This post was so valuable to me at this stage in my career. Before reading, I felt I was starting over from scratch, having left a secure position in education to pursue an unpredictable career as a spiritual life coach. Now, I see that I have many skills that carry over, more skills/modalities that I am curious to learn, and a career path that will lead to autonomy.
It makes me truly happy to know my post could provide value to you.
In reality, you never start from scratch again. Even if you "lose" everything, you still bring along your memories, experiences, skills and teachings along the way!
Interesting take. In my case, following my passion did work.
Since I was a child, I wanted to be a teacher. While other kids played with toys, I played "school" teaching my younger siblings and neighbors in front of an oversized blackboard. By the end of each day, my hands were covered in chalk. I felt such joy that I could feel energy radiating from my core, completely immersed in a state of flow.
That feeling never left me.
I've spent my entire life in education, teaching at every level, from primary school to PhD programs, and now working with corporate executives. My passion hasn’t decreased. It’s deepened. I’ve always felt competent in this work because it’s aligned with who I am. When I’m teaching or facilitating a learning experience, it’s as if the entire world disappears. Time vanishes. It’s just me, my learners, and the experience we create together.
Of course, I’ve acquired and honed my skills over the years and put in thousands of hours of practice. But I didn’t follow curiosity from the start. I followed a strong impulse that already lived within me. And to this day, it continues to guide and fulfill me.
Maybe not everyone feels such a clear inner pull, but for me, following it was the right path.
First of all, huge respect for following through and building a life around your true passion. That's rare and inspiring.
I would never suggest that someone ignore a strong inner calling. If you have that clarity, it's a gift. I just believe that most people don’t start with such a clear sense of what that is.
That’s why I think both approaches, following passion and following curiosity, have their place, depending on where someone is in their journey.
The world disappearing, time vanishing...I feel this about teaching, too! I think that I felt pigeon-holed in it, so I left the field. I still love the idea of teaching, but now I want to teach what I'm aligned with and curious about. For me now, that's spiritual healing and personal transformation. Thank you for putting words to my deep feeling.
I followed my passion in college and got a degree in English. No regrets! It shaped how I think, how I communicate, and how I see the world. But I've never had a job that directly connected to what I studied.
Your post really clicked for me in that context. I still love to read and write, and I probably always will. Maybe someday that will become my career.
But for now, I’m grateful I’ve built other skills along the way—ones I never expected to enjoy but have learned to love using. They may not have been where my passion started, but they’ve absolutely added value, purpose, and a kind of unexpected fulfillment.
This post was so valuable to me at this stage in my career. Before reading, I felt I was starting over from scratch, having left a secure position in education to pursue an unpredictable career as a spiritual life coach. Now, I see that I have many skills that carry over, more skills/modalities that I am curious to learn, and a career path that will lead to autonomy.
Thank you so much for your reply.
It makes me truly happy to know my post could provide value to you.
In reality, you never start from scratch again. Even if you "lose" everything, you still bring along your memories, experiences, skills and teachings along the way!
Interesting take. In my case, following my passion did work.
Since I was a child, I wanted to be a teacher. While other kids played with toys, I played "school" teaching my younger siblings and neighbors in front of an oversized blackboard. By the end of each day, my hands were covered in chalk. I felt such joy that I could feel energy radiating from my core, completely immersed in a state of flow.
That feeling never left me.
I've spent my entire life in education, teaching at every level, from primary school to PhD programs, and now working with corporate executives. My passion hasn’t decreased. It’s deepened. I’ve always felt competent in this work because it’s aligned with who I am. When I’m teaching or facilitating a learning experience, it’s as if the entire world disappears. Time vanishes. It’s just me, my learners, and the experience we create together.
Of course, I’ve acquired and honed my skills over the years and put in thousands of hours of practice. But I didn’t follow curiosity from the start. I followed a strong impulse that already lived within me. And to this day, it continues to guide and fulfill me.
Maybe not everyone feels such a clear inner pull, but for me, following it was the right path.
Hey Alma,
thank you so much for your thoughtful reply.
First of all, huge respect for following through and building a life around your true passion. That's rare and inspiring.
I would never suggest that someone ignore a strong inner calling. If you have that clarity, it's a gift. I just believe that most people don’t start with such a clear sense of what that is.
That’s why I think both approaches, following passion and following curiosity, have their place, depending on where someone is in their journey.
Thanks again for your comment. Have a good day!
The world disappearing, time vanishing...I feel this about teaching, too! I think that I felt pigeon-holed in it, so I left the field. I still love the idea of teaching, but now I want to teach what I'm aligned with and curious about. For me now, that's spiritual healing and personal transformation. Thank you for putting words to my deep feeling.
You are so good at this newsletter
Thank you, I appreciate it!
You are highly welcome
Controversial but very wise and informative article. Thanks for inspiring us 🙏
Thanks for your comment George!
Beautiful read, Tobi.
I love the angle with which you explain it.
I wrote something similar too about how "follow your passion" is misleading.
If you have a minute, check it out here.
https://open.substack.com/pub/becomingtheman/p/follow-your-passion-is-a-misleading?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5vp1jw
Thanks for your nice comment Oluyinka!
Excited to check it out.
I followed my passion in college and got a degree in English. No regrets! It shaped how I think, how I communicate, and how I see the world. But I've never had a job that directly connected to what I studied.
Your post really clicked for me in that context. I still love to read and write, and I probably always will. Maybe someday that will become my career.
But for now, I’m grateful I’ve built other skills along the way—ones I never expected to enjoy but have learned to love using. They may not have been where my passion started, but they’ve absolutely added value, purpose, and a kind of unexpected fulfillment.
In other words: you nailed it.
Hey!
That is amazing to hear. Thank you for sharing your story!
I appreciate your comment!
thank you so much! i needed this information to choose a career in university 💌💌
Thanks a lot for your comment!
I’m super glad I could help :)
im glad i got this information at the right time!! thank you!