I’m sure you’ve heard a ‘guru’ giving career advice to “follow your passion”. While well-meaning, this advice can be dangerously simplistic. For many people, dissatisfaction with work is real. But abandoning everything to chase passion might lead to bigger problems — financial instability, burnout, or even deeper unhappiness.

On the flip side, staying stuck in work you resent is just as harmful. Like so many things in life, the best path lies somewhere in the middle.

As a career coach, I’ve made it my mission to help people craft work lives that work for them — not against them. The relationship you have with your work is one of the most important to take care of.

Think about it. You spend a huge chunk of your life working. If you’re unhappy in your work, that unhappiness bleeds into the rest of your life. I know this because I’ve lived it.

Years ago, I went through a work-related crisis that landed me in the hospital. It was a wake-up call, one that completely reshaped how I view work. Since then, I’ve committed to helping others avoid that same pain and create careers that align with their values and needs.

Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough

Passion isn’t a strategy; it’s a starting point. While it’s great to pursue what excites you, tying your entire identity to your work can leave you vulnerable.

What happens if your passion doesn’t pay the bills? Or if things fall apart? When work is your only source of fulfillment, it creates unrealistic expectations. You’ll constantly chase the “perfect job” — one that doesn’t exist.

There’s another problem with passion-focused thinking: it assumes you’ll stay the same forever. But you won’t. What you value, enjoy, and need from work will change. A rigid focus on finding one “true calling” can trap you in a job or career that no longer fits.

Passion isn’t something you discover; it’s crafted and honed through action.

The Myth of the Perfect Job

Using work as your sole source of fulfillment often leads to burnout. You might even feel guilty for wanting something different. After all, maybe you’ve had some success. You’ve been promoted, received pay raises, and have pretty decent job security. On paper, you’ve checked all the boxes.

But success on paper doesn’t mean fulfillment. And feeling unhappy at work doesn’t make you ungrateful — it makes you human.

Work should fuel your life, not consume it.

What to Do If You’re Unhappy With Your Work.

This is the question everyone asks: “how do I even start to make this better?”. It can feel overwhelming. You likely aren’t even sure what you want.

Rather than chasing passion, focus on curiosity. Experiment, learn, and explore. You don’t need all the answers right away. Take small steps to discover what energizes you and aligns with your values.

You won’t find your passion by thinking about it. You’ll only discover it through action.

Start small:

• Love writing? Start a blog.

• Curious about design? Take an online course.

• Interested in helping others? Volunteer or mentor.

Whatever it is, just pick an action and start exploring. Pay attention to how these activities make you feel. What excites you? What drains you? These clues will guide you toward work that feels meaningful.

Also, remember that work is just one piece of the puzzle. Your life outside of work matters too. Pursue hobbies, relationships, and interests that bring you joy. Balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.

Designing Your Career Around Your Values

To craft a career you love, start by reflecting on your core values. What’s most important to you? Helping others? Creativity? Intellectual growth? Use these values as your compass to make career decisions.

As you grow, don’t be afraid to change direction. Burnout or disengagement are signals to explore alternative paths. It’s never too late to make a change, no matter your age or role.

Take Back Control of Your Work Life

Life is too short to spend your days doing work that drains you. Instead of searching for the perfect job, follow your curiosity, experiment boldly, and craft a work life that fires you up.

You own your working life. Take back your power and shape it in a way that’s perfect for you.

Quotation that I’ve been pondering

“Fall in love with yourself, with life, and then with whomever you want.” — Frida Kaylo

Journal prompt

What aspects of your work bring you joy? What drains you? Reflect on how following your curiosity—not passion—could lead to a more fulfilling career. What small steps can you take to explore this today?