Nothing truly motivates me more than talking with someone who is working on what they love. It really is infectious. But many people approach their career planning as an analytical exercise about which markets are growing and which professions are in demand. I know that was my approach when I first moved to Ottawa roughly 4 years ago. While this is relevant data, I believe that career planning is not primarily an analytical task. In predicting professional success, enthusiam and passion (and the hard work they inspire) count for much more than extra piece of ability.
I have had the opportunity to interview several great companies and smart HR practioners and it started to become very clear that success does not necessarily come to those with the highest IQ, nor to those who went to the best schools, nor even those who chose the most in demand specialty at that time. Rather, lifelong drive and determination have been more influential in predicting professional success. Unless you are working on something you love, it is hard to find the discipline to exhibit drive and determination with consistent conviction.
Calvin Coolidge, said “Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Many people, when making career plans, ask themselves what they are good at. However, as Coolidge pointed out, talents (or skills or strengths) are not the key issue, even if they are relevant. Rather, what is important is what inspires persistence and determination – in other words, what do you care about. Don’t worry about what you’re good at. If something turns you on, you’ll be good enough. If it doesn’t, you won’t.
Your strengths are irrelevant: What you like and enjoy doing is critical! Success, in my humble opinion, comes from doing what you enjoy – at least that’s what I believe. If you don’t enjoy it, how can it be called success?
Do you agree? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
