Harvard Expert Reveals the Dark Side of Loving Your Job After Interviewing 200 High Achievers

Be cautious about the risks involved when you're passionate about your work.

If you have a strong enthusiasm for something, you may be inclined to invest every waking moment into it. This passion could cause you to overcommit yourself beyond what you can manage without noticing, or prevent you from taking needed breaks, potentially resulting in severe exhaustion, as mentioned. Jon M. Jachimowicz , a professor specializing in leadership and organizational behavior at Harvard Business School.

When investigating this subject, Jachimowicz spoke with 200 highly successful individuals ranging from athletes and artists to leaders of Fortune 500 companies. Each participant shared similar experiences where their ambitions occasionally turned into burdens, intensifying feelings of self-doubt and stress within them. recently told LinkedIn's "The Anxious Achiever" podcast.

"They've entered a new stage in their lives where they view their passions as things that require careful maintenance, nurturing, and management," he explained.

Jachimowicz’s work also hits close to home. He relocated his life from the UK to New York to delve into global economic disparities and immerse himself fully in research at Columbia University. However, within just one year, this enthusiasm waned, replaced by feelings of cynicism and diminished self-belief. As a result, he experienced a sense of aimlessness and being lost at sea.

Vacation won’t solve that issue," Jachimowicz stated firmly. "There’s no doubt about it.

According to data, one in five Americans claim they have a genuine passion for their work. a 2023 Zippia report If this applies to you and you wish to remain in that situation, it’s crucial to establish firm limits and identify symptoms of burnout at an early stage, as Jachimowicz suggested.

"People feel like it's more permissible, more legitimate to assign additional unpaid tasks To have more enthusiastic employees," he stated. "These individuals are more inclined to view it as a chance for growth and development, or even as a form of service... due to their deep passion for their work.

How to sustain your interests—and your career

Occasionally putting in extra effort at your job can be beneficial. However, consistently doing so might jeopardize your well-being, both physically and mentally. Therefore, voice your concerns if you start feeling overburdened, as suggested by Jachimowicz. .

There could come a time when you begin doubting the tasks at hand, experiencing reduced efficiency or feeling mentally drained. It might be necessary to take a break, reduce your responsibilities, or engage in introspection to assess if this path aligns with your goals. As noted by Jachimowicz, undergoing such an evaluation can prevent what she calls “passion whiplash,” characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows during your working hours.

This variability can be mentally draining. As he noted, "It isn’t beneficial for performance."

Jachimowicz noted that interests can evolve over time. He recommends securing employment where you can frequently utilize your skills and stay away from detrimental daily environments.

“I’m passionate about cooking,” he stated. “But I won’t become a chef. Having seen too many episodes of ‘The Bear,’ I’ve realized that my working style doesn’t match up with what goes on in professional kitchens.”

Jachimowicz's remarks mirror a proposal made by billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, who's advocated for pursuing your interests during leisure time — while turning your proven strengths into a profession.

I was once enthusiastic about becoming a pro basketball player," Cuban stated in a 2018 video for Amazon, "but then I discovered my vertical leap was only 7 inches. Insights for Entrepreneurs series.

Rather than pursuing other ventures, he dedicated himself to areas where he excelled: sales and entrepreneurship. In 1990, Cuban sold his software start-up, MicroSolutions, to CompuServe for $6 million, which made him a millionaire. His second business, the audio streaming service Broadcast.com, was purchased by Yahoo in 1999 for $5.7 billion, propelling him into the ranks of billionaires.

Cuban ultimately returned to basketball by purchasing the NBA's Dallas Mavericks in 2000. sold his majority stake In the previous year, the team was sold for $3.5 billion, with a minority stake being retained along with control over basketball operations.

I became proficient in areas where I invested significant effort," stated Cuban. "Many individuals discuss passion; however, that shouldn’t be your primary emphasis.

Disclosure: holds the sole syndication rights for "Shark Tank" on cable networks, where Mark Cuban serves as one of the judges.

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