Are you tired of chasing your passions and still not making a living? It's a common struggle, but the solution may be simpler than you think.
Instead of searching for the elusive intersection of your skills, interests, and market demand, focus on finding problems that are painful for others and becoming dangerous at solving them.
It may not sound glamorous, but it's a proven path to financial success and fulfillment.
In this post, we'll explore the power of solving painful problems and the importance of becoming dangerous at what you do.
By the end, you'll have a new framework for thinking about your career and a renewed sense of purpose. So let's get started.
The pursuit of happiness
The pursuit of happiness is a long and winding road, and for many of us, it involves finding a career that aligns with our passions and skills.
The conventional wisdom is that the sweet spot lies at the intersection of what we're good at, what we enjoy, and what the market will pay for. But let's be real: for the majority of people, this is an ideal state that is hard to achieve.
So, what's the secret to getting paid well and quickly? It's simple: find problems that are painful for others and become dangerous at solving them.
Think about it: when you have a problem that's causing you pain, you're willing to pay to have it fixed. And the more painful the problem, the more you're willing to pay.
On the other hand, if you can become dangerous at solving these problems, you'll be in high demand and can command a higher price for your services.
But what does it mean to be "dangerous"? It's not about becoming an expert in a field (although that certainly helps). It's about being good enough to convincingly solve the problem at hand.
As the philosopher Aristotle once said, "Practical wisdom is the ability to discern the best course of action in any given situation."
In other words, it's about being able to see the bigger picture and understand how to navigate complex situations.
Play Go, not Chess
Take the board games of chess and go, for example. Chess is difficult to get good at, but once you pass a certain threshold, it becomes easier to master.
Go, on the other hand, is easy to grasp but harder to master. If you need to get good fast, you're better off playing go.
The key to a rewarding and lucrative career may not be in following your passions or finding your niche, but rather in identifying painful problems and becoming dangerous at solving them.
This approach may require a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace new challenges, but the payoff can be huge.
By focusing on making a real impact and solving pressing issues, you'll not only make a good living, but you'll also find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is often elusive in today's world.
So don't be afraid to think outside the box and consider new opportunities that may not align with your traditional idea of success. You never know where they might lead you.
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