This movie ruins careers.
Some stories are better left for the big screen!
Yes, the movie Rudy.
For the uninitiated, Rudy is based on the true story of a young man from a small town who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame. Despite his small size and poor grades, he enrolls in the school and walks onto the team, though he never plays until the last game of his senior year, when the coach lets him suit up (after they were already in a comfortable lead).
Spoiler Alert: Rudy makes a sack to the roaring crowd and is lifted by his fellow players. It’s a real tear-jerker, a story of an underdog who persevered against all odds.
I loved this movie, just like I loved the Rocky films, but let’s be real—would Rudy have been better off tapping into his mastery rather than his passion? The real Rudy seems to be doing OK for himself professionally, so I hope I am not a hater here, but let me put some color on this.
I am passionate about lots of things. I love biking, but I don’t want to open a bike shop. I am passionate about grilling, but I don’t want to work at a restaurant. I am growing in my passion for planting vegetables, but I don’t want to become a farmer.
Your next step:
Ignore people who tell you to follow your passion and figure out where you are gifted. What are you good at? What comes naturally to you that others struggle with? What will you work on, even when it's not fun?
I have worked in Training and development for 9 years. I am not deeply passionate about adult learning theory, Learning Management Systems, curriculum design, and facilitation, but I am good at it and get paid well to do it.
I like my job just fine, but I am grateful that after a long day, I can go on a bike ride, grill a steak (medium rare), and water my tomatoes without the stress of making a dollar.
Thanks for reading!