Passion for Work?

A recent NPR article cited a book by a sociologist, Erin A. Cech, who deeply questions the adage: only pursue work that you are passionate about. 

In contrast with the postwar 40’s and 50’s where stability was the key concept, prioritizing passion in job searches was rooted in the quest for self-expression that was the cultural hallmark of the 70’s,80’s and 90’s. This world view was additionally fueled by an increasingly unstable job market, with labor being outsourced overseas, and gig economy on the rise. 

Now, following your passion has become a romantic ideal, but it may not always serve the health and well-being of employees or employers. People driven by passion at work will often work harder, and devote longer hours to their job, without any increase in compensation, leading to resentment, burn-out and ultimately resignation. Has this been your experience or anyone you know?

Not being wildly passionate about your job does not mean that you do not find satisfaction with your work, or that you don’t perform it extremely well. It simply means that your career is not necessarily the one source of all  excitement in your life. When you don’t funnel all your passion towards your career, you have time, attention and energy to diversify what Cech names as your “meaning-making portfolio” and live what may ultimately be a more balanced and satisfying life. What do you think about that?