Aspiration needs scaffolding. Rather than a leap of faith, adopt a test-and-learn approach: Herminia Ibarra’s Working Identity (2003) advocates small experiments—side projects, stretch roles, volunteer gigs—that let you sample passions with limited risk. Peter Sims’s Little Bets (2011) shows how small, affordable trials compound into breakthroughs. Meanwhile, Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You (2012) cautions that passion often follows competence; build rare skills that increase autonomy and meaning. Practically, set a learning cadence (weekly hours), publish or ship on a schedule, and seek communities that reward process over prestige. In this way, Burns’s preference becomes executable: you protect livelihood, grow capability, and let love for the craft—not external scoreboards—steer the long run. [...]
