In this week’s podcast Max asks: “I’ve always been very passionate about cars, specifically racing them. While I realize that I probably won’t become a successful racing driver, I do have the skills and passion required for other racing related jobs. I have a family and think that taking a stable engineering job would be best for them. Should I save racing for a hobby later, or pursue it as a career? A regular automotive engineering job would be great too, but might require moving across the country. I want to be passionate about my career, but also do the responsible thing for my family.”
So if you’re not good enough to be the very best should you walk away from your area of passion and just be “responsible?”
A couple of years ago I was watching the PBS special on the music of David Foster (Hit Man – David Foster and Friends). As the
hosts asked him about his early years in music, one response jumped out at me. David said he loved music as a child and his parents allowed him to take lessons in classical music. But David said: “I was good, but not great.” He went on to explain that if he had been a better musician he would likely have ended up as an anonymous face in some orchestra. Not being great forced him to look for other ways to be involved in music. So he writes and produces for other musicians. It has been said that Foster’s songs have made “many famous singers into superstars.” Many of his songs have become well known through the voices of Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Madonna and Micheal Buble. And his own fame and fortune has far surpassed what he could have possibly hoped for as a “great” musician.
In The Millionaire Mind author Thomas Stanley looks at the common characteristics of people who have ended up ended up extremely wealthy. Their average GPA is 2.7. Why isn’t it that all 4.0 students become wildly successful? Maybe their “greatness” came too easily and they missed the benefits of the struggle.
If “greatness” has not come easily for you have you given up the pursuit and settled for mediocrity? Or have you looked for alternative approaches for success anyway?
Maybe “greatness” that comes too easily is itself an obstacle. We’ve all seen athletes, musicians, writers, and speakers who were so naturally great they never had to exercise the discipline to survive the hard times – and quickly faded into oblivion.
Maybe not being “great” is your biggest hidden asset.
Where are you passionate but not good enough to be the best? Could it be that your best opportunity is just a slight adjustment in that same area?
What an encouraging post Dan! I often feel like I don’t have enough expertise in an area that I’m passionate about to be of value to others…but I only have to be a couple steps ahead, not an expert! Thanks for all you do.
Walter – so true. A couple steps ahead – or to the side can position you for another form of greatness.
Love this post – sometimes the path to passion may not turn out how we expect, however the value in moving forward to discover it is golden..
Great observations, Dan! Just goes to show that if you adjust the prism by which you’re looking at your passion, there are always other doors to entry if you believe that original avenue may be closed to you. Just takes a small tweak at the way you’re looking at things. Most passions have many layers & if you peel that onion a bit more, you may be surprised to find that you have the ability to actually EXCEL in an area you never even considered previously.
Andrew – Yep, you could be a mediocre player and end up as the orchestra director.
Dan,
This post really got me thinking! – Especially this line, “Maybe their “greatness” came too easily and they missed the benefits of the struggle.”
I’ve seen the benefit of the struggle in my own life.
I was never a great student… and always thought I was just not smart, or that something was wrong with me. But at one point in high school I was able to grasp the concept that if I wanted something, I had the freedom and ability to DECIDE (and no one could take that from me) and then go about throwing my whole heart, and determined self into getting what I decided on. And it worked!
The first time I did this and achieved what I wanted to, sits deep in my soul today, and the thrill of doing things that I set my mind on doing has never left!
Thanks for the great post!
“Stable engineering job” is an oxymoron.
Getting a 4.0 in school assumes everything you are taught has great value-please pause to laugh as some of it is pointless worthless knowledge. When warren buffett was on 60 minutes the host was surprised when he said all 3 of his kids dropped out of College. One of them 2 or 3 times and that he and his wife were not concerned. I suspect all were chasing value and not a piece of paper.
I’ll take struggle every time over a clear and easy path. I am old enough and learned enough to know that struggle is a precious gift.