Everyone gets a participation award!
That’s what younger generations grow up learning.
It doesn’t matter how much work you put in. If you show up, the judge hands you an award.
Even worse, parents tell their kids that they can grow up to do anything they want. They can be actors, astronauts, or even president… just follow your dreams!
But this is shit advice (statistically speaking).
My response might seem harsh but it’s far from it. Most people that follow their dreams end up in debt and stressed out. The bloated college system in the United States feeds on “following your dream.”
Are You a Special Snowflake?
The chance that you become an astronaut for the United States is less than 0.0001%. As of last year, NASA reported only 44 active astronauts and there are 323 million Americans.
Although, Trump might have increased the chances of becoming an astronaut. He directed the pentagon to establish a space force.
Either way, most dreams that people follow are unrealistic…
Feel free to shoot for the stars but I urge you to proceed with caution. It’s important to have a backup plan so you can support yourself financially.
If you have a burning desire to start a side business, don’t quit your day job. Instead, start building it up outside of work hours.
If you’re not dedicated enough to work a full day and then focus on your side gig… are you really passionate about it? Sure, a 9-to-5 wears us all down, but we all have 16 hours remaining each day (8 after sleeping).
Only once you’ve taken your idea from proof of concept to sales – and it’s scalable – should you consider pursuing it full time.
Too often, I see people jump headfirst into following their passion. They load up on debt to “play” business or obtain philosophy degrees, etc.
Eventually, reality creeps in. Outside of their family and friends, no one wants to buy their products or services. And the folks with the expensive history degrees can’t find the work they want.
Unemployment has dropped but many graduates are underemployed. According to the New York Fed, 43% of recent graduates are in jobs that don’t require a college degree.
So all that I ask is that you think twice before you follow your passion.
There’s much better advice and it comes from an unlikely source…
Turn Your Work into Your Passion
Mike Rowe, the man behind the TV series Dirty Jobs, has uncovered a truth that everyone should hear…
Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you. – Mike Rowe
The video below explains his logic. It’s a powerful message and many people need to hear it…
Your happiness has little to do with the type of work you do.
Your mind is powerful and you can train yourself to be passionate about anything. So start with some jobs that are in high demand.
Don’t fall prey to following a pipe dream.
Invest mindfully,
Brian Kehm
Great article Brian!