Passion vs Opinion

Are you truly passionate.... or just opinionated?

It’s easy to confuse caring deeply about something with being truly passionate about it. While opinions and knowledge are important, they’re not the same as passion.

Passion is something that transforms your life. It’s not just a thought or a belief; it’s a driving force that shapes your actions and experiences. The word “passion” comes from the Latin passio, meaning “suffering” or “enduring,” derived from the verb pati, meaning “to suffer” or “to endure.” This suggests that passion requires sacrifice and commitment.

Passion isn’t passive—it demands something from you. It pushes you to endure, to sacrifice, to give your time and energy. It transforms your life by providing motivation, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. It boosts happiness, enhances self-esteem, and sparks creativity, driving you to go further than you ever thought possible.

But could you be confusing passion with opinion?

An opinion is a belief or judgment you hold about a topic—it’s important, but it doesn’t require the depth of commitment that passion does. Passion is about what truly moves you, what you’re willing to endure for. If you’re only ever reacting to or arguing about an issue, you may be spinning your wheels, believing it’s passion when, in fact, it’s just an opinion.

When it comes to your career and personal development, you've probably heard the advice to “define your values,” “follow your passion,” and “find your purpose.” But let’s be real: this isn’t always easy to figure out.

So, how do you find your passion?

True passion often comes from within—it’s something you’re drawn to because you genuinely love it, not because of external rewards or expectations. When you’re passionate about something, it’s not about the outcome; it’s about the joy of the process itself. Passion is intrinsically rewarding.

By exploring your interests and allowing yourself to follow what excites you, you can unlock true satisfaction and success—both personally and professionally. Your passion will guide the way, but only if you're open to letting it lead you where you need to go.

Reference

Ramsey, D. "I Love You Enough to Tell You the Truth." The EntreLeadership Podcast. 2024. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-love-you-enough-to-tell-you-the-truth/id435836905?i=1000677308914

Cozma, I. Values, Passion, or Purpose — Which Should Guide Your Career? Harvard Business Review. 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/10/values-passion-or-purpose-which-should-guide-your-career

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