I am so tired of this same idea popping up over and over on the blogosphere. It's complete nonsense, as other commenters have pointed out. But what makes me really angry is that it really devalues the hard work of people who do accomplish amazing things.
"She just won a gold medal in the Olympics? Oh, it wasn't hard for her, she loves to do it. If only I could just find the thing I really love, I could get up off this couch and really make something of myself, you know?"
Really? Personally, I think the more people recognise that hard work can actually be enjoyable, the better. I don't think that recognition devalues the achievement of those who accomplish amazing things.
At an old job, I used to deal with a co-worker who'd complain continuously about the work they had to do. I figured they were trying to, in an odd way, impress us ("Oh, X hates their job - it must be really difficult"). I really do think some people would benefit from recognising that it's possible to achieve great things while also finding some form of enjoyment in the work involved.
And I honestly don't think the Olympian cares what the viewer on the couch thinks!
"She just won a gold medal in the Olympics? Oh, it wasn't hard for her, she loves to do it. If only I could just find the thing I really love, I could get up off this couch and really make something of myself, you know?"
Yeah, I'm sure.