As my oldest son decides which college to attend this fall, I keep reminding him to follow his passion, then he will find his purpose. Words I tell all my children. After recently listening to a podcast with Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, it turns out I’m giving them the wrong advice.
Rowe shared with his audience that while a few people follow their passion and find success, many do not.
“I think when you put passion first, you erect a giant wall. If you can get over it, and get down to the other side, then you get to write the biography and tell the world about how you identify. People love to read that crap,” Rowe said.
Perhaps that is why I’m inspired by dairy farmers, such as my husband, Scott. Like many of you, he was born underneath a cow, so to speak, and found success. Scott realized very young in life he was born to be a dairy farmer. With hard work and sheer commitment, he has been able to continue that occupation his entire life. I often remind my children not everyone knows at a young age what they want to do with their life, and that is OK.
Many people find success through trial and error, which is Rowe’s point. That success started with a willingness to take a job few others wanted or were willing to explore. Hard work developed into passion. Often inquisitive farmers explore ideas, sometimes landing them into new ventures within their operation, where they find new successes within their dairy.
No Blindfold
Sorry Mike Rowe, I still think there is a place in the world for passion. A case in point is with my teenage daughter, Cassie. In a world where we see fewer kids willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard to follow their passion, farm kids are often a fresh breath of air.
While I’m not sure what Cassie’s future will entail, I’m not too worried. As a natural-born leader, she is passionate, hungry for knowledge and eager to prove she can work hard. These traits will undoubtedly propel her forward in life. Like her father, she showcases a passion for dairy farming, which excites us. Regardless of her future career, passion coupled with deeply rooted traits taught on a family farm will launch her far in life.
I will continue to tell those young and young at heart to follow their passion. But don’t wear a blindfold — keep your eyes open to new experiences. The next big opportunity could ignite a deep level of passion you never knew was out there.
