How often have you heard the advice to "follow your passion" or "chase your dreams"? It sounds great, doesn't it? But let's unpack the reality behind the allure of amazing, cool jobs.
The Glamorous Illusion
Take rock 'n' roll stars, for example. How many bands genuinely make an amazing living? Is it 5%? Or is it closer to 1%? In a world of over 7 billion people, the number of truly successful bands and singers can be counted on the fingers of a few hands—maybe a hundred people, max. The same harsh reality applies to acting. To make Tom Cruise money, you need to be extraordinarily talented. Notice how it's the same group of 100 or 200 actors who dominate top-grossing movies? Most actors struggle to pay rent, lack health insurance, and scrape by to keep food on the table.
The Cool Career Illusion
Now, let’s shift our focus to "cool" careers like being an influencer. Imagine you're a travel blogger with 5 million followers. Companies like Emirates, Marriott, and Avis are bending over backwards to comp you first-class airline tickets, exclusive beach resort rooms, and a week’s free rental on a Ferrari. You get paid to travel, and who doesn’t love traveling?
Most people include travel in their top three things to do if they win the lottery. Traveling is cool—you get to visit exotic places, meet interesting people, and sip cocktails by infinity pools overlooking breathtaking landscapes.
But what does it take to become this kind of influencer? You need to be exceptional. Sure, billions of people might potentially watch your cool videos, but everyone is chasing the same dream of easy money as an influencer. Those who make top-tier earnings are like Olympic gold medalists. Not many people get to stand on the top podium every four years while millions watch them on television.
The Odds and Realities
The odds of making an amazing living while following your passion are slim. Let’s be realistic about your chances. If you’re 160 cm tall, you’re unlikely to play for the Chicago Bulls. If you’re shooting 75s at the age of 16, making it into the PGA is improbable. If you struggle to get the lead part in your school play, a Hollywood career is likely beyond your reach.
We live in a competitive world filled with free advice that can lead you on wild goose chases, raising your expectations and setting you up for crushing failure. Maybe we need to be more realistic with our expectations. It might not be the end of the world to get a mid-level job in a large corporation working in logistics and supply chain. That job might give you the skills and contacts over five years to set up your own logistics business.
A Noble Goal: Embracing Simplicity
Maybe you don't marry the prettiest girl at the prom but instead settle for a quiet suburban life with a girl you liked in university who thought you were great. She might not be drop-dead gorgeous, but she has solid self-esteem and a strong sense of self. Maybe a simple and quiet life is a noble goal, and we shouldn’t look down on it.
In conclusion, while following your passion is a beautiful notion, it’s crucial to balance dreams with realism. Strive for your goals, but also embrace the virtues of a stable, fulfilling life that might not be glamorous but is rich in its own way. The quiet dignity of a life well-lived, with meaningful relationships and steady accomplishments, is a worthy pursuit.
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