Why ‘Follow Your Passion’ Is Bad Advice — And What to Do Instead

Have you ever been told to “follow your passion” and everything else will fall into place?

We live in a world that romanticizes the idea of chasing our dreams without compromise. The mantra “follow your passion” is plastered across motivational posters, echoed in graduation speeches, and ingrained in our cultural psyche. It’s a feel-good slogan that promises fulfillment and success if only we muster the courage to pursue what sets our hearts on fire.

But what if this well-intentioned advice is actually doing more harm than good?

Person standing at a crossroads

The Allure of Passion

It’s easy to see why “follow your passion” is such appealing advice. It suggests that if we just find that one thing we’re truly passionate about, we’ll unlock the door to happiness, success, and purpose. It’s a simple formula: Passion equals purpose equals success.

This advice taps into our desire for individuality and self-expression. In a world where we often feel like cogs in a machine, following our passion seems like the ultimate act of rebellion and self-actualization.

But life is rarely that straightforward.

The Problem with Passion