80000hours is an organization that helps people research and choose the best career to make a difference in areas of great social need.

Does following your passion guarantee success in your career?

No, following your passion does not guarantee success or fulfillment in your career, as the majority of jobs are not in fields that people are passionate about.

What should I focus on in my career instead of following my passion?

Focus on getting good at something that genuinely helps others and makes the world a better place, rather than just following your interests, which are not a solid basis for choosing a career.

How can I do what's valuable in my career?

To do what's valuable in your career, explore and learn about the world, test yourself in different things, and acquire in-demand skills.

Finding a Meaningful Career: Making a Positive Impact in Areas of Social Need | TEDxYouth@Tallinn

Name: Finding a Meaningful Career: Making a Positive Impact in Areas of Social Need | TEDxYouth@Tallinn
Uploaded: 2023-06-17 03:54:51
Description: Focus on finding a fulfilling career that makes a positive impact in areas of great social need, rather than just following your own passions.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "To find work you love, don't follow your passion | Benjamin Todd | TEDxYouth@Tallinn" by TEDx Talks

TLDR Focus on finding a fulfilling career that makes a positive impact in areas of great social need, rather than just following your own passions.

Key insights

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Instead of following your passion, focus on finding areas where there is a great social need and where you can make a difference in order to choose a meaningful career.
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Careers advice should focus on what we can do for other people and making the world a better place, rather than just following our own passions.
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Even if you match your passion with your work and succeed, you can still have an unfulfilling career if the work lacks meaning.
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The connection between interest match and success/happiness in work has not been strongly established by researchers, challenging the conventional wisdom of finding work you love.
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Instead of following your passion, focus on doing something valuable that genuinely helps others and makes the world a better place.
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Doing what's valuable, achieving mastery, and striving for meaning and purpose are key ingredients for personal fulfillment and happiness.
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Rather than starting with our passion and hoping for success, we should focus on doing what's valuable, which will lead to passion and a fulfilling career.
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Imagine a world where everyone's main thought is how they can contribute to others, leading to fulfillment and passionate careers.

Q&A

What is 80000hours?

— 80000hours is an organization that helps people research and choose the best career to make a difference in areas of great social need.
Why should I focus on finding a fulfilling career that makes a positive impact?

— Focusing on a career that makes a positive impact leads to personal fulfillment and happiness, as well as making the world a better place.
Does following your passion guarantee success in your career?

— No, following your passion does not guarantee success or fulfillment in your career, as the majority of jobs are not in fields that people are passionate about.
What should I focus on in my career instead of following my passion?

— Focus on getting good at something that genuinely helps others and makes the world a better place, rather than just following your interests, which are not a solid basis for choosing a career.
How can I do what's valuable in my career?

— To do what's valuable in your career, explore and learn about the world, test yourself in different things, and acquire in-demand skills.

Timestamped Summary

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00:00
80000hours helps people find fulfilling careers that make a positive impact in areas of great social need.
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02:14
🌍 Focus on making a positive impact and helping others in your career, rather than just following your own passions.
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04:40
Following your passion doesn't always lead to career success or fulfillment as most jobs aren't in fields people are passionate about.
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06:21
🔥 Studies show that passionate and assertive salespeople are more likely to burn out and die younger in their jobs, suggesting that following your passion may not always lead to success and happiness in your career.
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07:31
Focus on a career that helps others and improves the world, rather than just following your interests.
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08:49
Pursuing mastery and a greater purpose leads to personal fulfillment and a better world.
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10:18
Focus on doing what's valuable instead of following your passion, explore and learn about the world, test yourself in different things, and acquire in-demand skills to achieve a fulfilling career and success.
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12:15
Focus on developing skills to solve neglected social problems and find fulfillment in your career by doing valuable work that helps others.