STOP Following Your Passion | 854

March 20, 2025 by Alex Hormozi

"Competence plus time leads to passion."

"The way you approach work can fundamentally change the work itself."

"Doing the work is seen as a dutiful responsibility."

In this episode, the host tackles the advice to 'follow your passion,' asserting that it often leads to confusion and dissatisfaction. He reflects on his journey from being broke to building a successful business, which stemmed from skills rather than passion. The argument begins with the notion that passion often develops after one gains competence through deliberate practice. The host cites Angela Duckworth's research, which delineates the stages of building grit—from initial exposure to recognizing value in skills, ultimately leading to passion.

He argues that 'follow your passion' is vague, as many people lack a clear passion and thus struggle to decide on a career path. He promotes the idea of focusing on skills instead. The episode highlights that liking an activity doesn't guarantee proficiency; one may be passionate about something but not talented at it, suggesting a separation between hobbies and profitable career paths.

The host criticizes the notion that work must always be enjoyable, sharing anecdotes illustrating that many successful individuals derive satisfaction from hard work rather than passion. He urges listeners to focus on factors beyond passion, such as work environment, pay, and relationships with colleagues. The episode concludes with actionable advice: start with curiosity, commit to learning and skill development, set realistic expectations, keep money realities in consideration, and connect work to serving others. Ultimately, he posits that true passion cultivates over time through hard work and a focus on contributing to others.

Key Takeaways

Passion develops through competence; focus on building skills first.
Following your passion is vague and may lead to confusion; it's better to leverage innate skills.
Work can be fulfilling even without passion; attitude toward work plays a significant role in satisfaction.
Real career success involves factors beyond passion, such as environment, financial stability, and purpose.
Passion should evolve; remain flexible to change interests over time.