Stop searching for your passion | Terri Trespicio | TEDxKC

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker challenges the societal pressure to find and pursue a singular 'passion.' Sharing personal anecdotes, the speaker highlights the unrealistic nature of this expectation, arguing that passion is not a predefined goal but something that emerges through action and engagement. Rather than waiting for the perfect passion to appear, the speaker emphasizes the importance of starting with small steps—solving problems, helping others, and being generous. Ultimately, the message is clear: don’t wait for passion to strike; it follows you when you focus on meaningful action and contribution.

Takeaways

• 😀 The pressure to find one singular passion is unrealistic and limiting, often leading to stress and confusion.
• 😀 Passion is not a plan, it's a feeling that can change, and using it as a yardstick to judge success can be misleading.
• 😀 Success often fuels passion, not the other way around, and you don’t need to be passionate about something to succeed in it.
• 😀 You don't need to have everything figured out, and it's okay to take a job just for the sake of getting started.
• 😀 Life and career are not about having one singular passion but about experiencing things and letting them lead to opportunities.
• 😀 The idea of finding a ‘passion’ is often more about cultural pressure than reality, and many people struggle with it.
• 😀 Sometimes, it’s more important to simply start doing something rather than wait for the perfect passion to strike.
• 😀 The fear of not having a ‘wow’ answer when asked about passions can hold people back from exploring diverse opportunities.
• 😀 Meaningful careers and relationships are built on effort and attention, not a singular obsession with passion.
• 😀 Helping others and solving problems can lead to passion, as it aligns your energy with real-world needs.
• 😀 Passion follows you as you engage with life, not the other way around—it's about finding value through action and contribution.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction when they got laid off from their job at Martha Stewart?

The speaker felt relieved. Although they loved the job, they realized the relationship with the job was over, and they didn’t know how to end it. Ultimately, the job ended for them, which brought a sense of relief.

How did the speaker feel about the pressure to 'find their passion'?

The speaker found the pressure to find a singular passion stressful and limiting. They criticized the idea of having one passion to pursue exclusively, which society often enforces as the key to success.

What does the speaker think about the idea of pursuing passion as the only path to success?

The speaker believes that this idea is unrealistic and elitist. They argue that success can come from many different directions, not just from a singular passion.

Why did the speaker initially struggle with finding their passion?

The speaker struggled with finding their passion because they were overwhelmed by the pressure to make a major life decision at a young age, feeling like they had to pick a career path that would define their entire future.

What advice did the speaker's mother give them during a difficult time in their twenties?

The speaker’s mother advised them to take any job, not to worry about getting stuck, and to stop agonizing about life decisions. She emphasized that life is created by living it, not by overthinking it.

What was the speaker's first full-time job, and how did it affect their outlook on work?

The speaker took a job as an assistant at a management consulting firm. Although they knew little about the role, it provided structure, a routine, and a paycheck, which gave them a sense of purpose and stability.

How did the speaker feel about the idea that success fuels passion, rather than passion fueling success?

The speaker agrees with this perspective, noting that in their experience, success in a job or role often leads to a growing passion for it, rather than passion being the initial driving force behind success.

What was the speaker’s experience with selling jewelry, and what lesson did they learn from it?

The speaker had no background in sales and no passion for jewelry, but they found success in selling it because they discovered they enjoyed meeting a need and making people happy. This experience planted the seed for their entrepreneurial journey.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the cottage industry built around helping people find their passion?

The speaker acknowledges that this industry has good intentions but believes it can sometimes cause unnecessary stress. They feel that the idea of finding a passion can be overwhelming and that people should focus more on solving problems and being useful.

What does the speaker suggest people do instead of waiting for their passion to show up?

The speaker advises people not to wait for passion but to start by solving problems, being useful, and contributing to others. They suggest that passion follows when your energy and effort meet someone else’s need.