Don't Follow Your Passion...

...follow you talent. I've been big on this since I read the thought-provoking book So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. But this was highlighted to me by a great quote from Scott Galloway in his book about "The Four Horseman" of the digital economy (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon), The Four. (Which in its own right is a quality read that advocates breaking up the big tech firms, although he doesn't seem to be bothered by the danger they pose with their ability to censor and direct search results.) 

Take responsibility for your own career, and manage it. People will tell you to 'follow our passion.' This, again, is bullshit. I would like to be quarterback for the New York Jets. I'm tall, have a good arm, decent leadership skills, and would enjoy owning car dealerships after my knees go. However, I have marginal athletic ability--learned this fast at UCLA. People who tell you to follow your passion are already rich.

Don't follow your passion, follow your talent. Determine what you are good at (early), and commit to becoming great at it. You don't have to love it, just don't hate it. If practice takes you from good to great, the recognition and compensation you will command will make you start to love it. And, ultimately, you will be able to shape your career and your specialty to focus on the aspects you enjoy the most. And if not—make good money and then go follow your passion. No kid dreams of being a tax accountant. However, the best tax accountants on the planet fly first class and marry people better looking than themselves—both things they are likely to be passionate about. (Pg. 234)

We are entering a world of "winner takes all" in almost all of the arts and "passion" careers. A couple winners (i.e. Taylor Swift, Chris Pratt and Pewdiepie) and a lot of losers. Passions can wait (or be hobbies). And given the fact that most people are out there "searching" for their passion and waiting to begin their career until they find it; following your passion can be very dangerous advise indeed.

Instead, follow your talent. Be so good they can't ignore you.