“Divided Efforts: When Passion Pursuit Becomes the Distraction.

Doing what you don’t want to do is a skill, and I would argue that it’s often the most responsible choice to make. I find myself bombarded with messages that say, “Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life,” or “Do what you love and you’ll find happiness.” Then comes “Pursue your passion.”

I’m discovering this approach can place me in a situation where my efforts are divided between pursuing my passions, doing what I love, and expending effort to make myself happy in what I’m doing—all while hoping it becomes what I love. Meanwhile, there’s the task in front of me.

These tasks are the ones that the pursuit of happiness and passion would suggest I neglect in order to achieve my goals. But actually, it’s the task in front of me—the form to sign, the meeting to attend, the decision to make that doesn’t always align with my passions—that is often the most generous act and will have the greatest impact.

Question for reflection: What important task are you avoiding because it doesn’t align with your passions?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​