Tonight I was listening to the podcast, How I Built This.
It’s an NPR podcast featuring stories of highly successful “innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists”. The show is incredibly inspiring and well-produced. If you haven’t listened to it, go check out out.
In the beginning of a recent episode, the host of the show, Guy Raz, recalls an interview with author, Elizabeth Gilbert.
In that interview, Gilbert apparently advised people not chase their passions but instead to chase their curiosity.
It got me thinking about the people I talk to who are still looking for a niche that aligns with their interests.
In most cases, it’s extremely difficult to monetize your passion. You may not even have a passion. And this leaves people stumped about what to do next.
Do you become a mercenary and solve whatever problems you see as your biggest opportunity? Or, do you try to align your business with your curiosity?
I’m willing to bet you’ll have more longterm success by following your curiosity. And doing so will give you much of the same drive, energy, and determination you’ll need to stick with it long enough to succeed.
It may also reduce the pressure to pick a niche that is perfectly aligned with your passions.
Follow your curiosity.