The speaker, an economist, discusses why individuals will fail to have a great career. The main reasons include:
1. Not pursuing one's passion due to fear, laziness, or making excuses.
2. Settling for a "good" career, which is no longer a viable option in today's job market.
3. Believing that being "completely competent" is sufficient, when in reality, it's not enough to stand out.
4. Using the excuse that one values human relationships over accomplishment, but ultimately being afraid to pursue their passion.
5. Failing to take action due to fear of failure, looking ridiculous, or trying.
The speaker emphasizes that passion is not the same as interest and that finding one's passion requires exploring multiple options. They also highlight the importance of taking risks and pursuing one's dreams, using the example of a child wanting to become a magician. The speaker concludes by stating that individuals will fail to have a great career unless they overcome their fears and take action towards pursuing their passion.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker is an economist.
2. The speaker believes that people who want a "good" career are unlikely to succeed.
3. The speaker argues that there are only two types of jobs: great jobs and high-workload, high-stress jobs, with little in between.
4. The speaker believes that pursuing one's passion is essential for a great career.
5. The speaker notes that many people make excuses for not pursuing their passions, such as thinking they need to be a genius or that it's too hard.
6. The speaker argues that being "completely competent" is no longer enough to guarantee a great career.
7. The speaker notes that many people confuse interest with passion.
8. The speaker believes that people should explore multiple interests to find their true passion.
9. The speaker argues that using family and relationships as an excuse for not pursuing one's passion is not valid.
10. The speaker believes that people are often afraid to pursue their passion because they fear failure or looking ridiculous.
11. The speaker notes that having a great career is not mutually exclusive with having good relationships.
12. The speaker believes that people should take responsibility for their own choices and not blame external circumstances for their failure to pursue their passion.
13. The speaker notes that having regrets about not pursuing one's passion can be painful.
14. The speaker's talk was given in 2012.