Let’s begin with a crucial question: Are you solving the problem that genuinely needs to be solved, or merely the problem you love to solve?
The answer to this question lies at the foundation of every invention and every meaningful action in the world.
Another important question is: Does the world receive what it truly needs to become better, or merely what we prefer to give it?
According to Marianne Williamson, “In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”
You are a vital contributor to the improvement of our world, and there is no better way to fulfill that responsibility than by living in a way that truly makes the world better through what you do.
This is why the popular advice “follow your passion” might be one of the most misleading ideas of our time. If you truly care about your purpose—the core of your existence and its fulfillment—then passion should never be your primary motivation.
Passion, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement, or a devotion to an activity, object, or concept.
But if passion is merely enthusiasm or excitement, then what can we say truly drove Nelson Mandela?
Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa, spent 27 years in prison for political offenses, including sabotage. Throughout his imprisonment, he continued to raise his voice for freedom—particularly the political rights of the Black majority. In 1985, President P. W. Botha offered him release in exchange for renouncing armed struggle; Mandela firmly rejected the offer. His autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, reveals the depth of sacrifice that paved the path to justice in his nation.
If you desire to be among those who shape the course of good in the world, do not expect excitement or enthusiasm to sustain you. Passion alone cannot carry you through adversity.
To simply “follow your passion” is not enough. You must find a purpose—a real problem that needs a solution—and commit yourself to it.
Interestingly, many highly profitable businesses are not built from passion alone. Passion has its place in any pursuit, but purpose is what keeps you going when passion fades.
Mandela was driven by a vision. As he persisted, passion grew—not from excitement, but from conviction.
Your passion is valuable, but relying solely on it to determine your profession or life’s direction may be the worst advice you could follow. Let purpose and vision guide you as you walk through life’s stages, from one chapter to the next.
