We’re excited to share that, after a ton of requests from you all, we’re thinking about launching a membership (a premium content, if you will). But we need your help to make sure it’s something you’ll truly love.

We’ve put together a quick survey to gather your ideas and feedback, and we’d really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Your input will help us shape the membership, so it offers exactly what you’re looking for.

Please help by filling out THIS SURVEY. Thanks so much for being part of this journey with us!

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Something wise

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The standard advice for building a great career is to “follow your passion.”

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Some more insightful thinkers have pointed out that the better strategy is to follow your curiosity.

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Because curiosity is a more reliable barometer of value. And because it usually precedes passion.

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But whether you follow your passion or your curiosity, you can’t avoid one uncomfortable truth.
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Your passion is not enough to guarantee success.

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It might get you closer to success.

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It might put you on a more authentic path.
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It might help you find the motivation to stick with that path.
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All of which are important.
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But contrary to a LOT of advice out there, simply offering your innate talents and personal passions to the world will NOT guarantee external success.

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I’m talking primarily about income here. But I’m also talking about opportunities, status, reputation, and so on.

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If you want those things — and it’s great to want those things, as long as you want them for the right reasons — then “follow your passion!” is incomplete at best and dangerous at worst.
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The better advice is: Offer something people actually need.

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Then work backward to the things you’re actually passionate about.
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Where the world’s problems/needs/opportunities overlap with your interest/curiosity/talent — that’s your sweet spot.

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If you want to build a successful career — whether it’s developing an expertise in your company, starting a side hustle or building a business of your own — you have to approach things in this order.

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The world first.
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Then your passion.

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This doesn’t just apply to your career, by the way. This also applies to your relationships.​
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If you only offer someone the ideas, words and experiences you’re excited about, that relationship probably won’t thrive.
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But if you identify the ideas/words/experiences a person needs — and then work backward to your unique way of offering them — then that relationship can only flourish.

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So if you’re trying to find more fulfilling and lucrative work — or more meaningful and high-functioning relationships — ask yourself a few questions.

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What are the problems/gaps/pain points in the industry/market/relationship I’m exploring?

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What do customers/friends/loved ones actually need from me right now?
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How can I solve a concrete problem for someone that also lights me up?

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It might take you some time to answer those questions, but that’s always time well spent.

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And if you’re interested in hearing how this idea played out in a listener’s life…

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Check out episode #1,012, where we heard from two different listeners in the adoption and foster-care world who were exploring entrepreneurial ideas.
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Both were struggling to commit to their ideas, and wondering how to follow their passions to a successful venture.

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These were great case studies in the risks and opportunities of following your excitement, so I invite you to come learn from them.
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Have you found this principle to be true in your world? Struggling to make use of it?

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Hit reply and tell me about it. I’m all ears!

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On the show this past week

​1035: James Sexton | A Divorce Lawyer’s Guide to Lasting Love Part One​

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​1036: James Sexton | A Divorce Lawyer’s Guide to Lasting Love Part Two​

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​1037: Allure of Abuser Only Serves to Confuse Her | Feedback Friday​

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​1038: Gold | Skeptical Sunday​

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