Turning your passion into a profession

In the film Three Idiots, Rancho advised his friend Raju, whose dream is to become a wildlife photographer, to turn his passion into a profession.

One of the most famous proponents of this idea is Steve Jobs. He said: “You've got to find what you love. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.”

This is, to many, easier said than done. Sam Davidson, in his internet article called Making Your Passion Your Profession, suggests a four-step process:

• That dream develops a passion.
• The passion develops a plan.
• The plan determines the action.
• The action helps us to dream better.

Obviously, what is crucial is to first have a dream. It gives meaning and impetus to whatever passion, plan and action there are. As Robert K. Greenleaf, whose essay Servant as Leader inspire people all over the world, says: “Not much happens without a dream. And for something great to happen, there must be a great dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first.”