[superiorClimber]

You are talking about a degree you have to pay for...correct? You could be passionate about making art out of toenail clippings, but that isn't exactly something you can earn your money back on.
At the end of the day, you go for a degree in order to land a job after you've completed studies. There's a whole generation of people who have taken out big student loans to get a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science or English, and left struggling to find relevant work to get out of that debt after. Statistically, they are literally no better off with those degrees than if they never went to university.

I've got to agree with nola on this - If you aren't going for something in the STEM fields, you'd be better spending that money on starting your own business or getting some kind of technical certificate. Hell, you can even go pay someone working in a field to teach you directly - what used to just be "apprenticeship". I tried to convince an American friend who wanted to study furniture making at an "art school" that he'd have more success getting on a plane and going to Italy to work in a furniture workshop for free. He would have spent a lot less just covering rent and food for a few years, and would actually have achieved some real experience. He got all beta and couldn't nut-up to do it, but I would offer similar advice to anyone else looking to go into the arts.

You will always be able to pursue your passions after the rent and bills are paid.

[Philosopher]

Definitely choose money. STEM to be precise, yes your life will suck in thr beginning as you are learning, but once you have solid earnings, you can find spare time to peruse your passions. For example, record a history podcast on the weekends, write a book while in a coffeeshop, travel during vacations. Following your passions will result in a more difficult life with a lower probability of success.

[ChefAllDay]

I retired at 43 and I can't agree more with the majority of the previous posts. Reserve passion for your past times and hobbies. Choose cash and retirement benefits of your likes and desires.

If you make your passion your work, you will grow to resent it. That's a fact.

Bring in the coin, and prepare for the future.

[godfather dust]

It depends what you are passionate about (for example, if you are passionate about building shit fantastic career path.)

I'm passionate about music, work on stuff every day, but shortly after my teenage years I realized the failure rate in the field is around 99% so I learned various blue collar skills from men in my family and have taken the best opportunities that present themselves.

If I had to survive off music I would 1. Probably be putting guns to people's heads because it doesn't pay the bills 2. Hate music

As it stands I make money DJing 1-2 times a month and get some paid production work but I'd enjoy it if I didn't make a dime as well.

There's a good Mike Rowe prageru video (already posted I think)

[tobehero]

I don't agree if you make your passion your work, you will resent it.

That's just finding out if wasn't your passion in the first place.

[Fortis]

My view on the passion discussion mostly boils down to my observations.

If you're truly passionate about something you'll probably end up doing it. My mother was really passionate about design but did sales for 10 years, then found that she could actually make more money selling "design" than should do doing sales or design separately. I think it's important to go out into the world and get a practical base but always keep your heart on your passions. I think the real "money printing" secret is when you're able to fuse real-world sensibilities with passions you have.

I have a friend, a much older guy, based in China who is a bodybuilding coach. He was alway passionate about fitness but always worked in other industries to pay the pills while he was sharpening his axe. When the economic downturn occured in europe he jumped ship to china and found that there was a burgeoning bodybuilding scene full of guys willing to do the work but who didn't have professional coaching. his previous careers gifted him with the skills so that he's now able to position himself well and get clients. He gets flown all around mainland china giving seminars, training rich dudes and hanging out with hot fitness model girls.

Just because you aren't working in your passion now doesn't mean you can't pivot in that direction down the line. That said, I still do think that it's important to build a practical base so that you have those basic skills like sales, marketing and other things that are vital if you wanna really be in business for yourself.

Personally: I've always enjoyed writing but it's only been recently that I've been able to make a meager profit off my writing. That said, I really treasure the experience and I'm sure I'll get to do it more and more as I improve.

I recently started doing a writing project with a friend. He's doing the art, I'm doing the writing. It's sorta surreal seeing someone else's interpretation of some words you wrote. He sent me some photos of some panels and drawings and it's looking cool. I'm not sure if we'll make a cent off of it, but it's fun and I'd do it for free anyway and gladly spend my own money to make it happen.

My point is just that, however people might frame it, the time you spend learning how to do any job is not wasted time until you choose to treat it that way. I've had jobs that I absolutely hated but learned a lot from. I did management for a period of time and fucking hated it. It's not for me at all, but I think I took a lot from it looking back. There are certain situations I handle a lot better since I used to get roasted on a daily basis by angry customers.

[tobehero]

I suppose I see where you're coming from - you reach a certain point and it no longer motivates you , done all you can in an area. then you find something else to do. that i get and have experienced.

[Fortis]

Although, I don't think you should get a degree in a passion UNLESS you know it's gonna pay.

Let's say you get a degree in sculpture from a private university. That's like $40,000 a year for a 4-year degree that won't pay you anywhere near $40,000 entry level. At that point, you're putting yourself in debt for something that won't pay off. That's not a matter of passion vs work, that's just a matter of spending your money properly.

If you are really passionate about an art form, I'd suggest finding a retired professional who has serious experience and learning from them. They'd probably be happy to have a real student and you'd spend a fraction of the money you'd spend on a 4-year college.

Also, you could probably finance your tutelage while working a full-time job and handling your life.

[Duke Main]

Just in case this excellent video wasn't already posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVEuPmVAb8o

There's a concept called talent stacking that should help you figure out a way to be more successful by combining your unique set of skills.

https://personalexcellence.co/blog/talent-stack/

[Duke Main]

My son is an accomplished musician. He's passionate about one type of music which doesn't command a large following. He could probably make a decent living with his guitar by giving lessons and playing gigs like weddings and bday parties, but since he only wants to play the music he likes, that doesn't happen, so he flips burgers when he must, and plays his music when he can.

A few years ago he asked me for some money to pursue his musical dreams. I gave him some advise instead (which he did not appreciate). I told him he should learn how to repair HVAC or plumbing or fill in the blank, and he could still pursue his musical passion in his spare time. I think it's good advise but people will do what they want. He didn't speak to me for several months after that, but we're fine now.

[Fortis]

Respect to you for doing that, Duke. I'm of the opinion that you'll grind in the dark to make your passion a reality. Otherwise it is not a passion. HVAC repair cert is a damn good investment for a young man.

[Poker]

(05-31-2018 04:32 AM)Fisto Wrote:  

(05-31-2018 03:56 AM)Peregrine Wrote:  

Passion is overrated. Talent is everything. Pick the path you have the highest talent in that also pays well.

Wall Street Playboys has more on this topic.

I disagree completely.

I have pursued endeavors that I had a lot of talent in but hated.

Society will tell you to do the thing you have talent in.

Your parents and family will assume you love it also when you may in fact hate it, but because you are good at it, and you don’t know what else to do, you do it also.

Over time you will come to resent, then hate this choice, and the thing you loved may by this time be gone because you’d have to start over with nothing in the way of experience.

I have a friend who was a heavyweight champion in boxing, pretty amazing considering he hated every second of it.

You have a powerful mind and if you have something you are passionate about do that.

You'll go further than you ever would doing something you hate because you’d be living a conflicted life where you like the results but hate what you do.

Don’t listen to anyone but yourself about this including me, do what makes you happy.

That’s the only thing that is really important, I just turned 40 a few days ago and I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that.

Be your authentic self.

Your loved ones want you to be happy also, they’ll come around.

If you could remove all expectations other people have put on you, then remove all expectations you have put on yourself (also because of what you think other people think or see; usually strangers you want to impress)

Then remove all the self limiting beliefs you put on yourself for no particular reason and you then ask yourself “what’s possible”?

Anything is possible.

You create your reality by how you view the world, and that reality exists soley based on the image you’re trying to project to other people.

Forget that image for a moment and just be you.

That image is bullshit.

It isn’t real.

Once you recreate that image without all the clever protections and barriers designed to keep you safe you’ll be able to create any reality you want if you can remember not to put limits on it.

Fisto, I enjoyed reading this. Seeing as you have just turned 40 and have lived a very interesting life, what life advice would you have for a guy like me who is still in his early twenties?

[Peregrine]

Fisto, you make some good points. Keep in mind. my advice assumes that what you're talented in can and will give you financial freedom (i.e. never have to work another day in your life) by age 30. Then you're free to pursue your passion or anything else for another ~40 years.