2023-12-18
My belief is that the work we become passionate about is not entirely random. Although our general procilivity towards certain fields, likely stems from our biology and societal conditioning. It seems to me most people are passionate about what they are already good at. Some people claim they are 'not good at anything', the truth is they are yet to train.
In the Korean title [노력의 배신] the author proposes that talent is where it's at and Korean society puts too much focus on working hard rather than working effciently. He refers to societies like this as [노력신봉공화국] roughly meaning an "effort above all" republic. This is quite common in asia where following your passion isn't a popular idea.
Some people might argue that being forced into jobs like being a doctor, a popular choice in Korea, is terrible because one would never love their job. While I understand the issue, I think the only thing that's wrong here is the person themselves not choosing their career, rather than their being a lack of passion. Side note: the reason North Korea has it so bad is not because the citzens don't have access to pleasure (the internet) but because they do not legally posess any freedom to CHOOSE their own path in life. Government say -> Monkey do.
What's the difference between choosing what you want to do and following your passion? I'd say the answer is that your passion doesn't require you to master the skill, whereas choosing a career path does.
It seems that the majority of people think that if they just work hard enough they can BE or DO anything. Although it's more like you can be ANYTHING but not EVERYTHING. I would argue that being orderly and hard working is a useful predictor of career success. However, there is one factor that determines whether YOU will be the next Elon or Gates. It's IQ. Look up any person who is in the top of their field and I guarantee you will see that they are really high in intelligence. Not to be captain obvious but most people were not destined to be the best and there is not a whole lot we can do about it. Before we get all pesimistic, I'm not saying don't try. Or that people with high IQ always win.
If your opponent only uses 50% of their capacity and you give it 100% of yours then you will eventually out pace them. Put simply, you can out work those not using their full potential. Think David Goggins or Naruto. One of them is a real person, I'll let you decide which. (Bad joke, I actually admire Goggins). This type of HUSTLE GRIND #STAYHARD mentality is so rare more often than not IQ does actually win. But don't overlook effort because between Jeff besos or David Goggins I know who I would rather be. That's right the answer is mediocre old me, of course.
Outside of straight hustling you could to try and > increase your base intellect but how one goes about doing that effectively is unclear. Since there is no strong evidence that states IQ can be raised after birth. Maybe a shock head injury might be able to alter IQ but I have a feeling in most cases it would be for the worse.
Since the name of the game in this society is not that your a 'good person' (whatever that means). Anything that inhibits your skill building is going to be a major setback to ones career and likely financial success. Example time!
With all that said, don't choose a life path solely because 'you think it's your calling' but choose a path 'you think you'd be good at' despite whether the latter is true or not.
Wise men of the internet once said that you need 'skills to pay the bills' and in 2024 at the time of writing this couldn't be more true. Don't follow your passion. Don't just get a degree. LEARN STUFF. Always and indefinately. Because that will (most likely) set you free.
P.S - This was my first ever blog post / article thank you for reading. I want my blog to be a mix of serious and fun which is why the writing style may seem unfamiliar. If you enjoyed this I have made appearences on Youtube which you can find >here. Otherwise have a blesse'd day and whatever you do don't 'just follow your passion'.