How to find and do work you love | Scott Dinsmore | TEDxGoldenGatePark (2D)

Summary

In this talk, the speaker shares his journey from feeling unfulfilled in a Fortune 500 company to discovering a passion-driven career. After receiving poor career advice to focus on building a resume, he realized the importance of pursuing meaningful work. Through interviews, research, and personal experiences, he discovered a framework of three key elements: self-awareness, pushing personal limits, and surrounding oneself with inspiring people. The speaker encourages others to reflect on their passions, challenge their perceived limits, and build environments that foster growth and fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 🌟 People often take jobs to build their resumes, but this approach can lead to dissatisfaction. Following passion and purpose is more fulfilling.
• 🤔 Over 80% of people don't enjoy their work, which leads to lives of quiet desperation. The goal should be finding work that aligns with passion.
• 💡 Self-awareness is key. Understanding your strengths, values, and experiences helps define what success means to you.
• 📚 There's no formal education on passion and purpose; it’s up to each individual to explore and define what they love.
• 💪 Surrounding yourself with passionate, inspiring people helps push boundaries and opens up new possibilities.
• 🚀 Impossible tasks become possible when people challenge limits. Confidence in one area (like physical challenges) can translate to other life areas.
• 💬 Asking why you’re doing your current work is crucial. Often, people follow paths set by others rather than pursuing their own passions.
• 🤝 Your environment matters. Being around people who push the limits of what’s possible can elevate your own standards and goals.
• 🔥 Finding work that makes you feel alive is essential for creating meaningful impact in the world.
• 🌍 When individuals pursue what inspires them, it leads to greater innovation and positivity, transforming not only their lives but the world around them.

Q & A

What was the worst career advice the speaker received?

The worst career advice the speaker received was to not worry about enjoying the work, but to focus on building a resume.

How did the speaker feel about their corporate job?

The speaker quickly grew dissatisfied with their corporate job, even feeling an urge to slam their head through the monitor, as it became clear that their role had been automated and lacked impact.

What alternative career advice did the speaker find inspiring?

The speaker found Warren Buffett's advice inspiring: 'Taking jobs to build up your resume is the same as saving up sex for old age.'

What led the speaker to create the community called 'Live Your Legend'?

After interviewing passionate people and reading extensively, the speaker wanted to create a community where people could feel free to pursue work they love, leading to the founding of 'Live Your Legend.'

What is the first step of the passionate work framework the speaker describes?

The first step is becoming a self-expert, which involves understanding one's unique strengths, values, and experiences to find the work that truly matters to them.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate that everything was impossible until someone did it?

The speaker cites Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile, which was once considered impossible, until Bannister achieved it and others soon followed.

What lesson did the speaker learn from swimming across the San Francisco Bay?

The speaker learned that pushing one's limits, even when facing fears (like deep water), can lead to personal growth and accomplishment. The support from others, including a 13-year-old friend, helped overcome fear.

How does the speaker emphasize the importance of surrounding oneself with passionate people?

The speaker highlights that surrounding yourself with passionate people doing what you aspire to do helps shift your mindset from 'how can I?' to 'how can I not?', raising your standards and inspiring action.

What did the speaker mean by 'the scripted life'?

The 'scripted life' refers to following a path that society tells you to follow, like climbing a career ladder that may not be aligned with your true passions or values.

What question does the speaker ask the audience at the end of the talk?

The speaker asks, 'What is the work you can't not do?', encouraging the audience to discover their passion and live it for their own fulfillment and to inspire others.