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.
I so appreciate coming across this article. A really insightful perspective John. Thank you!
I wonder if part of the why needs to be not about the why for me, personally, but about the why for what kind of impact can I make in the world, in an area that is needed and valued by the world.
So, it's still related to me. But it, importantly, takes into consideration the impact that the world needs and values from me.
For example, you love economics just like you love drumming but the world needs more of you as an economist. (You can let me know whether that rings true or not. ☺️)
I also hear that we need to be flexible because the needs of the world can change and we need to adapt our offerings along with it.
I'm so pleased the article spoke to you. I think it's a great point about looking to the impact you want to make on the world. I have found that the skills and expertise I have developed over my career have enabled me to have the greatest impact on problem-solving and to help the largest number of people in those specific use cases.
So I think it's also interesting to think about the impact you want to make on the world, not only in terms of what you see that the world needs, but also what you see that you could specifically do to help solve a particular problem based on your unique skills. Ostensibly, where do the problems and your skills align best.
Hope this helps. Thanks again for the great share.
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
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'...
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!
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
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.
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!
I’ll keep reading your work. Cheers!
Likewise, Juan! Thanks.
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.
I so appreciate coming across this article. A really insightful perspective John. Thank you!
I wonder if part of the why needs to be not about the why for me, personally, but about the why for what kind of impact can I make in the world, in an area that is needed and valued by the world.
So, it's still related to me. But it, importantly, takes into consideration the impact that the world needs and values from me.
For example, you love economics just like you love drumming but the world needs more of you as an economist. (You can let me know whether that rings true or not. ☺️)
I also hear that we need to be flexible because the needs of the world can change and we need to adapt our offerings along with it.
Again, I appreciate the article, John. Thank you!
I'm so pleased the article spoke to you. I think it's a great point about looking to the impact you want to make on the world. I have found that the skills and expertise I have developed over my career have enabled me to have the greatest impact on problem-solving and to help the largest number of people in those specific use cases.
So I think it's also interesting to think about the impact you want to make on the world, not only in terms of what you see that the world needs, but also what you see that you could specifically do to help solve a particular problem based on your unique skills. Ostensibly, where do the problems and your skills align best.
Hope this helps. Thanks again for the great share.
Purpose tends to find you once you're already in motion.
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.
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."
Thanks, Jens! Much appreciated my friend. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
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
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'...
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?
For sure! Academically: The Coming Wave.
And for fun: Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow was inhaled!
Not the most fringe picks but highly recommended.
Love The Coming Wave! Thanks Sam. Have a great weekend!
Thanks John. You too. 🙏
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