This week I’ve been on a coaching course and had a lot of great conversations with people, but one piece of advice I fundamentally disagree is, “Follow your passion.” It sounds like the key to happiness, but I have never been fully convinced by that advice. Passion can fade, and not every passion leads to work that pays the bills. I have always believed it makes more sense to focus on what you are good at, what adds value to others, and what allows you to build a stable, independent life.
I started life in a small town in the middle of nowhere, my opportunities were very limited and so my first job was packing spices for Sleaford Quality Foods. My second, was on a factory line cutting up chicken thighs for Padleys. I knew I wasn’t doing either job out of passion. I was doing them for the money, and I appreciated that fact. Those early jobs taught me the importance of earning my way in the world. Padleys knew everyone hated the job and so they made a huge bonus if you completed the 6 week contract. They said most people quit in the first half day, but I just kept on going because every week more money got put into the pot, IF I completed the contract. It was definitely a grind, but that money helped me get started in university.
I made myself a promise back then: I would keep finding jobs where I could add more value and do a little better each time. When I went to university, I worked whenever I could so I wouldn’t be a burden to my mum. It wasn’t easy balancing work and study, but it gave me a sense of independence and responsibility that I still value today. After graduating, I found a job selling label printers. It wasn’t glamorous, but it helped me develop confidence, communication skills, and a sense of purpose. Step by step, I found work that I enjoyed more, but I never lost sight of the simple truth that I had to provide value to others.
Each job, no matter how small or routine, teaches you something if you’re willing to learn. You gain skills, discipline, and an understanding of how the world works. Even when the work itself doesn’t excite you, you can still take away lessons about teamwork, reliability, communication, or efficiency. The key is to look for what the job can teach you.
That idea reminds me of a story from Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. In the book, the author and his friend work for almost nothing in a small store. They’re frustrated at first, but instead of quitting, they start paying attention. They notice that old comics are being thrown away, so they come up with a plan to collect them and set up their own small comic library, charging other children to read them. They weren’t being paid much, but they were learning to think creatively, spot opportunities, and turn knowledge into value. It’s a perfect example of how learning from every experience can lead to something greater.
That approach is also what makes good computing professionals. In computing, passion might get you started, but discipline keeps you going. Every programmer knows that motivation won’t fix a bug at midnight, but patience and persistence will. The best coders aren’t the ones who only work when they feel inspired – they’re the ones who keep testing, debugging, and improving, even when it’s tedious. There’s a quote from Jocko Willink, a former US Navy SEAL, that fits perfectly here: “Discipline eats motivation for breakfast.” Motivation comes and goes, but discipline keeps you moving forward.
The world of computing also shows the importance of adding value. A flashy idea or a trendy app might look exciting, but real success comes from solving problems. The software that changes industries, the systems that power businesses, and the code that makes people’s lives easier – they all start with a simple question: “How can I make this better for someone else?” The world rewards usefulness, not just enthusiasm.
That same mindset drove Wayne Huizenga, an American businessman who started out collecting rubbish in Florida. He didn’t begin with a passion for waste disposal — he started with a single used truck, hard work, and a determination to do things better. Bit by bit, he grew his company, Waste Management, into the largest waste collection business in the world. Later, he built Blockbuster Video and AutoNation using the same disciplined approach. Huizenga once said, “Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” The same is true in computing – success rarely comes from dreaming up ideas, but from turning them into working solutions through skill and persistence.
Those experiences and examples have shaped how I see work and success. Whether you’re cutting chicken thighs, selling label printers, or writing software, satisfaction doesn’t always come from doing what you love. Often it comes from doing something well, being dependable, improving your skills, and seeing that your efforts make a difference.
Following your passion might sound inspiring, but life often requires a more balanced view. Work hard, keep learning, and aim to make yourself useful. Let passion grow from what you do well. As Jocko Willink suggests, it’s discipline – not fleeting bursts of motivation – that carries you forward. And as Wayne Huizenga proved, success doesn’t come from dreaming about it; it comes from getting up every morning and making it happen.
