Should you follow your passion?

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:19:34 -0500

Mike Rowe responded to a Facebook fan. http://freebeacon.com/culture/mike-rowe-on-following-your-passion/

Here's a excerpt: "One day, I brought home a sconce from woodshop that looked like a paramecium, and after a heavy sigh, my grandfather told me the truth. He explained that my life would be a lot more satisfying and productive if I got myself a different kind of toolbox. This was almost certainly the best advice I’ve ever received, but at the time, it was crushing. It felt contradictory to everything I knew about persistence, and the importance of “staying the course.” It felt like quitting. But here’s the “dirty truth,” Stephen. “Staying the course” only makes sense if you’re headed in a sensible direction. Because passion and persistence – while most often associated with success – are also essential ingredients of futility."

Some of the following I've paraphrased or quoted from reading/watching Mike Rowe:
"Never follow your passion, always bring it with you."
"Useful skill + willingness to work = Opportunity"

How can we apply this philosophy in the military?
Are happiness and passion always coincidental?

Mike Rowe on Following Your Passion

Mike Rowe has managed to capture the Internet's attention once again. Something he has made a habit of doing, according to Yellow Hammer. This time, his explanation of why he thinks

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 10:19 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:19:22 -0500

I agree with that 100%.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 10:23 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:23:24 -0500

Maj Private RallyPoint Member, I would say it's hard not to be passionate about serving one's country. The particular way we do that may be up for debate. I got in it, kept soldiering, and stepped off the active duty train 30 years later. I guess I did bring my passion along with me, so that part definitely rings true for me.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 29 at 2014 10:47 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:47:23 -0500

This is a great question. I think it depends on how much risk one is willing to take.

The greatest achievements in life (at least the ones that affect society the most) usually require staying the course without knowing how things will turn out, and possibly doing so for a very long time. For example, it's entrepreneurs who are chasing dreams into industries that don't exist yet, or politicians who nobody agrees with but hope to be proven right through some change in world events, or scientists who everybody else thinks is wasting their time but then make an amazing discovery that proves everybody else wrong, etc.

If somebody is willing to follow their passions and take on great risk, they stand to achieve much more than if they wouldn't, but they are also more likely to just fail.

In terms of your final question, I don't think that either happiness or passion is coincidental. Happiness has been shown to be much more a result of one's own state of mind, and much less a result of one's surroundings. In other words, people can have all the things they want in the world and be unhappy, or have almost nothing and be very happy. I hate to sound like some kind of monk, but I believe happiness can only really come from within... everything else is just fleeting moments of joy. Easier said than done though.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 29 at 2014 11:58 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 23:58:53 -0500

Maybe it is because I am old, but I think if you don't 'follow your passion', you will never be satisfied in life. My job as a Father and Husband, is to provide for my family. I think what Mr. Rowe is saying by 'bringing it with you' is to find what your passion is, cultivate it and it will be with you no matter where life takes you. My passion has always been designing mechanical things on the computer and building things out of wood. It challenges me both mentally and physically. It will be what I do when I am no longer serving in the United States Army. The civilian world is pretty scary right now, but I eagerly anticipate what awaits me...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 2:47 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 02:47:10 -0500

I've always been told there is no such thing as good luck. However, I have adapted it to fit my personal philosophy: Luck= opportunity meets preparation.
Your passion must have a means to an end. Does it provide sustenance, a purpose, a meaningful existence? Does it make you happy? I have seen people chase their passion, a hobby, a degree that will get them no where. It may make them happy, but you'll lose your house. You can't provide for a family majoring in German, or having a second degree in theater. I guess there are always exceptions, and you don't have to have a degree to be successful or wealthy....but it helps.