
TED Talks Daily Sunday Pick: The perils of following your career passion
Apr 28, 2024
Maria Konnikova, a talented writer and psychologist known for her insights into chance and her poker prowess, discusses the pitfalls of the advice to 'follow your passion.' She delves into the struggles of identifying true passions and how childhood interests often clash with adult careers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and skill development over mere passion. Maria highlights the evolving nature of passions and the need for realistic career planning in today's fast-changing job landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bad Career Advice
- "Follow your passion" is bad career advice.
- Focus on jobs where you'll learn and grow your passion over time.
Maria Konnikova's Career Journey
- Maria Konnikova's early passion for writing didn't lead to immediate success.
- She worked various jobs, struggling before finding her path.
Passion's Pitfalls
- Searching for a perfect career fit can be agonizing and lead to confusion.
- Following one passion can create tunnel vision, limiting exploration of other interests.

