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[MBTI General] which one is more important: passion or talent?

which one is more important when choosing a career?

  • Passion

    Votes: 10 24.4%
  • Talent

    Votes: 3 7.3%
  • if possible, combine Passion and Talent

    Votes: 26 63.4%
  • Money!

    Votes: 2 4.9%
  • Other considerations (pls explain below)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    41

niki

New member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
210
MBTI Type
INFP
when choosing a career.

for example: many people (if not every person) have told me that i'm very musically-talented, as i can play different musical instruments (i taught myself how to play guitar, bass-guitar, and drums. my main instruments is piano & keyboard), i can sing, dance. also compose, arrange in different type of songs like symphonic kind of songs, also pop, rock, R&B, even metal.
i always hum the tunes, and i just have these 'creative juices' & big 'imaginations' for making up great music, and even dance routines.
yet at the same time, i really just can't live a day without music, without humming-the-tunes, thinking about a song (music), and even without suddenly composing a song inside my head! (does this mean a passion too?)

but lately, other than music, i've been really reminiscence of my childhood dream: to become an Astronomer (especially after watching movie "Contact", and watching some of Carl Sagan's clips in Youtube), because i also looove to know about this Vast Universe, beginning of universe, & stuff like that!
i even have known & read astronomical books ever since Primary school!
but unfortunately, i don't think my analytical & care-to-details & math skills (which are important in the science field) are not that good, and especially very miniscule, compared to my "rare" vast music talents!
so if this also means a passion (something i love to do),..then which one i should prioritize more?
in Music, or career in Science (astronomy)?

I've often heard people say "pick a career that you'll enjoy doing" which seems like a Passion. But sometimes i think, isn't it supposed to be what you're good at doing (ie: talents, innate skills) , for a pick of your career ?

OR,
is Money the most important thing (primary reason) when choosing a career???? (ie: high-paying career) , as what my parents would often force me to do..

need a help!
i'm a bit confused here.
and i need to quickly move-on, as i'm afraid 26 yrs old might already be a little bit too LATE to start things over again (even against my parents' approval!) :(
thanks!
 

Siúil a Rúin

when the colors fade
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
14,037
MBTI Type
ISFP
Enneagram
496
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
There tends to be overlap between talent and passion which goes both ways: people tend to be passionate about whatever they can do well, and people tend to increase skill at whatever they are passionate about.

I have seen plenty of people with intense career burnout and mental drain. This can even happen with career for which they once felt passion. A career consumes the majority of your life and time. There is some balance needed, but I tend to lean in the direction of the importance of having a sense of personal ownership and passion for the career you choose. It can require flexibility and imagination to figure out how to make whatever is most important to you into your career. It is important to find some way to work it out though. I can't imagine investing so much energy in something that is experienced as hum-drum and uninspiring.

Both careers you list are difficult. Both are quite competitive. Playing guitar can give you an edge for earning a living in a practical way. There is a lot of demand for guitar lessons. It's not a lot of money, but it is possible to eek out a living with performing and teaching. Astronomy is difficult in terms of getting established in academia. Music is also, but it does have that second, practical application in the community. It's also easier to teach guitar classes than other types of instrumental classes which can open the possibility for a little better per hour income. Also, guitar provides a variety of performance opportunities in bands and combos moreso than an orchestral instrument. There is basically no money in orchestral playing unless you can beat out extremely gifted competition. The supply-demand is not in the musicians favor for good orchestral posts. The Twin Cities MN area is actually pretty good for bands and combos to get work from what I understand. If you like teaching, you could major in secondary ed and take a double emphasis in physics and music. That way if one stands out as a preference, you can stay on the same educational track. High school kids respond best to certain types of personalities. I never considered mine to be a good match, so that is something to consider.
 

Kyrielle

New member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
1,294
MBTI Type
INFJ
Enneagram
4w5
Passion. Talent means absolutely nothing if you don't bother to attune and use those skills related to your talents.

Then there are things that overlap between talent and passion. Where doing and improving something you're talented at awakens your passion for the activity. Generally, I think when this happens, you find yourself feeling incredibly satisfied.

Also, no one ever sticks with one career all their life. People bounce around at intervals to different things throughout their lives. And it's very important to do that, because it will allow you to expand your skill sets and find new things to learn. People change, as well. What may be satisfying for them now, might not be as satisfying for them later, or they might not be at the right "place" for doing certain things.
 

GargoylesLegacy

Kickin' Ass since 1984
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
1,399
MBTI Type
ESTP
Enneagram
8w9
Hm, I think it is most important that whatever you do is fun for you. And having fun mostly means to have the talent AND the passion for it. It would make no sense (to me) if you would make something you have the talent for, but bores the crap out of your skull. And neither would it make much sense to do something you have the passion for, but no talents. Even if this would work better than "talent: yes - passion: no". Because you *could* learn. But if you don't it can be quite frustrating.
Personally, I have experienced both of those things and in the end it failed; just because it is better to have some sort of balance between those things.

The money factor *could* play a role; especially if you have a family to feed or so; but personally I would rather pick a job with less payment and more fun / passion than vice versa. The money just doesn't really pay up for all the frustration or boredom.
 

Synarch

Once Was
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
8,445
MBTI Type
ENTP
Talent is passion plus time. Therefore, passion is most important. This is true in every dimension of life. Passion is the quintessence of life. Desire breaks through walls. Desire conquers. Desire lights you on fire. Without this fire you are an empty shell.
 

Moiety

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
5,996
MBTI Type
ISFJ
There tends to be overlap between talent and passion which goes both ways: people tend to be passionate about whatever they can do well, and people tend to increase skill at whatever they are passionate about.

Not with me.

I like the arts, I'm good at "humanities" (et relatable) and I'm walking the science path. :thumbdown:



To answer the topic : passion. If you are going to dedicate your life to something you are good at but that gives you no enjoyment, you are not living life. Obviously your job is not everything in your life. And hobbies are important too...it really depends on the person.
 

Edgar

Nerd King Usurper
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
4,266
MBTI Type
INTJ
Instinctual Variant
sx
Talent is passion plus time. Therefore, passion is most important. This is true in every dimension of life. Passion is the quintessence of life. Desire breaks through walls. Desire conquers. Desire lights you on fire. Without this fire you are an empty shell.

Talent and passion are insignificant in comparison to willingness and knowledge of whose dick you need to suck in order to get that sweet sweet gig.
 

EcK

The Memes Justify the End
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
7,708
MBTI Type
ENTP
Enneagram
738
talent.
People rarely have it, so they'll say passion is the thing.
If you have talent and find passion in doing things right and finding new perspectives you'll accomplish alot.
If you just have passion, you'll never make up for the talent, whatever people want to believe.

The prevalence of talent is just an effect of our democratic era.
 

Synarch

Once Was
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
8,445
MBTI Type
ENTP
Talent and passion are insignificant in comparison to willingness and knowledge of whose dick you need to suck in order to get that sweet sweet gig.

My philosophy is: suck your own dick.
 

Moiety

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
5,996
MBTI Type
ISFJ
talent.
People rarely have it, so they'll say passion is the thing.
If you have talent and find passion in doing things right and finding new perspectives you'll accomplish alot.
If you just have passion, you'll never make up for the talent, whatever people want to believe.

The prevalence of talent is just an effect of our democratic era.

Well that's the whole point isn't it? What is "accomplishing alot"? To me is to be 40 and still be happy (or not completely depressed) about going to work everyday.
 

nightning

ish red no longer *sad*
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
3,741
MBTI Type
INfj
I mean it metaphorically. Metaphorically suck your own dick, and mine too while you're at it.

Well I think it'll be easier to suck somebody else's dick then your own... ;)

Anyways, back on topic. Is talent really passion + time? I mean sure, you need to put in some time to discover where you talent lies (trial & error testing). But I think it's more innate than learnt. After all, you can be really good at something but hate doing it...
 

Synarch

Once Was
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
8,445
MBTI Type
ENTP
Well I think it'll be easier to suck somebody else's dick then your own... ;)

Anyways, back on topic. Is talent really passion + time? I mean sure, you need to put in some time to discover where you talent lies (trial & error testing). But I think it's more innate than learnt. After all, you can be really good at something but hate doing it...

How were you able to do anything you know now? Did it emerge from nothingness fully formed? No, it was all intermediate steps.
 

ThatsWhatHeSaid

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
7,263
MBTI Type
INTP
Enneagram
5w4
when choosing a career.

for example: many people (if not every person) have told me that i'm very musically-talented, as i can play different musical instruments (i taught myself how to play guitar, bass-guitar, and drums. my main instruments is piano & keyboard), i can sing, dance. also compose, arrange in different type of songs like symphonic kind of songs, also pop, rock, R&B, even metal.
i always hum the tunes, and i just have these 'creative juices' & big 'imaginations' for making up great music, and even dance routines.
yet at the same time, i really just can't live a day without music, without humming-the-tunes, thinking about a song (music), and even without suddenly composing a song inside my head! (does this mean a passion too?)

but lately, other than music, i've been really reminiscence of my childhood dream: to become an Astronomer (especially after watching movie "Contact", and watching some of Carl Sagan's clips in Youtube), because i also looove to know about this Vast Universe, beginning of universe, & stuff like that!
i even have known & read astronomical books ever since Primary school!
but unfortunately, i don't think my analytical & care-to-details & math skills (which are important in the science field) are not that good, and especially very miniscule, compared to my "rare" vast music talents!
so if this also means a passion (something i love to do),..then which one i should prioritize more?
in Music, or career in Science (astronomy)?

I've often heard people say "pick a career that you'll enjoy doing" which seems like a Passion. But sometimes i think, isn't it supposed to be what you're good at doing (ie: talents, innate skills) , for a pick of your career ?

OR,
is Money the most important thing (primary reason) when choosing a career???? (ie: high-paying career) , as what my parents would often force me to do..

need a help!
i'm a bit confused here.
and i need to quickly move-on, as i'm afraid 26 yrs old might already be a little bit too LATE to start things over again (even against my parents' approval!) :(
thanks!

There are really a lot of different ways to approach this question. I would start by looking at the ACTUAL CAREERS you could have in both fields. Often times when people choose careers, they base their decision off of their exposure in books or classes, which is much different from the actual career. For instance, lots of people choose law school because they like analyzing problems and creating arguments. A legal career has that element, but most of the work time is spent doing other, less interesting, more laborious activities. You might like astronomy because you like wondering about stars and think they're neat. That's good, but is that really what the work will be like? (I'm sure the answer is NO.) Also, if that feeling fades, will there be something else that keeps you connected to your job?

Once you've identified the different possible careers, you could ask yourself 1) what will it take to get to that career? how hard will it be? how long will it take? how available is it? 2) how much would I enjoy that career, on a day-to-day basis? can I deal with the shitty and boring parts? can I get absorbed in it? will I get paid sufficient to sustain my standard of living? Asking these questions factors in passion and talent already.
 

Qre:us

New member
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
4,890
Talent and passion are insignificant in comparison to willingness and knowledge of whose dick you need to suck in order to get that sweet sweet gig.

SEXIST!!! What about eating the clam chowder??? ---> :jew:
 

ajblaise

Minister of Propagandhi
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
7,914
MBTI Type
INTP
With enough talent, only a hint of motivation is required for success. While all the passion in the world won't necessarily get you anywhere, as far as a career is concerned.

Talent can also breed passion.
 
Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
1,511
MBTI Type
ENTP
People with passion and no talent are painfully annoying. See: first rounds of American Idol
 

Tiny Army

New member
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
679
MBTI Type
EN?P
Enneagram
7
I have been told I have talent but it is really my drive that has made me a decent artist. I don't think either is more important than the other. You need passion to get going and you need talent to finish the job.
 
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