Forget “Find Your Passion” — Here’s What Really Matters

We’ve all heard the phrase:

“Find your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

It sounds inspiring — but the truth is, passion, interest, and skill are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between them can be a game-changer when it comes to career clarity and discovering a path that really fits who you are.

What Is Passion

Passion is what excites you deeply. It’s what gives you energy, joy, and a sense of purpose. Your passion is often tied to things you love doing, sometimes without even realizing it.

Examples: Playing an instrument, dancing, writing stories, or creating art.

Important: Passion doesn’t always have to be your career. You can have passions that fuel you outside of work, while your career focuses on skills and interests that help you grow professionally.

What Is Interest 👀

Interest is what sparks your curiosity. It’s what draws you in and makes you want to learn more — even if you’re not an expert yet. Interests are the starting point for exploring new possibilities and discovering what truly engages you.

Examples: Psychology, design, technology, or entrepreneurship.

Tip: Interests can develop into passions over time. What starts as curiosity can turn into a source of energy and motivation when you invest in it consistently.

What Is Skill

Skills are what you’re good at. They are developed through practice, learning, or natural talent. Skills allow you to add value in a career and often cross over into different industries.

Examples: Problem-solving, communication, project management, or creative thinking.

Note: A skill doesn’t need to be something you love initially — you can apply it in ways that eventually spark interest or even passion.

Finding Clarity: The Overlap

The real clarity comes when you understand how passion, interest, and skill interact:

• Passion gives you energy and motivation.

• Interest points you toward areas worth exploring.

• Skill is where you can contribute and create impact.

You don’t need all three perfectly aligned to start your career. Many people begin with a combination of interest and skill, and passion grows as they gain experience, confidence, and insight into what truly drives them.

Why This Matters for Your Career

When you understand the difference between passion, interest, and skill, it becomes easier to make career decisions that feel aligned with your personality and values. You stop chasing a vague idea of “passion” and start noticing your own strengths, curiosity, and natural talents — your personal “dots.” Connecting these dots helps you create a career path that actually fits you.

Where Are You Right Now?

• Do you have a passion you’re unsure how to turn into work?

• Do you have an interest you want to explore further?

• Do you have a skill you’d like to use in new ways?

Understanding where you are is the first step toward clarity. And if you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, that’s exactly what I help young professionals and career changers with.

I guide people to notice their own “dots” — strengths, values, and motivations — and connect them into a career path that fits who they are, not what they think they should be. The sooner you start connecting your dots, the sooner you’ll find a direction that energizes and motivates you.

A recent graduate exploring job opportunities online.

Connect the dots of what excites you, what interests you, and what you’re good at.