I love this question from a listener – What do you do when the passion is gone?
Hi Dan,
I’m 33 years old, and I’ve been drawing cartoons and comics for as long as I can remember. It just recently became a career after I completed two full length graphic novels in the past few years. My mission statement for my work has always been “To tell stories that are as fun to read as they are to make”, but it’s becoming something dreadful that I don’t look forward to anymore.
It breaks my heart to feel that way towards something I’ve done since my childhood, and I can’t see how my continuing to create comics and stories is something that brings lasting value to other people’s lives.
Should I let this chapter of my life close? Or is there something I’ve missed that will reinvigorate my hope for this to be a fulfilling career? ~Joshua
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Thanks so much for your great question:
Recognize the “seasons” of life – especially for creative people.
You’re really not likely to find one thing and do only that for the next 30 years. You’re more likely to want change every 3-5 years. If you know that about yourself you can anticipate the change – be open to it and be looking for new opportunities. Don’t beat yourself up – get excited about the changes that are coming. I know I’m a 3 year guy. Even if things are going very well, if they are predictable and moving well on their own – I will start to sabotage them because I’ll become bored and eager for a new challenge.
Entrepreneurs don’t just find one thing and do it forever. They are constantly looking for the next opportunity. They are likely to take components of what they were doing previously into their next adventure but the application is likely to look much different.
You may move from full length graphic novels to doing:
- 30-second commercials
- the very popular whiteboard animations
- or into the growing Manga space
Typically our “divine discontent” opens the door for the next season in our lives. The loss of your passion my be the seed of what will increase your enthusiasm and income.
If the passion is diminishing, or gone – recognize you are a different person than you were 10 years ago – or 5 years ago – or even 1 year ago. Take a fresh look at yourself and start from there. Reevaluate your (1) Skill & Abilities, (2) Personality Traits, (3) Values, Dreams and Passions. Once you are clear again on those, you can then start looking for the best application that embraces those in a way that puts you on an exciting career path for the next 3-5 years.
