How Passion May Develop Around Mastery

Following on our previous post about the fact that “follow your passion” might be bullshit, some authors take a position that actually passion develops by learning doing very well a useful work. That is to say, passion would develop slowly around mastery.

I find that it is a very interesting point of view that is worth considering. Mastering some technique is a way to elevate self-confidence, something that can found one’s identity, and become a real passion that defines oneself.

Passion would then not be just intrinsic, but develop as a response to external feedback.

Truth probably lies between those two opposites: we may be attracted by certain things irrespective of our experience or capabilities, and passion may develop around mastery of certain techniques as well. When both meet somehow, a miracle will occur. It is probably quite rare, and remarkable.

Seek your passion in what you master, and master what interests you. And find the sweet spot at the confluence. Do you see it?