety of reasons, couldn’t quite make it. But, he said that being a radio DJ allows him to be involved in the same industry, interact with the same people, and cultivate his passion for music.
It made me think that we don’t all have to be rockstars, because we might be equally as happy being the guy who hands the rockstar their guitar.
In theory, could everyone pursue their true passion in life? I don’t know.
Might take some juggling to make it work. Though I’ve realized that there are many ways to pursue our passions, whether being involed in the industry in some way like this radio DJ, or looking to satisfy your passion outside of work.
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What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And then there’s the fact that most people don’t really want to be rock stars. Sure they’ll say they do, but if it came down to facing the work and the other stresses associated with it, they’d bail.
There’s also the point that if everyone was a rock star, it wouldn’t be that interesting or popular. If people just wanted to be something popular, they’d end up having to pick something else.
I heard Tiger Woods was asked something along those lines too. His response was that if anyone else wanted to work as hard as he had, they could have what he has. No one else works as hard at what he does.
No one is forced into a job they don’t want. Can everyone follow their dream? Of course. Will they? Nope.
You make a great (if depressing) point Louis. Not many people are willing to work hard enough for their passion. But hopefully, the more people that do, the more happiness will be generated.
I think the questioner forgets that plenty of people are super passionate about their less-than-glamourous jobs. Me for instance, I’m a college career advisor. And I LOVE what I do, it’s truly my passion. It’s not glamorous, it won’t make me famous, but I enjoy every minute of it.
I also think people have many passions, and pursue them in different ways other than as a career. I’m also passionate about travel, reading, and organization (random, I know), but I get my thrills doing those things outside my 9-5 job.
Passion can be pursued and found in any career.
I’ve started a whole website for this topic about how people have pursued their passion…www.pursuethepassion.com.
What Sean heard from a radio DJ is what I heard from Michael Jordan’s shoe designer…’you don’t have to be Carmelo Anthony or Lebron James or the guy who is making that jumper…you can be the guy who designs the products of that guy making the jumper.’