We often hear the saying “follow your passion” when considering a career choice, but is this really the best advice? Should we really be following our passion? of course, following your bliss is an essential commitment if we want to have a fulfilling, happy life. For some people, what they love doing will make them lots of money, while for some others, it wouldn’t.
By this time last week, the internet was buzzing with popular Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji’s good news. She bought a house in the most 
expensive part of lagos, Nigeria. This really got people talking because she is only a blogger. Becoming a top blogger is NOT as easy as people may think it is. ‘Yes I’m speaking from experience“. One have to work very hard for it. However, the first question you need to ask yourself is; “Is blogging your passions? Do you see yourself blogging all day, at list 15 hours a day? no socialising, no parties, no clubbing etc? well that is the life of a full time blogger who wants to make it to the top in no time.
Money is a very powerful thing, it builds empires and breaks down kingdoms, it allows for dreams to come true and it takes others away, it makes some people happy and others completely miserable. However, this is inherently problematic as this mindset leads many people to stray down a path that doesn’t best suit them. When people choose their careers, they are sometimes blinded by money and so choose to follow the paper trail. Don’t jump on the bandwagon either simply because you see others jumping in. Instead, find what works for you, when you do, do it with passion, add in extra times if needed and develop new ideas and strategies that will make your passion shine. Behold, you can then enjoy like Linda, who discovered and is now leaving her dreams through passion.
No doubt Passion have different meaning for everyone. Most people are happy to follow their passion without expecting any rewards such as money, fame, praise in return, while others follow their passion for money, fame and much more. when you’re doing what you’re passionate about, it doesn’t feel like hard work, it feels exciting, juicy and life-affirming. But you can’t forget that you have to give it your all and that’s not easy. In Linda’s Ikeji’s case, she has been blogging since 2006, almost 10 years ago, so that tells you how long you might have to wait for your sun to rise.
Most people’s passions have little connection to work or education, meaning passionate travellers, dancers,readers etc run into problems. In a culture that tells people to transform their passions into lucrative careers can lead to workforce that suffers from endless job swapping and professional discontent. On the other hand, most people see their passion as a hobby and nothing else. Some people believe that following your passion can make you go broke majority of the time, yet again, this depends on what you’re passionate about.
To conclude my point, following your passion will lead you to your purpose, just like it might be the best advice to some people, it might not be to others. If you are in it for the money, as well as the fun, then get ready to work extra hard. If you’re in it for the joy and fulfilment, it brings you then commit and indulge in it as much as you can for happiness sake.
Written by: Noellin Imoh-Griffiths
