THREAD // Should you pursue money or your passion in your 20s?
One question Tim Ferriss asks interviewees in Tribe of Mentors is:
"What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the ‘real world’?"
I noticed a common trend among answers.
One question Tim Ferriss asks interviewees in Tribe of Mentors is:
"What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the ‘real world’?"
I noticed a common trend among answers.
Most interviewees said to pursue skills, money, and knowledge as much as possible in your 20s so that you can have the means to actually impact society in a meaningful way in the following decades.
Specifically, three interviewee responses stood out.
Specifically, three interviewee responses stood out.
"Many students come to me full of intentions to change the world...I tell them to first graduate and make a lot of money, then figure out how to help those in need. I have seen so many former students in their late 30s and 40s struggling to make ends meet." -Ayaan Hirsi Ali
"Master some skill, interest, or knowledge that others find valuable. You don’t have to love it, you just have to be the best at it. Once your master it, you’ll be rewarded with new opportunities that will allow you to move away from tasks you dislike." -Kevin Kelly
"Many of us have bought into the cliché ‘pursue your passion.’ For many, that is terrible advice. In your 20s, you may not really know what your best skills and opportunities are. It’s much better to pursue learning, personal discipline, and growth."- Chris Anderson
These answers support Cal Newport's idea that passion is cultivated, not discovered.
On the road to cultivating this passion, it's best to rid yourself of debt, learn the basics of personal finance, and figure out how to earn real money. By the time you have the experience, knowledge, and skills to impact the world, you will have the financial means to do so.
