15 Comments
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Juan Salas-Romer's avatar

Very thoughtful and impeccable arguments. Passion comes from a craft well done, from society validating your worth, from being able to solve things, help others, etc. This reminded me of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. You get to self-actualization (purpose) only after you achieve self-esteem. Self-esteem is achieved by gaining confidence. Gaining confidence is about doing a job well done and validated.

John Brewton's avatar

Thanks so much, Juan. Happy this article resonated with you. Really like your wording: “Passions comes from a craft well done.”

Appreciate you. Have a great weekend!

Juan Salas-Romer's avatar

I’ll keep reading your work. Cheers!

John Brewton's avatar

Likewise, Juan! Thanks.

Brian Carter's avatar

I agree about skills. Especially for young people.

There are six equally important questions.

What who how why where when

As a marketer I always disagreed with Sinek. I usually start with Who.

Good business starts with caring about the customer, especially since so many business leaders are focused on self.

Alexander So's avatar

It looks like your why is you need to make more money, which gives you the reason to take those courses that developed your competence.

Jens Stark's avatar

Excellent article, John! I really like the layout as well, it's different and it looks great.

This statement is simply awesome: "vision is cheap; disciplined execution is scarce."

John Brewton's avatar

Thanks, Jens! Much appreciated my friend. Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Chris Tottman's avatar

Brilliant article, the best I've read this week. The inner struggle between the magnetic poles of someones desire for purpose vs their skills in a dynamic market is an ever ongoing struggle. Appears to be a universal feature of the human condition 💙 Thanks for publishing

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

This is such a well argued article John, and I really appreciate the suggested reading. Do you think there is ever room for passion and skills though? Sometimes I feel like I have hit a sweet spot with my academic work, but the caveat to that is I don't know when I am ever really 'off'...

John Brewton's avatar

Sam, thanks so much! And yes, I absolutely believe there is space for achieving both. I have definitely been fortunate in that way across my career. But the sincerest passion I have ever experienced when it comes to my work has followed the disciplined, hard work that drove skill development and/or academic achievement. Thanks again!

Curious, reading anything good these days?

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

For sure! Academically: The Coming Wave.

And for fun: Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow was inhaled!

Not the most fringe picks but highly recommended.

John Brewton's avatar

Love The Coming Wave! Thanks Sam. Have a great weekend!

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

Thanks John. You too. 🙏

Tope Olofin's avatar

As someone who has often struggled with finding a why, why all I just wanted to do was succeed in business, I just breathed a sigh of relief after reading this. Thank you John