During my college years, I worked with my dad at his school furniture company, where we sold computer desks to school systems. Yes, I know—fathers and sons working together is the stuff that Greek tragedies are made of. But here I was, putting together all the furniture that he sold to schools. Over time, I got really good at it—I could fly through putting those nuts and bolts in and stand that table up in a flash. No doubt, this was one of my strengths. And of course, my dad wanted me to take over the company one day.
Alas, I did not take over the company. Why? Because what I was good at—what my strength was—was not what my passion was.
Strength vs. Passion: The Great Misconception
There’s a bit of a misconception about strengths and passions. Too often, we’re led to believe that if we’re really good at something, it must be what we’re passionate about. But that’s not always the case, is it? Strengths are things we can do well, but they don’t always make us feel excited or alive. Passions, on the other hand, are what fuel us—they’re the things that light us up.
I’ve read a lot on this, including Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham, and while I agree with some of his points about focusing on strengths, I think he misses something important. Buckingham talks about how strengths are the things we’re naturally good at, and those strengths can certainly lead to success. But the problem is that many people get stuck in roles that only tap into their strengths—roles they’re good at, but that don’t actually make them feel alive. It’s like assembling tables: I was great at it, but it didn’t light me up.
Buckingham: Strengths Aren’t Passions
In Love + Work, Marcus Buckingham makes a distinction between strengths and passions. While strengths are things we’re naturally good at, passions are what light us up. Buckingham acknowledges that strengths can lead to success, but he also touches on what I like to call the “excellence curse.” It’s when you’re so good at something that you feel stuck in it, even if it doesn’t truly excite you. This happens often—people get trapped by their own success in roles that don’t make them feel alive. Strengths might open the door, but passion is what keeps you walking through it, giving you the energy and excitement to keep going.
Elizabeth Gilbert: Passion Is the Spark
Gilbert hits the nail on the head when she talks about passion as the spark that makes life worth living. She encourages us to pursue what lights us up, even if it doesn’t come with a guarantee of success or perfection. It’s the act of creating, of doing something that excites us, that makes us feel alive. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect skill set. It’s about diving into what thrills you, because that’s where the magic happens. And that’s the key: passion isn’t about perfection—it’s about doing what feels right for you.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Reflecting on these ideas, I’ve come to realize that strengths are essential, but they’re not the whole picture. If we don’t pair our strengths with our passions—what truly excites us—we’ll never feel fulfilled. Strengths can open the door, but passion makes the journey meaningful. It’s about finding that intersection where your natural abilities and your excitement meet.
That’s when the work becomes more than work—it becomes something that truly lights you up.
So here’s the big question: Are you simply good at what you do, or are you doing what excites you? It’s time to find the work that lights you up.
