The Importance of Finding What You Love and Taking Risks in Your Career

The Importance of Finding What You Love and Taking Risks in Your Career

In life, we often find ourselves at crossroads, unsure of which path to take. Steve Jobs once said, "You've got to find what you love." This advice holds true not just for our personal lives, but also for our careers. Jobs emphasized the importance of trusting that the dots will connect in the future, even if we can only see them in hindsight. Following our passion and doing what we believe is great work is the key to true satisfaction.

Jobs believed that our work should fill a large part of our lives. After all, we spend a significant amount of time working, so it's crucial to find joy in what we do. If we haven't found it yet, Jobs encouraged us to keep looking and not settle for anything less. He posed a powerful question to evaluate our career choices: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" If the answer is consistently "No," it's a sign that we need to make a change.

While it's easy to get caught up in external expectations, pride, and fear of failure, Jobs reminded us that these things fall away in the face of death. We must remember that our time is limited, and we shouldn't waste it living someone else's life. Jobs urged us to have the courage to follow our hearts and intuition because they already know what we truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. This mindset of embracing our true desires and not being swayed by others' opinions is crucial for finding fulfillment in our careers.

In the world of journalism, the internet has revolutionized the industry but also broken its traditional business model. Substack, a platform for writers, recognized this challenge and came up with a new structure called Substack Pro. This program aimed to absorb more risk on behalf of the writers, ensuring they would get paid for a year of work regardless of their publication's performance.

Substack Pro was a departure from the conventional wisdom in Silicon Valley, where aggregating an audience was prioritized over establishing a sustainable business model. Substack wanted to build trust and reliability by aligning its success with the writers' success. This meant that Substack would keep 85% of the subscription revenue in the first year, but after that, the writer would keep 90% of the revenue.

By taking on most of the risk, Substack aimed to create a mutually beneficial relationship with the writers. They saw these deals as business decisions rather than editorial ones, as they didn't commission or edit stories. The writers were the owners, and they wrote for their own publications. Substack only asked for a commitment to a minimum publishing frequency to ensure dedication.

Substack Pro's selection process focused on the writer's audience size, engagement on social media, and respect from readers and peers. They also assessed the market opportunity of the publication and the subject it covered. Substack valued a diversity of thought and recognized that not every writer who says something important will be universally loved. Sometimes, those who face the fiercest opposition deserve the most support.

The connection between Steve Jobs' advice and Substack Pro's approach is clear. Both emphasize the importance of finding what you love and taking risks. Steve Jobs encouraged individuals to trust in their gut and follow their passion, while Substack Pro took a risk on writers by ensuring financial security. Both recognize that true fulfillment comes from doing what you believe in and embracing your authentic voice.

In conclusion, finding what you love and taking risks in your career are essential for personal and professional fulfillment. Steve Jobs' advice to trust in your passion and follow your heart aligns with Substack Pro's approach of supporting writers and giving them financial security. To apply these principles in your own life, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Explore your interests: Take the time to discover what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Don't be afraid to try new things and explore different career paths. Remember, it's never too late to find what you love.

2. Take calculated risks: Assess the risks involved in pursuing your passion, but don't let fear hold you back. Embrace uncertainty and believe in your abilities. Sometimes, the greatest rewards come from taking bold steps outside your comfort zone.

3. Surround yourself with support: Seek out communities, mentors, and platforms that align with your values and provide the support you need. Having a strong network of like-minded individuals can bolster your confidence and provide valuable guidance on your journey.

By incorporating these pieces of advice into your career, you can find fulfillment and success in doing what you love. Remember, your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Have the courage to follow your passion, embrace risks, and trust in your own voice. Stay hungry, stay foolish, and make a difference in the world.