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Passion vs. Paycheck

By Hidden Brain Media

Hidden Brain examines the evolving concept of work as a calling, tracing its transformation from religious vocations during the Protestant Reformation to today's secular careers. Through Jennifer Tosti-Kharas' 20-year research, the episode explores how viewing work as a calling affects job satisfaction, performance, and personal well-being.

The episode presents case studies of individuals who pursued their callings, including Paul Gauguin, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey, to illustrate both the benefits and potential drawbacks of this mindset. While people with strong callings often show greater resilience and commitment to their work, they may also experience career tunnel vision, resist feedback, and become vulnerable to exploitation and burnout. The discussion highlights how the emotional impact of an unfulfilled calling can parallel that of a failed romantic relationship.

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Passion vs. Paycheck

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Passion vs. Paycheck

1-Page Summary

The Concept of Work as a Calling

The concept of work as a calling has evolved from its religious origins during the Protestant Reformation, when it primarily referred to religious vocations, to today's broader understanding that encompasses secular careers. This shift gained momentum in the early 2000s, influenced by figures like Steve Jobs who promoted the idea that work should be more than just a means of earning money.

The Benefits and Risks of Following a Calling

Jennifer Tosti-Kharas' 20-year research reveals that people who view their work as a calling typically experience higher job satisfaction, increased engagement, and better performance indicators, such as lower absenteeism. However, her studies also show that strong callings can lead to significant downsides, including overconfidence, resistance to feedback, and vulnerability to exploitation and burnout. The emotional impact of failing to achieve one's calling can be as devastating as a failed romantic relationship.

Notable Examples of Pursuing Callings

The journey of Paul Gauguin illustrates the personal costs of pursuing a calling. After leaving his career as a stockbroker and abandoning his family to pursue art in Tahiti, Gauguin died in obscurity but later became a renowned artist who influenced generations. Similarly, Marie Curie's dedication to radioactivity research led to groundbreaking discoveries and two Nobel Prizes, but likely contributed to her early death. Oprah Winfrey's story demonstrates how a strong belief in one's calling can drive success, as she rose from poverty to become a media mogul and philanthropist.

Psychological and Behavioral Effects

Tosti-Kharas' research demonstrates that individuals with strong callings show greater resilience and organizational commitment, particularly evident among military officers who are less likely to feel career plateaus. However, these strong callings can also lead to "career tunnel vision," where individuals ignore negative feedback and objective assessments of their situations. The emotional toll of unfulfilled callings can be significant, leading to demoralization and depression, while an obsession with work can damage personal relationships and overall well-being.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • "Career tunnel vision" is a phenomenon where individuals with a strong sense of calling become overly focused on their career goals to the point of ignoring or dismissing external feedback or alternative perspectives. This narrow focus can lead to a lack of awareness about potential pitfalls or shortcomings in their approach, potentially hindering their overall growth and development. It can also result in neglecting other aspects of life, such as personal relationships and well-being, as the individual prioritizes their work above all else. This tunnel vision can create a sense of rigidity and inflexibility in how they perceive their career path, potentially limiting their ability to adapt to changing circumstances or feedback.
  • The personal costs of pursuing a calling can include sacrificing stability, facing societal criticism, and experiencing isolation due to unconventional choices. Individuals may encounter financial struggles, strained relationships, and emotional turmoil as they prioritize their calling over traditional expectations. The pursuit of a calling often demands significant personal sacrifices and can lead to uncertainty, self-doubt, and challenges in maintaining a work-life balance. Despite potential rewards, such as fulfillment and impact, the journey can be arduous and fraught with challenges that test one's resolve and resilience.
  • The emotional impact of failing to achieve one's calling can be profound, akin to the distress experienced from a failed romantic relationship. Individuals who are unable to fulfill their perceived life purpose may face feelings of disappointment, disillusionment, and a sense of unfulfillment. This can lead to emotional distress, demotivation, and a questioning of one's identity and life's purpose. Such experiences can significantly impact mental well-being and overall life satisfaction.

Counterarguments

  • The idea that work should be a calling may not be universally applicable, as it can be a privilege to choose work based on passion rather than necessity.
  • The concept of a calling may romanticize certain professions and undervalue essential but less "glamorous" work.
  • High job satisfaction and engagement linked to viewing work as a calling might not solely be due to the calling itself but could also be influenced by other factors such as workplace environment, supportive management, and job security.
  • The notion of a calling could be used by employers to justify excessive work demands and poor working conditions, under the guise of passion and dedication.
  • The examples of Gauguin, Curie, and Winfrey may not represent the average person's experience and could set unrealistic expectations for success.
  • The emphasis on individual resilience and commitment might overlook systemic issues that affect job satisfaction and career progression.
  • The concept of a calling may not account for the fluidity of modern careers, where individuals often change paths and may have multiple callings.
  • The idea of a calling might pressure individuals to find their "true purpose," leading to dissatisfaction with otherwise fulfilling work.
  • The focus on the emotional toll of unfulfilled callings may overshadow the potential for growth and learning through failure.
  • The narrative of pursuing a calling at all costs may ignore the importance of work-life balance and the value of leisure time for mental health and creativity.

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Passion vs. Paycheck

The Concept of Work as a Calling

The concept of work as a calling has evolved from religious roots to encompass secular pursuits, often emphasizing meaningful work but sometimes leading to overconfidence or burnout.

The Evolution of Work as a Calling: From Religious Roots to Secular Pursuits

The idea of work as a calling originated with religious individuals who felt a calling to priesthood and has now extended to secular professions.

Spiritual Calling in Work Emerged In Protestant Reformation, Later Expanded To Secular Careers

The podcast traces the concept of work as a calling back to the Protestant Reformation when it was primarily about serving God as clergy. However, the idea has expanded beyond religious vocations. In the early 2000s, influenced by figures like Steve Jobs, society embraced the idea that work should be a calling, not just a paycheck.

The Appeal and Power of Meaningful Work

Those who view their work as a calling typically experience higher job satisfaction, increased work engagement, and resilience.

Viewing Work as a Calling Boosts Job Satisfaction, Engagement, and Resilience

Jennifer Tosti-Kharas and her co-authors conducted a 20-year survey, finding that people with strong callings report greater satisfaction in both work and life, are more engaged at work, and show behavioral indicators of better performance, such as lower absenteeism.

Strong Callings Motivate Hard Work

Tosti-Kharas' research confirms that those with strong callings tend to invest more in their work, often resulting in innovative thinking and diligent effort. Her studies demonstrate empirically that individuals with stronger callings are more likely to put forth considerable effort on tasks that are relevant to their calling.

Downsides and Risks of a Strong Calling

However, a strong calling can result in overconfidence, resistance to feedback, financial sacrifices, strained work relationships, and even burnout.

Callings May Lead To Overconfidence and Resistance to Feedback

Tosti-Kharas' studies, particularly with musicians, show that people deeply committed to their callings often ignore feedback and advice against pursuing their career path. Strong callings can also lead ...

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The Concept of Work as a Calling

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The concept of work as a calling originated in religious contexts, where individuals felt a divine calling to serve in roles like priesthood. Over time, this idea expanded to secular professions, emphasizing the idea that work should be more than just a job but a meaningful pursuit aligned with one's values and purpose. This evolution highlights how the notion of work as a calling transcends religious boundaries to encompass a broader understanding of finding purpose and fulfillment in one's professional endeavors.
  • Colin Huggins is an example used to illustrate the emotional toll and challenges that can arise when someone pursues their calling but faces difficulties in ...

Counterarguments

  • The idea that work should be a calling may not be universally applicable, as some individuals prioritize work-life balance, financial stability, or other personal values over finding deep meaning in their work.
  • Emphasizing work as a calling might contribute to a culture that undervalues jobs perceived as less meaningful, despite their essential role in society.
  • The concept of a calling may put undue pressure on individuals to find passion in their work, which can lead to dissatisfaction if their job does not align with their perceived calling.
  • Job satisfaction and engagement can also be influenced by factors other than a sense of calling, such as workplace environment, management practices, and fair compensation.
  • Innovation and hard work are not solely the result of a strong calling; they can also stem from a variety of motivations, including personal ambition, economic necessity, or a desire for professional development.
  • Overconfidence and resistance to feedback are not inherent to having a strong calling; they can also arise fr ...

Related Shortform Content

When Passion Leads to Burnout
Jennifer Moss

We’re often advised that if we choose work we’re passionate about, it won’t really feel like work. But this mindset can lead to overwork and burnout—with serious consequences, especially for people in “purpose-driven” professions.

The Pathless Path
Paul Millerd

Like most people, Paul Millerd was taught to place conventional, full-time work at the center of his life—but it made him miserable. Now, he’s a freelance blogger, consultant, career coach, and online course creator—and he’s much more satisfied with his life. In The Pathless Path, Millerd encapsulates his non-traditional approach to career success and lifelong happiness: deprioritizing work and pursuing a more meaningful, creative life through freelancing instead.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the historical trends that have led most Americans to prioritize work, the disadvantages of prioritizing work, and an alternative to this way of life—freelancing. You’ll also learn how and why Millerd shifted from the traditional workforce to the world of freelancing and his advice for making the transition yourself. In our commentary, we’ll talk about other perspectives on work and what makes life meaningful, and we’ll provide additional tips for those interested in freelancing.

Flow
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Although we live longer today and have more material wealth than ever, many people feel anxious rather than happy. In Flow, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offers an antidote. People are happiest when they feel in control of their inner thoughts and feelings and experience a “flow state”: a sense of enjoyment, purpose, and meaning.

Csikszentmihalyi explains: how controlling and ordering your consciousness brings flow and enjoyment, which personality characteristics produce flow, and how to find flow in your work and relationships.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Passion vs. Paycheck

Examples of People Who Have Pursessed Callings

This article profiles individuals who have abandoned conventional paths to follow their true passions, despite significant sacrifices.

Paul Gauguin: From Stockbroker to Tahitian Painter

Paul Gauguin's journey from a Parisian stockbroker to a renowned painter in Tahiti showcases the costs of pursuing one's calling.

Gauguin's Art Pursuit Cost His Family and Relationships

Gauguin’s passion for art took a significant toll on his personal life. After losing his job following the stock market crash in 1882, Gauguin decided to leave everything behind to pursue art, ultimately leading him to Tahiti. In doing so, he abandoned his family in France, including leaving his family without financial support and not returning even upon the death of his favorite child.

Gauguin's Influential yet Complicated Legacy

Though he struggled in his lifetime, Gauguin posthumously became renowned in the art world, influencing peers like Van Gogh and future generations, notably Picasso. His Tahitian work hangs in prestigious museums like the MFA in Boston. Despite his success, his legacy is controversial due to his treatment of women and his family, and the fact that he died in obscurity in Polynesia.

Pioneering Work and Sacrifices of Marie Curie

Marie Curie dedicated her life to studying radioactivity, which led to significant scientific advancements but also to personal sacrifice.

Curie's Dedication to Radioactivity Research Led To Her Health Problems and Early Death

Shankar Vedantam mentions Curie as an example of someone whose calling came at a high cost. Curie devoted herself entirely to her research, a dedication believed to have contributed to the health problems that led to her early death.

First Woman Nobel Laureate's Profound Impact

Curie’s achievements included being the first woman Nobel laureate and the first person to be ...

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Examples of People Who Have Pursessed Callings

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Gauguin's legacy is indeed influential, it's important to critically assess the romanticization of his life choices, which involved significant neglect of his familial responsibilities.
  • The celebration of Gauguin's work must also acknowledge the colonial context of his time in Tahiti and how this influenced his portrayal of Tahitian people and culture.
  • Marie Curie's story, while inspirational, might inadvertently contribute to the glamorization of self-sacrifice in science, potentially overshadowing the importance of work-life balance and personal well-being.
  • The narrative around Curie could be expanded to include the contributions of other scientists and collaborators who were also instrumental in the discoveries attributed to her.
  • Oprah Winfrey's success story, while remarkable, may not fully account for the systemic barriers that still exist for many people, which can't be overcome by belief and resilience alone.
  • Winf ...

Actionables

  • Reflect on your personal calling by journaling for 15 minutes each day, focusing on what brings you joy and purpose. This practice can help you identify your passions and motivations, similar to how Oprah Winfrey recognized her calling. Start by writing about moments when you felt most fulfilled and work towards outlining steps to integrate those elements into your daily life.
  • Create a "Legacy Mindset" vision board that includes both your professional goals and the personal values you want to be remembered for. This can serve as a daily reminder to balance ambition with ethical considerations, inspired by the mixed legacy of figures like Paul Gauguin. Use images, quotes, and symbols that represent your aspirations and ethical standards, placing the board somewhere you'll see it regularly.
  • Volunteer in a field related to your interests to test you ...

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Passion vs. Paycheck

Psychological and Behavioral Effects of a Calling

The psychological and behavioral impacts of having and pursuing a calling can be complex and multifaceted, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas’ research reveals how callings contribute to job satisfaction and performance, but they can also distort judgment and bring emotional baggage when unfulfilled.

Callings Boost Job Satisfaction, Engagement, and Performance

Tosti-Kharas' study indicates that when individuals feel a strong calling toward their work, they engage with their tasks more enthusiastically and put in greater effort. This enjoyment leads to higher engagement and often contributes to an employee’s best work. Additionally, employees with strong callings feel more deeply connected to their work and may utilize more resources to achieve their goals.

Strong Callings Drive Greater Task Effort

A significant finding from Tosti-Kharas’ research is that a strong calling can be a source of resilience. For example, military officers with a stronger calling to serve are less likely to feel they have reached a career plateau, which translates into a stronger commitment to the organization, even in the face of adversity. Passion and commitment to a calling can also bolster individuals’ resilience, offering them a way to overcome setbacks and persevere even when conditions are difficult.

Callings Can Distort Judgment and Decision-Making

However, Tosti-Kharas has found that callings, particularly strong ones, can lead to a distortion of judgment and decision-making. In the context of musicians with a strong calling, this can manifest as overconfidence and a tendency to ignore negative feedback from mentors and teachers. Consequently, they may persist in pursuing a career in music, dismissing critical advice and potential warning signs. Moreover, individuals with strong callings may experience "career tunnel vision," wherein their unwavering belief in thei ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Psychological and Behavioral Effects of a Calling

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A "calling" in the context of work typically refers to a deep sense of purpose or meaning associated with one's career or vocation. It goes beyond just a job or profession and involves a strong emotional connection and a feeling of being drawn to a particular type of work. People with a calling often feel a sense of fulfillment, passion, and alignment with their values when engaging in activities related to their calling. This concept suggests that work is more than just a means of earning a living; it is a source of personal meaning and contribution to something larger than oneself.
  • "Career tunnel vision" is a phenomenon where individuals with a strong calling become overly focused on their career goals, ignoring potential obstacles or alternative paths. This intense focus can lead them to disregard feedback or warnings that may challenge their beliefs in their destined success. It can result in a narrow perspective that prioritizes career aspirations above other aspects of life, potentially impacting personal relationships ...

Counterarguments

  • Callings may not be the sole or primary driver of job satisfaction; other factors like work environment, compensation, and work-life balance also play significant roles.
  • The positive effects of callings on engagement and performance might be confounded by other variables such as prior experience, training, and innate talent.
  • Greater task effort and resilience attributed to callings could sometimes be a result of external motivations or obligations rather than the calling itself.
  • The idea that callings lead to distorted judgment might not account for the fact that some individuals with a strong calling may also possess a high level of self-awareness and critical thinking skills.
  • The emotional costs of unfulfilled callings could be mitigated by a strong support system, adaptive coping strategies, or a redefinition of ...

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When Passion Leads to Burnout
Jennifer Moss

We’re often advised that if we choose work we’re passionate about, it won’t really feel like work. But this mindset can lead to overwork and burnout—with serious consequences, especially for people in “purpose-driven” professions.

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Everyone wants to make a living doing meaningful work that aligns with their values and makes them happy. However, many people feel stuck in the wrong life doing unfulfilling work. They hope that once they find their “passion,” everything will magically fall into place. According to Stanford professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, this attitude hinges on the belief that there’s only one path to a meaningful life and limits your ability to experience joy and satisfaction.

In Designing Your Life, Burnett and Evans argue there are multiple paths to career and life happiness—learning how to recognize and evaluate these paths increases your chances of experiencing satisfaction. They share principles from their popular life design courses to help you explore multiple paths and purposefully plan a balanced life in which you can truly thrive.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the authors’ methods for purposefully planning a happy and meaningful life. We’ll also expand on their ideas with research and practical advice from other self-help practitioners.

What Makes a Job Satisfying? Here’s What to Look For.
Shortform Explainers

How satisfied are you in your current job? It may depend on how meaningful you feel the work is—90% of workers are willing to earn less for more fulfilling roles. However, employees in any role can increase their satisfaction by understanding their strengths, recognizing how their work helps others, and seeking opportunities to grow.

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