passion, talent, and purpose can coexist
“Don’t follow your passion. Follow your talent and find your purpose.”
-Adam Grant
Usually, when I share a quote to start a Daily Note, it’s because I like it, agree with it, or think it might speak to you.
This is not one of those quotes.
This quote triggers me because I think it leads more people further from their Authentic Life than it helps. I think this quote, which I saw on Twitter, can become so influential because of who said it.
Adam Grant is an extremely successful author and an organizational psychology professor at the Wharton School at Penn, and it’s the bestselling author title that gives his words so much weight.
As a reader of the Daily Notes, you should know that I believe passion is a powerful guide that helps us move closer to our Authentic Self and Life. It is through our passions that the Divine guides us towards our unique gifts and talents that we are supposed to be bringing to the world.
We are supposed to follow our passions.
Following your passion doesn’t mean making irresponsible decisions with your life choices and finances. It is possible, and advisable, to begin following your passions in small ways and allowing them to grow into larger parts of your life, if they are supposed to.
Following your passion doesn’t mean it has to become your career. Your passions may be something that you do in your free time that makes your career tolerable as a means to an end to fund your passions.
Following your passion doesn’t mean you are operating out of alignment with your talent. I’m pretty confident your unique gifts and talents connect to your passion—although there is a difference between talent and unique talent.
If I use my Self as an example, I grew up with talent for basketball, which I shared with a lot of people. My level of talent let me play Division III basketball, but it wasn’t unique enough to get me into the NBA. My creativity, my ability to connect with other individuals, see their potential, and glimpse their Authentic Lives, my energy, and my ability to guide people to their Authentic Self and Lives are a unique talent that no one can combine in the same way I can. My passions are aligned with these unique gifts and talents, and my purpose is realized by using them.
Now, I’m not arrogant enough to say that I know I am right, but I have a ton of personal experience, work with clients, and observations of others to know that FOR SOME PEOPLE, passions will act as a guide to their Authentic Life and ultimately, their purpose.
Passion, talent, and purpose can all exist at the same time—even if bestselling authors tell you they can’t.
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
🦅 Some ways I might be able to help you live your authentic life:
🤝 One-on-Ones Let's hop on Zoom to do a guided meditation, a creative brainstorming session, or an overcoming an obstacle session.
💸 AlignedLife+ A unique relationship offered at Santiago that combines life planning, financial planning and advice, and ongoing coaching to help you discover your authentic life, design a plan to bring that life to your reality, and support to help you evolve with the evolution of your authentic life. Learn more here.
