Follow Your Passion Is Bad Advice - Here's Why

When Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford University in June 2005, one thing went viral.

Following your passion is the ultimate career advice and doing other wise is a waste of time. The key theme here being, if you don't get a job from your passions, you're not going to enjoy life. If you do follow your passion, money will follow.

Here's The Problem - Steve Jobs Didn't Do That

Steve Jobs didn't start out with a passion for electronics and business. He was a student of western history and dance (which he dropped out of eventually). Long story short, he dabbled in a few things before starting Apple Computer.

There are three takeaways from Steve's story:

1. Steve Became Passionate About What He Did

It's true that Steve Jobs was passionate about the things he did at Apple. Anyone who has seen his Keynotes can vouch for that. He had a flair for business and a vision for tech but it wasn't his first passion.

2. We Can't Spend Life On Multiple Schemes And Hope Something Will Workout

Steve Jobs worked on different things before starting Apple Computer. Sure, you could argue that we too can try different things but how many of us are actually willing to try?

How do we know when the project is good, or we move on?

3. Things Are Always Lost In The Details

While revisiting Jobs journey prior to Apple Computer, you'll realise he had a lot of different roles and interests. He moved between trying quick cash from tech jobs and zen practice. Not what really translates from his speech.

This isn't meant to discredit Jobs, a visionary who has made Apple what it is today. It's to not fall into the trap of feel good advice that has a lot more to it than meets the eye.