Is Passion Discovered or Created?

Passion has been a recurring theme so far in my interviews for Create the Map as I explore how people have ended up pursuing their own paths in life.  While some people seem to have an easy time knowing what their passion is, I know many who have a tough time with it.  Some have trouble identifying anything they’re passionate about enough to devote their whole being to while others have a tough time choosing among multiple passions.

To provide some context for this conversation, I’d recommend you start by reading Greg Hartle’s piece from August 14^th on Ten Dollars and a Laptop.  It’s called “Follow Your Passion and The Money Will Follow is Bullsh*t.” Greg makes a compelling argument that it’s dangerous to think that life is as simple as just following your passion; yes, passion is an ingredient, but it isn’t the only important factor.  He outlines a thoughtful way of analyzing new business ideas that involves a comprehensive look at the intersection of what you do well, what you want to do, and what you can be paid to do.

I’ve always advocated living your life with passion and finding work that allows you to unleash your passion.  Many of us spend 40+ hours each week working, and it’s a missed opportunity if we aren’t able to devote that time on work that’s aligned with our passion.  However, I’ve never known exactly how to discover your singular passion in life, and it’s partly because I fall in the camp of those who have numerous passions – perhaps too many.  The question that’s been on my mind lately is whether passion is discovered or created.

Defining Passion

Merriam Webster defines passion as

1. Ardent affection.
2. A strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.
3. An object of desire or deep interest.

Passion & Meaning

To try to answer the question of whether passion is discovered or created, I want to draw a parallel to a concept similar to passion – meaning.  When I was younger, I believed that meaning was discovered, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to believe that meaning is both discovered and created.

I believe it’s very similar with passion, that it’s partly discovered and partly created.  Passion is such a broad topic though that it can be hard to pinpoint; you can be passionate about a particular career, a hobby, a cause, an idea, etc.  Here’s what I believe about passion in more detail:

You Discover Your Passions by Trying Things and Reflecting on Experience

An important step in figuring out what you’re passionate about is to live a rich life and to be open to exploring and experiencing new things.  Step outside your comfort zone.  You can’t discover your passion simply by reading and writing; it requires action and experience.  But it does take more than just action and experience; it also takes reflection and thought.  Some of your passions you won’t really know until you encounter them.  At a young age, I discovered a passion for photography.  This grew through the years into a passion for filmmaking as well.  At its core, it’s really a passion for visual storytelling.  As my intellectual capacity has grown, so too has my understanding of that passion grown.  Had I never picked up a camera or made a movie, I may never have fully understood the passion I have for visual storytelling.

You’re Hard-Wired with a Predisposition Toward Certain Passions

I believe that we’re instilled with a predisposition toward certain passions based on our genes.  (But this is only part of the picture.)  For whatever reason, I believe some people have it in their DNA to love one thing and dislike another.  We also know there are all kinds of different learning styles.  Some learn better through visuals; others are aural learners.  If you’re a visual learner who best comprehends the world visually, then you’re probably more inclined to be passionate about photography over writing.

Passion is Complex and Involves Your Values, Your Beliefs, Your Worldview

You’re most likely to be passionate about what you find meaningful in the world.  This requires you to make a judgment on what you see as meaningful.  Understanding your passion involves understanding your values, your beliefs, and your worldview.  It’s hard sometimes though to know whether our passions are truly our own or if they’ve been given to us from other people we’re subconsciously trying to please or satisfy.  For example, I have a passion for people and for helping people, and I believe this partly grew out of my upbringing and the strong emphasis my parents placed on helping others and caring about others.

Passion is Fluid

I believe you can develop a passion for something even if you aren’t passionate about it now.  I also believe you can lose passion for something you’re passionate about now.  Passion is fluid and evolves as you change and grow.  What you are passionate about today, you might not be so passionate about tomorrow.  However, if you recognize certain passions that have remained pretty consistent through the years, then it’s likely these are the passions you should pay close attention to for guidance on what to do and where to go in life.  I also believe it’s possible to develop a passion for something if you really want to.  It’s also possible that something you find boring or meaningless today could become a real passion of yours in a few weeks, months, or years.

The Bottom Line

Passion is powerful, and I hope you’re doing something on a regular basis that draws upon your passion.  I think you probably have more influence over what you’re passionate about than you think.  If you’re doing something that feels meaningful in the world, then I hope you can find passion for it even if you don’t feel the passion today. Among the broad spectrum of things you are passionate about or could be passionate about, I hope you’re intentional and choose to develop the passions that share your unique gifts and talents with the world.

What Do You Think?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below on (a) whether you think passion is discovered or created, (b) what you’re passionate about, and (c) how you’ve discovered and/or created your passion(s).  I’m here to learn just as much from you as I hope you learn from Create the Map.

*About the Photo Above: My fiancee Erin took this picture of me on August 27, 2010 after the climb to the top of Warren Dunes in southwest Michigan.

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