Why You Should Stop Chasing Passion—and Start Designing Your Life

Everywhere you look, you’ll find advice to 'find your passion.' But what if that’s the wrong question? According to Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, and a growing body of research, passion is rarely something you stumble upon—it’s something you build, step by step, through curiosity and action.

Most people who love their work didn’t start out knowing exactly what they wanted. They tried things, followed their interests, and let curiosity lead the way. The book shares stories of professionals who started in one field and ended up thriving in another, not by chasing a single passion, but by staying open to new experiences.

Curiosity is the real secret. When you approach life as a series of experiments, you free yourself from the pressure to have it all figured out. You can dabble, explore, and pivot as your interests evolve. The Good Time Journal, for example, encourages you to track when you feel most engaged and energized—these clues often point to activities worth exploring further.

Passion, it turns out, is often the result of mastery and engagement, not the cause. By investing time and energy into new pursuits, you gradually develop the skills and confidence that make those activities deeply rewarding. Experts call this the 'growth mindset,' and it’s the foundation of lifelong learning and satisfaction.

So, if you’re feeling lost or uninspired, don’t wait for passion to strike. Start with curiosity, take small steps, and let your interests evolve. Over time, you’ll design a life that feels exciting, meaningful, and uniquely yours.

Inspired by 'Designing Your Life' and research on growth mindset and curiosity. For more on building a life you love, see stories from Stanford d.school and career change success stories on LinkedIn.