For many affluent families, children are encouraged to follow their passions, often with the belief that those passions will lead to meaningful and financially successful careers. The mantra often is “do what you love, and success will follow.” The reality however is often different. While financial support can provide a safety net, it doesn’t change the reality that turning passion into a stable career is rare and difficult. Even with backing, young adults can feel immense pressure to turn their interests into something productive, leading to frustration and self-doubt.

The Reality of Passion-Driven Careers

Having financial resources makes it easier to explore passions, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll translate into careers. Many fields that align with personal passions, like art, music, or sports, are highly competitive and offer limited job opportunities. A study in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that while pursuing hobbies and interests can bring joy, only a small percentage of people turn those passions into sustainable careers (Chen et al., 2015).

Overly positive messaging, like “you can do anything you set your mind to,” can unintentionally do more harm than good. While encouraging, it overlooks the realities of market demands and economic viability. When young adults struggle to make their passions financially viable, they may feel as though they’ve failed—not because they aren’t talented, but because the messaging set an unrealistic standard.

The Pressure to “Love” Your Work

Encouraging children to follow their passions can unintentionally send the message that work should always feel enjoyable and fulfilling. In reality, most careers involve tasks that don’t align with personal interests, such as administrative work or navigating workplace politics. A study in the Academy of Management Journal found that individuals in passion-driven fields often feel burnout and frustration when faced with the less enjoyable aspects of their jobs (Bunderson & Thompson, 2014). For young adults, this can create self-doubt, as they may feel they’ve chosen the wrong path if their work doesn’t bring constant joy.

Balancing Passion with Practicality

Financial support gives young adults the freedom to explore their interests, but it’s important to balance that with practicality. Research in the Journal of Vocational Behavior shows that people who combine their passions with realistic expectations—such as considering job stability and income potential—tend to experience greater career satisfaction and success (Vallerand et al., 2016). Parents can help by encouraging their children to think creatively about how their passions can complement a practical career path, rather than expecting the passion itself to pay off immediately.

What Coaching Can Do

“Follow your passion” sounds like great advice, but in our coaching, we often encourage families to look at it more closely. The irony is that most parents who give this advice didn’t build their own careers by solely following their passions—they often made practical choices that led to their success. While the advice comes from a place of love, it can create unnecessary pressure for young adults, setting an expectation that their work must be both financially lucrative and personally fulfilling from the start. In reality, careers are often built through a mix of passion, practicality, and adaptability, and reframing this message can help young adults feel more supported as they navigate their own unique paths.

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Sources:

• Chen, X., Ellsworth, P. C., & Schwarz, N. (2015). "Finding Happiness in the Pursuit of Passion: The Psychological Benefits of Passion-Driven Work." Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6(6), 709-717.

• Duffy, R. D., Douglass, R. P., & Autin, K. L. (2017). "Living a calling and work well-being: A longitudinal study." Journal of Career Assessment, 25(3), 421-434.

• Bunderson, J. S., & Thompson, J. A. (2014). "The Call of the Wild: Zookeepers, Callings, and the Double-Edged Sword of Deeply Meaningful Work." Academy of Management Journal, 52(3), 422-450.

• Vallerand, R. J., Houlfort, N., & Koestner, R. (2016). "Passion at work: Toward a new conceptualization." Journal of Vocational Behavior, 93, 1-12.