We’ve heard it over and over again—“Follow your passion, and the money will follow.” It sounds beautiful. It’s romantic. It gives hope. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: for most people, this advice is more damaging than empowering. While it might work for a lucky few, for the vast majority, it sets a trap that leads to frustration, confusion, and burnout. And science, psychology, and real-world data are finally catching up to explain why.
Let’s start with a hard reality: Most people don’t have a clear, singular passion. According to research from Stanford University, the idea that we’re all born with one fixed, pre-defined passion is not only false—it actually stunts personal growth. The “fixed mindset” belief makes people give up too soon when challenges arise because if it’s your “true passion,” shouldn’t it always feel right and exciting? Real passion isn’t found. It’s built.
Studies show that people develop passion by getting good at something over time. When you become competent at a skill—writing, coding, designing, teaching—your brain starts to connect success with pleasure. You build confidence, experience flow, and begin to feel invested. It’s mastery that often gives birth to passion, not the other way around.
But the “follow your passion” narrative skips that. It creates this idea that the perfect job or calling is waiting out there if you can just find it. That illusion leads to job-hopping, restless dissatisfaction, and chronic disappointment. People chase a feeling rather than build a future. And when reality doesn’t match the dream? They blame themselves for not being “passionate enough.”
Moreover, “passion” is often mistaken for hobbies or temporary interests. You may love photography or fitness, but turning that into a career might kill your joy once pressure, deadlines, and bills come into the picture. Not all passions scale well. And not all passions should be monetized. Sometimes, keeping a passion as a personal joy rather than a profession is the healthiest choice you can make.
There’s also a harsh economic truth. The world doesn’t reward you for doing what you love. It rewards you for solving problems. If your passion doesn’t solve a real problem or add value to others, it’s unlikely to sustain you financially. The people who succeed long-term often combine what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what the world needs. This is what the Japanese concept of ikigai captures so well—not just doing what you love, but what also has purpose and demand.
So, what’s better advice than “follow your passion”? Follow your curiosity. Build your skills. Be useful. Start with what you’re mildly interested in and see where consistent effort takes you. Let competence create confidence, and let confidence fuel your passion. Passion that’s earned is far more powerful than passion that’s chased.
The truth is, passion is not a prerequisite to begin—it’s a byproduct of persistence, problem-solving, and progress. If you wait to feel passionate before you start, you’ll wait forever. But if you start now—wherever you are—you’ll grow into a path that’s uniquely yours.
TL;DR:
Don’t follow your passion blindly. Build it deliberately.
