Best career advice ever.

Vid

http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/mik...?feed=rss_news

In the long history of inspirational pabulum, "follow your passion" has got to be the worst. Even if this drivel were confined to the borders of the cheap plastic frames that typically surround it, I'd condemn the whole sentiment as dangerous, not because it's cliché, but because so many people believe it. Over and over, people love to talk about the passion that guided them to happiness. When I left high school--confused and unsure of everything--my guidance counselor assured me that it would all work out, if I could just muster the courage to follow my dreams. My Scoutmaster said to trust my gut. And my pastor advised me to listen to my heart. What a crock.

Why do we do this? Why do we tell our kids--and ourselves--that following some form of desire is the key to job satisfaction? If I've learned anything from this show, it's the folly of looking for a job that completely satisfies a "true purpose." In fact, the happiest people I've met over the last few years have not followed their passion at all--they have instead brought it with them.

This might be something to keep in mind. With the economy tanking hard and competition stiff already, not all of us are going to get into to grad school and even fewer will become professors.

Regardless, Mike Rowe is awesome.

TMFKAN64

Quote by Vid

This might be something to keep in mind. With the economy tanking hard and competition stiff already, not all of us are going to get into to grad school and even fewer will become professors.

So the solution is to give up and get a job biting the testicles off sheep?

Sorry, but I aspire to more. And I can't believe that that is a bad thing, for me or for society at large.

Locrian

Quote by TMFKAN64

So the solution is to give up and get a job biting the testicles off sheep?

Sorry, but I aspire to more.

You didn't understand Rowe's point.

berkeman

Quote by Locrian

You didn't understand Rowe's point.

To be honest, I had trouble decoding what he was trying to say as well. Or at least I don't agree with what I think he was trying to say on the surface.

glueball8

I don't get what the article means...

cdotter

Have pride in what you do, and you'll be happy?

Disowned

Quote by cdotter

Have pride in what you do, and you'll be happy?

That's pretty much it. What he is saying is don't fall into the trap of "following your heart" because you'll end up doing something you aren't suited for.

TMFKAN64

I have no doubt that people who have no desire to accomplish anything but the task set before them today are, in general, much happier than the people who have real goals and aspirations.

If all you want to do is bite off sheep testicles all day, it's almost impossible to fail. If you try to do more than that, it's almost certain that you will fail at some point. And most probably fail repeatedly. But personally, I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't at least try.

I tend to believe that one should follow one's dream... but even more than that, I think I believe in self-improvement. I might not get to where I want to go... but I'm sure that I'll be a better person for putting in the effort.

chasely

I think the point of the article is to not blindly follow one's dreams, but to have the ability to reflect on what you are doing and making sure that it is still part of your "dream".

As a watcher of Dirty Jobs, you notice that most of these people take advantage of an opportunity that comes along that they may not have taken if they were dead set on following their dream.

Also, I think there's this negative feeling surrounding blue collar workers. Nearly every person that appears on the show works in, or owns a small business. They are doing quite alright for themselves, I believe.

will.c

Quote by TMFKAN64

I have no doubt that people who have no desire to accomplish anything but the task set before them today are, in general, much happier than the people who have real goals and aspirations.

If all you want to do is bite off sheep testicles all day, it's almost impossible to fail. If you try to do more than that, it's almost certain that you will fail at some point. And most probably fail repeatedly. But personally, I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't at least try.

I tend to believe that one should follow one's dream... but even more than that, I think I believe in self-improvement. I might not get to where I want to go... but I'm sure that I'll be a better person for putting in the effort.

You seem to know an awful lot about sheep testicle biting.

Anyway - pursuing some higher purpose might be good for you. If that's what you want, go for it! But when you start to think you're better than someone else for it, that's when it becomes very, very silly.

Disowned

However, it has to be said that the article is really nothing more than a way for the writer to advertise his show by playing on the fears that people have about the current economy.

TMFKAN64

Quote by will.c

But when you start to think you're better than someone else for it, that's when it becomes very, very silly.

I never said I was better than anyone else. I said that I was a better *me* for trying.

I certainly don't look down on blue collar workers.. after all, *someone* has to bite off those sheep testicles... and if anything, I'm grateful it isn't me.

will.c

That's a pretty sinister plot, eh? I didn't know the economy had gotten so bad that I'd have to start watching the discovery channel.

will.c

Quote by TMFKAN64

I never said I was better than anyone else. I said that I was a better *me* for trying.

I'm not saying you were. I'm saying the fact that it's good advice for you is not sufficient to make it good advice for all. Different strokes, good for the goose and all that.

glueball8

Quote by cdotter

Have pride in what you do, and you'll be happy?

If you do what you want to do then pride in is a given, isn't it?

dawin

If you have a "dream" or a goal what's the hurt in pursuing it? None I'd presume. I get the feel that he's suggesting avoid tunnel vision, as you may pass up other opportunities that offer their own rewards.

Saladsamurai

Mike Rowe can suck it.

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Disowned	However, it has to be said that the article is really nothing more than a way for the writer to advertise his show by playing on the fears that people have about the current economy.

will.c	That's a pretty sinister plot, eh? I didn't know the economy had gotten so bad that I'd have to start watching the discovery channel.

dawin	If you have a "dream" or a goal what's the hurt in pursuing it? None I'd presume. I get the feel that he's suggesting avoid tunnel vision, as you may pass up other opportunities that offer their own rewards.

Saladsamurai Recognitions: Gold Member	Mike Rowe can suck it.