When it comes to career advice, the adage to “follow your passion” isn’t all that useful, and it can be misleading. If you’re looking to find a career that will matter to you, don’t just think about the things that come naturally to you, the things you love to do, or the things you’ve always excelled at. Instead, consider the activities that you return to time and time again—despite the fact that they are hard for you, or maybe even painful. Think of this approach as “following your blisters.” These probably aren’t the activities you’re the best at (yet)—they’re the ones that challenge you, frustrate you, and attract you all at once. Maybe it’s writing. Maybe it’s data analysis. Maybe it’s managing people. Whatever it is, if you follow your blisters, you’ll never be bored, and you’ll always be learning. And eventually, you’ll earn the calluses of an expert.
This tip is adapted from “What You Should Follow Instead of Your Passion,”by Dan Cable
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