How to find your thing

The discussion revolves around the common advice to "follow your passion" and argues for a more nuanced approach. The speakers contend that "passion" is often ill-defined and difficult for most people to identify, leading to frustration and a feeling of being lost. Instead, they propose alternative frameworks, drawing inspiration from Joseph Campbell's concepts and modern interpretations. One key idea is to "follow your bliss," which is not about fleeting happiness but about identifying what you are genuinely enthusiastic about doing. This enthusiasm is characterized by being naturally drawn to an activity, finding it interesting, feeling alive while doing it, losing track of time, and engaging in it during leisure hours. The speakers emphasize that this enthusiasm often leads to unfamiliar paths and inherent challenges. This leads to the concept of "following your blisters." Blisters are presented as a tangible sign of effort and a price paid willingly for an activity. If you are willing to endure hardship and pain for something, it's a strong indicator of genuine engagement. This idea is echoed by Paul Graham, who suggests letting enthusiasm be both the "motor and the rudder" of your endeavors, guiding you to the frontier of a field where gaps and opportunities lie. The etymology of "passion" is explored, revealing its root in the word for "suffering." This connection highlights that true passion often involves embracing hardship. Historically, the idea of "passion" was linked to leisure and was a privilege of the wealthy. The concept of a standard workweek and vacations is relatively recent, emerging in the 1930s and gaining prominence post-WWII. The speakers observe that despite increased work, the focus on passion and happiness can paradoxically lead to more discontent, as suggested by the book "Bad Therapy." Cal Newport's idea that "passion is a byproduct of mastery" is introduced, with mastery stemming from enduring enthusiasm. The chain suggested is: enduring enthusiasm leads to mastery, which in turn leads to passion. This is illustrated by the example of practicing piano even when tired, inching closer to mastery. A practical framework is proposed: identifying a "loop" that you love. A loop is a repeatable cycle of actions inherent in a job or role. For example, a doctor's loop involves diagnosing pain, prescribing solutions, and alleviating suffering. A founder's loop involves envisioning a better world, building a product, selling it, and building a team. The key is to find a loop that energizes you, even with its inherent difficulties. The speakers suggest that for them, the podcasting loop—curiosity, deep diving, sharing insights, and repeating—is deeply fulfilling. The discussion also touches upon the "Top Five Regrets of the Dying," a book by a hospice nurse. The number one regret is not living a life true to oneself. Other regrets include working too hard, not expressing feelings, losing touch with friends, and not allowing oneself to be happier. This reinforces the importance of aligning one's life with personal desires rather than external expectations. A crucial distinction is made between passion as a career and passion as a hobby. While pursuing passion as a career can be a mistake, especially in creative fields with uncertain financial returns, having a passion as a hobby is valuable. However, the speakers also acknowledge that most people are not thrilled with their work, and spending half of one's waking life in an unfulfilling job is a significant loss. The quest to find work that is enjoyable and energizing is deemed a worthwhile pursuit, and this doesn't necessarily mean entrepreneurship; it could be a fulfilling job within an existing structure. The concept of "light yourself on fire and people will come" is presented as a metaphor for being intensely passionate and engaged in what you do. However, this intense engagement is also recognized as incredibly challenging. The speakers caution against comparison, which can be the thief of joy and kill passion. They advocate for developing an internal scorecard and reward system rather than relying on external validation. The analogy of holding onto a pole on a moving airport tram illustrates the need for grounding and preparation in the face of life's inevitable challenges. Similarly, the idea of "braces money" highlights that passion can extend beyond a single pursuit; one can be passionate about providing for family needs as well. Finally, two key takeaways for identifying what to pursue are offered: 1. **Name the blisters:** Be explicit about the inherent difficulties and suffering involved in an activity. This self-awareness is more critical than focusing solely on the rewards. 2. **The art of noticing:** Cultivate the ability to observe your own disproportionate enthusiasm, your willingness to go further than others, and the mastery you gain. Sometimes, others, like family members, can spot these inclinations before you do. The stories of Naval and Adam Neumann are used as examples of how external observation can reveal one's true calling. The conversation concludes by acknowledging the difficulty of this journey and the importance of finding a "loop" that provides energy and makes one feel alive, whether that loop is in entrepreneurship or a fulfilling job.