For love or money? More wisdom from Sir Ken Robinson

So far, Sir Ken Robinson has taught us that finding your Element is finding your passion - and living in it.  It helps to surround yourself with like-minded people, seek out mentors, and have the courage to make the leap.  We know that luck can help, but isn't required, and it's never too late to change the direction of your life.  But should you pursue your passion for love - or money?  Here's our take on Sir Ken's advice from the next chapter of The Element.

Rhonda & the Bridgeway team

What's the difference between and amateur and a professional?  At it's most basic level, a professional earns a living at a craft, while the amateur doesn't.  But as Sir Ken points out, sometimes the word "amateur" suggests the talent behind it is of a lower quality.  He argues an exception - that sometimes, the distinction is about choice, not quality.  Sometimes, someone has a talent for something, but choose not to make a living that way.  By definition, they're amateurs, but not "amateurish".

Sir Ken brings us back to the Latin word that amateur is derived from - amator - which means, "lover, devoted friend or someone who is in avid pursuit of an objective."  They do something because they love it, and have found their Element in something other than their jobs.  He shares examples of the man who studies German literature, but is a performance-level cellist on the side; the car salesman who has a passion for photographing surfers, and has published several of his photos in magazines; and the top-level executives who continue to pursue dreams of becoming musicians by playing in after-hours rock bands.  Whether it's not practical to leave a current job, or a choice they've made, all make time to pursue their passions - and be in their Element - through their amateur pursuits.

Many of us are defined (at least in part) by what we do for a living.  But not everyone is in their Element at work.  Sir Ken says that makes it even more important to find your Element somewhere else.  Why?  It enriches your life.  "Doing the thing you live and that you do well for even a couple of hours a week can make everything else more palatable."  Sometimes, it can lead to a transformation.  Consider Khaled Hosseini, who immigrated to the US and became a doctor.  A good life, but his real passion was for writing.  He began a novel about two boys growing up in Kabul.  The Kite Runner sold more than four million copies.

Sir Ken sees pursuing your passion outside of work as a type of recreation.  It helps bring balance into our lives between making a living and making a life.  "Personal happiness comes as much from the emotional and spiritual fulfillment that this can bring as from the material needs we meet from the work we may have to do."  Discovering the Element won't make us richer (especially if you give up a high-paying job to pursue a less lucrative passion). but it can bring richness to our lives.

Don't forget, you can see Sir Ken Robinson live in Halifax this April.  Visit www.teachingthewaychildrenlearn.com for more information on our conference, Emergent Learning: Turning Tides in 21st Century Education.