I was preparing this post as a draft and before I got it ready to published, La Papillion beat me to it! But you should carry on reading this post before moving to his. If you don’t read this, you should at least read his (I’m serious).
I have been told not to focus on making money, but to find what I am passionate about and do it. Chances are if you are passionate about something, you tend to do it better than most people and this puts you to the top of the field. Hence, money will come as a second nature. We know all the top earners are people that are passionate in their respective fields. Take Warren Buffett and Bill Gates for examples. Wealth is a byproduct. I have collected what the most passionate people have to say:
Oprah Winfrey:
“What I know is, is that if you do work that you love, and work that fulfills you, the rest will come… And, I truly believe, that the reason I’ve been able to be so financially successful is because my focus has never, ever for one minute been money.”
“Would you do your job and not be paid for it?” In asking this question herself, Oprah replies, “I would do this job, and take on a second job just to make ends meet if nobody paid me. That’s how you know you are doing the right thing.” [taken from http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/514/Lesson-5-Find-Your-Passion.html]
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates:
“They say success is getting what you want and happiness is wanting what you get. I don’t know which one applies in this case, but I do know I wouldn’t be doing anything else. … I always worry about people who say, ‘I’m only going to do this for 10 years. I really don’t like it very well. And then I’ll do this …’That’s a little like saving up sex for your old age. Not a very good idea.” [Taken from http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/10111/1/Warren-Buffett-pursuing-your-passion/Page1.html]
Forty-one McGill students travelled to Omaha for a two-hour question-and-answer period with the 75-year-old behind Berkshire Hathaway on 13 Jan 06. MBA student David Derlachter says another student asked Buffett whether it’s good to go for a job because it’ll look good on the resumé. “Buffett said you have to go where your passion is. Basically, if you’re not going after what you want it’s a big waste of time.” Derlachter says it was inspiring to see someone so successful telling you to do what you love. [Taken from http://www.mcgill.ca/reporter/38/10/buffett/]
The man has more money than I can comprehend. Buying 120 people lunch is like me buying a gumball, or more likely, sharing a gumball. But he drives a simple car (a 1980s Cadillac), has lived in the same home for his entire life, and doesn’t seem to want more. His investment philosophy is the same. Find an undervalued company with good management, buy low, sell high. He doesn’t need fancy financial products that no one really understands; he just looks for good businesses. Oh, and he loves what he does. You can see how it sustains him, keeping him engaged day in and day out. I think he wanted to show us that. At a time in our lives when we’ve taken ourselves out of the workforce to build our skill set and reflect on our careers, he wanted to show us that money follows passion and simplicity brings happiness. [Taken from http://depts.washington.edu/foster/a-visit-with-the-oracle-warren-buffett/]
While Bill Gates mentioned several, Warren Buffett simply said, “find what turns you on”. If he’d been drawn in by the opportunity in Gates’s industry, he “wouldn’t have done so well”.
Buffett said: “do what you would do if … the money meant nothing to you… You’ll have more fun and be more successful”.
Gates used a phrase straight out of Jim Collins’s hedgehog concept: “Find a thing that you’re passionate about, and that you’re good at”. [Taken from http://blogs.bnet.co.uk/sterling-performance/2009/11/17/gates-and-buffetts-advice-for-entrepreneurs/]
Richard Branson
Virgin founder Richard Branson once said that if you can indulge your passion, life will be far more interesting than if you’re working. Every business Branson enters, whether it’s airlines, music, or space travel, has to be fun for him. He has to have a passion for it. Otherwise he’s working, and who wants to do that? I believe the secret behind Branson’s charisma lies in the simple fact that he finds joy and passion in what he does, and it comes across in the way he articulates the vision behind his brand. [Taken from http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2006/sb20060831_090137.htm\]
Steve Jobs
Believe in it more than anybody else. I think I overcame every single one of my personal shortcomings by the sheer passion I brought to my work. I don’t know if you’re born with this kind of passion, or if you can learn it. But I do know you need it. If you love your work, you’ll be out there every day trying to do it the best you possibly can, and pretty soon everybody around will catch the passion from you — like a fever. [Taken from http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol76/walton.htm]
I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle. [Taken from http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html]
So as La Papillion put it: Should you be Realistic or Idealistic? He argues that if the field that you are passionate in cannot earn you a decent living, you should be more realistic and not idealistic.
I Agree
He was quoting a real life example of a potential professional golfer that gave up the pursue because it cannot pay well enough in Singapore. But what I know is that you need to be very very good, comparable to international standards, to be possibly earning big bucks. It is possible but it is very tough. If you do not have that ambition, forget about it. Almost everything follows the 80/20 principle. The top 20% of golfers earn 80% of the prize money (just to illustrate and the actual percentage may vary). So if your passion cannot carry you that far, it is true that being realistic is a better choice.
I Disagree
On the other hand, I feel that LP is weighing it with monetary returns. What about the intangible part? If he does not earn more than anyone else but he has enough to survive, and happily doing what he likes to do, is it wrong? I suppose left brain dominated people and engineers are likely to be realistic. Right brain people and artists are likely to be idealistic.
I am Confused
I am not sure. I think I am like most people, who do not know what our passion is. So I think the best way is to be realistic until you find what you want to do. LP says, “you must be one of the lucky few that can marry the wishes of the heart and the wallet.” I think you must be lucky to find what is the wish of your heart.
You may also like:
- Warren Buffett – "The market, like the Lord, helps those who help themselves…"
- Money is a by-product
- Warren Buffett – "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing."
- Warren Buffett – "It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price."
- The Purpose of Work
- Warren Buffett – "Great investment opportunities come around…"
- Warren Buffett – "In evaluating people, you look for three qualities…"
- Warren Buffett – "Our method is very simple…"
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
For 7 years I worked in the bank after graduating in 1993….then I gave it all up, a cushy job paying me over S$6,000, to pursue my passion.
The first year my income dropped to S$2,500 less than half of what I used to earn…however, I carried on, because I find so much joy and fulfillment in what I do, that I was even prepared to earn Nothing for the first 2 years of self-employment…..
By year 2007, 7 years after I left the bank, I earned S$6,000, slightly less than what I earned in year 2000….however, today I am financially free and still having alot of joy and fulfillment in what I do.
If Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey are too distant examples, you have just read about an Average Singaporean who pursued his passion and achieved Financial Freedom, real life story.
What should you do? Well, each person has to decide for himself/herself. It is your life afterall, not mine.
Cheers!
Dennis Ng
For 7 years I worked in the bank after graduating in 1993….then I gave it all up, a cushy job paying me over S$6,000, to pursue my passion.
The first year my income dropped to S$2,500 less than half of what I used to earn…however, I carried on, because I find so much joy and fulfillment in what I do, that I was even prepared to earn Nothing for the first 2 years of self-employment…..
By year 2007, 7 years after I left the bank, I earned S$6,000, slightly less than what I earned in year 2000….however, today I am financially free and still having alot of joy and fulfillment in what I do.
If Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey are too distant examples, you have just read about an Average Singaporean who pursued his passion and achieved Financial Freedom, real life story.
What should you do? Well, each person has to decide for himself/herself. It is your life afterall, not mine.
Cheers!
Dennis Ng
Hi Alvin,
Thanks for referencing my article and reading it so closely. I share with you your disagreements and agreements, not to mention your confusion. Sometimes, I also don’t know what I want in life. You know, it’s like if you like maths, you’ll do well. But if you do well in something, you’ll also come to like it too. Passion can be cultivated…essentially it’s a chicken and egg issue.
Hi Dennis,
Would it be intruding to ask you this: Do you have a family that is dependent on your when you decided to switch job and even willing to forgo your salary for 2 yrs? Or do you have a big cushion saved up from your old job to weather these 2 yrs?
Hi Alvin,
Thanks for referencing my article and reading it so closely. I share with you your disagreements and agreements, not to mention your confusion. Sometimes, I also don’t know what I want in life. You know, it’s like if you like maths, you’ll do well. But if you do well in something, you’ll also come to like it too. Passion can be cultivated…essentially it’s a chicken and egg issue.
Hi Dennis,
Would it be intruding to ask you this: Do you have a family that is dependent on your when you decided to switch job and even willing to forgo your salary for 2 yrs? Or do you have a big cushion saved up from your old job to weather these 2 yrs?
The root word of ‘passion’ is from greek word ‘passio’. It means suffering. Yes, suffering. You are said to have passion if you are willing to suffer for what you ‘believe’ in and ‘pursue’. Most people stop at believe part and dont pursue. Those who exhibit passion, pursue. You are willing to pay the price for a reward that’s elusive. People who pursue passion can end with 2 outcomes:
1) Pursue the passion and pay the price. Not rewarded.
2) Pursue the passion, pay the price and get rewarded.
If you equate passion to reward, I can seriously say you got the equation wrong. Whatever the outcome, passion is what you pay for.
The root word of ‘passion’ is from greek word ‘passio’. It means suffering. Yes, suffering. You are said to have passion if you are willing to suffer for what you ‘believe’ in and ‘pursue’. Most people stop at believe part and dont pursue. Those who exhibit passion, pursue. You are willing to pay the price for a reward that’s elusive. People who pursue passion can end with 2 outcomes:
1) Pursue the passion and pay the price. Not rewarded.
2) Pursue the passion, pay the price and get rewarded.
If you equate passion to reward, I can seriously say you got the equation wrong. Whatever the outcome, passion is what you pay for.
Confucius say:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius say:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Hi La papillion,
in 1998 I discovered what I really want to do. By then I was already married and had to service Housing Loan instalment. I took the next 2 years to save up enough money to pay for 2 years of my expenses before resigning in year 2000. My first child was born in 1999, so when I resigned in year 2000, I have Housing Loan instalment and a child.
For first 2 years after resigning, I earned about S$2,500 to S$3,00 a month, less than half of what I was paid while in the bank. In 2007, my income was about S$6,000, 7 years after striking out on my own. If I had stayed in the bank, by year 2007, I probably might earn anything from S$10,000 to S$15,000 a month.
What is Passion? Simple ways to find out whether you’re passionate about something is to ask yourself:”what are you willing to do, even if you’re not paid?” “If today you’re rich and financially free, what would make you get up in the morning and what would you do?” “What are you willing to sacrifice for, even if it means risking your life?
Most people talk about passion. To pursue your passion is something else. As mentioned, the greatest reward comes from the joy and fulfillment of “doing the thing itself”, not any monetary rewards or other recognition for doing the work.
10 years ago, I quitted my job to pursue my passion. I suffered a big pay cut, but feel happy and fulfilled. 10 years later, now I’m financially free and still feel happy and fulfilled.
Hi La papillion,
in 1998 I discovered what I really want to do. By then I was already married and had to service Housing Loan instalment. I took the next 2 years to save up enough money to pay for 2 years of my expenses before resigning in year 2000. My first child was born in 1999, so when I resigned in year 2000, I have Housing Loan instalment and a child.
For first 2 years after resigning, I earned about S$2,500 to S$3,00 a month, less than half of what I was paid while in the bank. In 2007, my income was about S$6,000, 7 years after striking out on my own. If I had stayed in the bank, by year 2007, I probably might earn anything from S$10,000 to S$15,000 a month.
What is Passion? Simple ways to find out whether you’re passionate about something is to ask yourself:”what are you willing to do, even if you’re not paid?” “If today you’re rich and financially free, what would make you get up in the morning and what would you do?” “What are you willing to sacrifice for, even if it means risking your life?
Most people talk about passion. To pursue your passion is something else. As mentioned, the greatest reward comes from the joy and fulfillment of “doing the thing itself”, not any monetary rewards or other recognition for doing the work.
10 years ago, I quitted my job to pursue my passion. I suffered a big pay cut, but feel happy and fulfilled. 10 years later, now I’m financially free and still feel happy and fulfilled.
2 simple choices:
1. Pursue your passion and willing to suffer and sacrifice for Passion as what Ryan mentioned and I personally experienced myself.
2. Stay in a job (neutral but not a job you hate) and Pursue your passion during free time. P.S. Why you should not work in a job you hate, becos if you do, your working attitude would likely be poor and it is a torture to others whey you go about your job daily grudgingly.
Whatever choice you make, remember it is your Own Choice, don’t blame anyone, anything for your choice. Don’t tell me you have no Choice, because I myself sacrificed so that I can pursue my choice.
One day we will all die. Do you want to die knowing that you have not done what you really want to do? The choice is yours to make. It is your own life, choose the life you want to live.
2 simple choices:
1. Pursue your passion and willing to suffer and sacrifice for Passion as what Ryan mentioned and I personally experienced myself.
2. Stay in a job (neutral but not a job you hate) and Pursue your passion during free time. P.S. Why you should not work in a job you hate, becos if you do, your working attitude would likely be poor and it is a torture to others whey you go about your job daily grudgingly.
Whatever choice you make, remember it is your Own Choice, don’t blame anyone, anything for your choice. Don’t tell me you have no Choice, because I myself sacrificed so that I can pursue my choice.
One day we will all die. Do you want to die knowing that you have not done what you really want to do? The choice is yours to make. It is your own life, choose the life you want to live.
Thank you guys for your forthcoming and honest responses. It’s really a good discussion and made me aware of the other perspective.
Thanks to Ryan for pointing out passion involves suffering.
Thanks Dennis for sharing your real life experience. And I must say, I am living your 2nd choice right now. Staying in a job that I do not hate or like.
Thanks Daniel for your quote. I know the quote but I was not aware that it was Confucius that said it.
Thank you guys for your forthcoming and honest responses. It’s really a good discussion and made me aware of the other perspective.
Thanks to Ryan for pointing out passion involves suffering.
Thanks Dennis for sharing your real life experience. And I must say, I am living your 2nd choice right now. Staying in a job that I do not hate or like.
Thanks Daniel for your quote. I know the quote but I was not aware that it was Confucius that said it.
I certainly agree with going with your passion but with a dash of practicality. And to do so, you’ll have to plan. for eg. Be prepared to pursue your passion with a very meager income by saving up for it first.
I am certainly one who’ll go with my passion and live my life knowing I’ve given what i wanted a try than one filled with “What if..??”
That’s why I started my own biz a year back.
I certainly agree with going with your passion but with a dash of practicality. And to do so, you’ll have to plan. for eg. Be prepared to pursue your passion with a very meager income by saving up for it first.
I am certainly one who’ll go with my passion and live my life knowing I’ve given what i wanted a try than one filled with “What if..??”
That’s why I started my own biz a year back.
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