Chapter 1: The Fallacy of "Do What You Love"

The phrase "do what you love" has become a widely accepted mantra, resonating with many and making dissent seem almost sacrilegious. However, I find myself questioning this advice to some extent.

Before delving into my critique, it’s important to clarify that "love," in its truest sense, pertains to people or living beings. The feelings we harbor for our work or hobbies are better captured by the term "enjoyment." We may love our families and friends, but we merely enjoy activities like writing, gardening, or coding. Thus, love and enjoyment are distinct experiences.

Let’s not get bogged down in semantics; we can apply the term "love" to our pursuits for the sake of discussion. My contention is that the advice to "do what you love" is not universally applicable. While it may be beneficial for some, it can be detrimental for others. This guidance often assumes that "love" is a constant state—what we cherish today will remain unchanged indefinitely—and that we lack control over our feelings. In reality, love, even for people, often fluctuates (as indicated by a national divorce rate of around 50%).

Loving someone or something arises from a complex interplay of emotions. It’s not an inherent quality; we can fall out of love just as easily as we can fall in. In our professional lives, we can learn to appreciate or lose interest in any task. Thus, what you cherish today may not hold the same significance five years from now.

"Do what you love" serves as both career advice and a form of therapy, but like any recommendation, it carries potential drawbacks and requires careful consideration.

To illustrate, consider the investment management sector, where I worked for several years. The investment portfolio for a 57-year-old family man with a mortgage and children in college will differ significantly from that of a 24-year-old recent graduate embarking on their career. Their risk profiles and financial situations are not interchangeable.

This principle applies equally to the "do what you love" advice. Prior to offering or heeding such guidance, several essential questions should be addressed:

1. What is the likelihood of succeeding in the market related to this passion?
2. If failure occurs, what ramifications might it have on dependents (children, spouse, etc.)?
3. What are the chances of bouncing back from any setbacks?

As you contemplate whether to abandon your current path for something you love, consider these recommendations:

1. Assess the Market Potential: Understanding the market dynamics surrounding your passion is crucial. If your interests align with high-demand fields like brain surgery or software development, you are likely to find it easier to earn a living than if your passion lies in writing or the arts. Recognizing these realities is vital.
2. Diversify Your Interests: As mentioned, it is possible to learn to appreciate various activities. Negative experiences can foster a dislike for certain subjects, but with time and effort, you can transform that perspective. If your current passion lacks marketability, explore new skills that you can grow to enjoy. Create a list of in-demand skills and identify which ones you could cultivate an interest in.
3. Embrace Lifelong Learning: Pursuing lifelong learning is about more than just maintaining existing skills. It encompasses the joy of acquiring new abilities. Regularly learning new skills not only broadens your repertoire of interests but also enhances your chances of discovering something you truly love, allowing you to embrace the notion of never working a day in your life.

In "The Perils of Following Your Career Passion," Adam Grant discusses the potential pitfalls of adhering strictly to the idea of following one's passion. He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced approach to career choices.

Sherry Ma's TEDx talk, "Do what you love, Love what you do," explores the importance of aligning passions with practical considerations in the pursuit of a fulfilling career.