The Dirty Truth About Following Your Passion

When it comes to career advice, there are two things that can be said with absolute certainty: congratulations and good luck. Everything else is what can be referred to as the “dirty truth,” which is just another way of saying it’s someone’s opinion. In this case, the dirty truth is that the advice to “follow your passion” is not always the best approach.

The Problem with Following Your Passion

The idea that following your passion will lead to success and happiness is a common myth. While it’s true that passion can be an important factor in career satisfaction, it’s not the only consideration. In fact, following your passion without considering other factors can lead to disappointment and frustration. For example, just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean you’ll be good at it, and just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you’ll be passionate about it.

The Importance of Skill and Opportunity

When it comes to making a living, it’s essential to consider the skills and opportunities that are available. Having a degree or diploma in a particular field doesn’t guarantee success, and following your passion without considering the job market can lead to disappointment. In fact, there are currently millions of jobs that are going unfilled because people are not trained to do them. This is known as the “skills gap,” and it’s a major problem in the current job market.

The Alternative to Following Your Passion

So, what’s the alternative to following your passion? Consider exploring careers that offer a legitimate chance to perform meaningful work and develop a genuine passion for the job you already have. This approach may not be as glamorous as following your passion, but it can lead to greater satisfaction and success in the long run. Additionally, happiness on the job has very little to do with the work itself, but rather with the opportunities and challenges that it provides.

Real-Life Examples

There are many examples of people who have found success and happiness by following opportunity rather than passion. For example, a successful septic tank cleaner who became a multi-millionaire by going against the crowd and pursuing a career that others might find unglamorous. Similarly, skilled tradesmen such as welders, plumbers, and carpenters have found success and happiness by pursuing careers that are in high demand and offer a sense of fulfillment.

The Final Dirty Truth

The final dirty truth is that you should never follow your passion, but always bring it with you. This means being open to new opportunities and challenges, and being willing to adapt and learn as you go. By taking this approach, you can find success and happiness in your career, even if it’s not in a field that you’re passionate about. Congratulations again, and good luck!

Consider exploring careers that offer a legitimate chance to perform meaningful work
Develop a genuine passion for the job you already have
Be open to new opportunities and challenges
Be willing to adapt and learn as you go

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Passion	A strong and barely controllable emotion, or a strong enthusiasm for something.	Following your passion for music might lead you to become a musician.
Skills Gap	A mismatch between the skills that workers have and the skills that employers need.	The skills gap in the technology industry is a major concern for companies looking to hire qualified employees.
Career Satisfaction	The feeling of fulfillment and happiness that comes from one’s job or career.	Career satisfaction can be achieved by finding a job that aligns with your values and passions.
Opportunity	A chance or situation that allows someone to do something or to achieve something.	The company’s expansion created new opportunities for employees to advance in their careers.
Meaningful Work	Work that has a sense of purpose and contributes to the greater good.	Many people find meaningful work in careers such as teaching, nursing, and social work.
Dirty Truth	An unpleasant or unpalatable fact that is often hidden or avoided.	The dirty truth about the job market is that many graduates struggle to find employment in their field.
Skilled Trades	Jobs that require specialized training and skills, such as welding, plumbing, and carpentry.	Skilled trades are in high demand and can provide a sense of fulfillment and good compensation.
Adaptability	The ability to adjust to new or changing situations.	In today’s fast-paced job market, adaptability is a key skill for success and career advancement.
Job Market	The demand and supply of labor in a particular industry or economy.	Understanding the job market is crucial for making informed decisions about education and career choices.

Don’t Follow Your Passion | 5 Minute Video 🎓

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Don’t Follow Your Passion | 5 Minute Video

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the phrase “dirty truth” refer to in the context of career advice?

A) A proven fact about career success
B) A common myth about following one’s passion
C) Someone’s opinion on what works best
D) A guaranteed formula for happiness

2. According to the text, what can happen if you follow your passion without considering other factors?

A) You will definitely find success and happiness
B) You will become an expert in your field immediately
C) You may experience disappointment and frustration
D) You will have no challenges in your career

3. What is the “skills gap” mentioned in the text?

A) A lack of passion among workers
B) A shortage of jobs in the market
C) A mismatch between available skills and job requirements
D) An abundance of untrained workers

4. What alternative approach to following one’s passion is suggested in the text?

A) Immediately switching to a new career
B) Considering careers that offer meaningful work and developing a passion for your current job
C) Only pursuing jobs that are in high demand
D) Never adapting or learning new things

5. What does the text suggest is more important than the work itself for job happiness?

A) The salary and benefits
B) The opportunities and challenges provided by the job
C) The prestige and recognition of the job
D) The length of the commute

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Modal Verbs for Advice and Certainty

Modal verbs such as “can,” “should,” and “will” are used to express degrees of certainty, ability, and advice. In the context of career advice, these verbs play a crucial role in conveying nuanced messages. For instance, “can be said with absolute certainty” indicates a high degree of confidence, while “should never follow your passion” offers strong advice against a particular action. Understanding how to use these modal verbs effectively is essential for clear and persuasive communication, especially at the CEFR C1 level, where expressing subtle shades of meaning is critical. Examples from the text, such as “you should never follow your passion, but always bring it with you,” demonstrate how modal verbs are used to give advice and express certainty about outcomes.

Grammar Quiz:

1. Which of the following sentences best expresses a strong recommendation against an action, similar to “you should never follow your passion”?

a) If you want to be happy, you might consider finding a job you love.
b) You ought to think carefully before making a career choice.
c) You should avoid following your passion without considering other factors.
d) Following your passion could potentially lead to happiness.

2. The phrase “can be said with absolute certainty” implies that:

a) There is some doubt about the statement’s truth.
b) The statement is based on opinion rather than fact.
c) The statement is true without any doubt.
d) The situation is uncertain and may change.

3. Which modal verb is used in the sentence “Having a degree or diploma in a particular field doesn’t guarantee success” to indicate a lack of certainty about the outcome?

a) Will
b) Should
c) Can
d) Does

4. The sentence “you can find success and happiness in your career” uses the modal verb “can” to express:

a) A high degree of certainty about finding success.
b) Ability or possibility of achieving success.
c) Obligation or necessity to find success.
d) A recommendation or advice to find success.

5. In the sentence “consider exploring careers that offer a legitimate chance to perform meaningful work,” the verb “consider” is used similarly to a modal verb to:

a) Express a strong obligation to explore careers.
b) Offer a suggestion or advice to explore careers.
c) Indicate a high degree of certainty about the outcome of exploring careers.
d) Imply a lack of interest in exploring careers.

Answer Key:

1. c) You should avoid following your passion without considering other factors.

2. c) The statement is true without any doubt.

3. None of the above, the sentence actually uses “doesn’t guarantee” to indicate a lack of certainty.

4. b) Ability or possibility of achieving success.

5. b) Offer a suggestion or advice to explore careers.