Combining Passions to Find Your “Thing”

QUESTION

Joey, I’m a 37-year-old Brazilian living in New Zealand. I’ve been a Software Developer since 2009.

For the past few years, I’ve been struggling to stay passionate and focused in my daily job. I enjoy (much more) reading books, drawing, making collages, journaling, surfing, and doing Jiu-jitsu.

For years, I’ve been thinking: How can I merge my passions to build something that will keep me inspired, focused, motivated—and also pay the bills. Do you have any tips on how I can find this thing?

—Alexandre

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ANSWER

Alexandre, I’ve been where you are and I have experience in exploring the same problem.

In my early twenties, I figured out that my passions lie in telling stories, exploring interesting ideas, and making things. It wasn’t long before I asked myself the same question you’re asking:

How do I make a living from the things I love?

Well, I tried—unsuccessfully—four times over just as many years. I built four startups in various industries (some alone, others with partners), but they either didn’t do that well or left me wanting. The fifth attempt finally stuck: Baronfig. That was ten years ago.

While I can’t tell you what your answer is, I can suggest how to get there: keep trying. I know it’s not the most ground-breaking suggestion, but it’s true. Don’t just imagine what you could do—actually go ahead and do it.

The trick is: don’t attempt to do something right—just go and do something.

Combine some or all of the passions you listed into a project (anything!) and see where it takes you. You won’t get it right out of the gate, but you’ll learn from your experience, and the next attempt will get you that much closer.

Additionally, don’t forget to leverage the skills you have even if they aren’t the most exciting to you; in your case, software development. Even though you aren’t passionate about it, you’d be surprised how much you enjoy something when it serves your greater interests.

In closing, I leave you with the Law of Specificity from The Laws of Creativity:

Make for yourself and you will appeal to many. Make for many and you will appeal to none.

Go for it.

—Joey

Creator of Baronfig
Author of The Laws of Creativity

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right.” —Henry Ford // Pictured here in his very first car, which was really more like a small gas-powered wagon.