To Follow or Not To Follow

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This is my father-in-law. I have been thinking of him because the anniversary of his passing was yesterday, February 19. He died in 2002. (Miss you, Dad.) But he also came to mind as I read an article by CNBC's Make It  about Scott Galloway, self-made millionaire and marketing professor at New York University Stern School of Business.

Galloway says he is tired of hearing people tell young folks the secret to success is to follow your passion. His suggestion is to find out what you are good at, invest time into it, and become great at it. He believes therein lies the path to financial success. 

His second bit of advice is equally unexpected. "The most important decision you will make for happiness over the course of your life is who you decide to partner with — not professionally, but personally: your mate, your spouse." So, find what you are good at and pick a good life partner. 

How does this relate to my father-in-law, you might ask? He had both of those concepts figured out long before Scott Galloway was even born. First he asked a smart, hardworking, God-fearing young woman to be his wife. (Miss you too, Mom.) Next he looked around for something he thought he might be good at, trained for it, and made it his life's work.

While serving in the Army during WWII, Dad came to know a successful Chiropractor. This gentleman saw in Dad a temperament and abilities that could be the makings of a good health care provider. After the war Dad went to Chiropractic College. His ready smile, being a good listener, his genuine concern for people's well-being, combined with what seemed to be a healing touch that was able to find and relieve pain stood him in good stead all the years he practiced. 
Was Chiropractic his passion? Well, he certainly believed in what he was doing and enjoyed helping people. However, the day of the week Dad really looked forward to was Wednesday, his day off. He spent most every Wednesday puttering around in the polebarn on a property he called The Frog Pond. There he did what he dearly loved, which was tinkering around with old cars and gasoline engines. One of his greatest pleasures and joys was when he was able to fire up and drive a huge old Rumley steam tractor, which took him years to restore, for the Centennial of his hometown in Iowa. 

So, what can we learn from all this? Well, let's face it, not everyone can make a good living from something they are passionate about. Some passions just are not moneymakers. Does that mean we should give up on things that bring us pleasure and satisfaction? No, you can have the best of both. 

If the thing you are passionate about is not one of those precious few that bring both joy and financial reward, do what Dad did. Find a career or business which suits your personality and talents. Train for it and then give it your all, becoming the best you can be. Once you have some financial security, you will have both time and money to indulge your passion without endangering your financial future.

Oh, and if you are so inclined, but have not yet found one, keep a sharp eye out for that rock solid life partner too. 

URL for CNBC article www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/self-made-millionaire-do-this-instead-of-following-your-passion/ar-BBTKMTr