Matt Patterson

Jerry Seinfeld on why chasing your "passion" is embarrassing, and what to do instead: Seinfeld pushes back against the popular advice to find your one great passion in life. In his view, it's not just unnecessary, it's a little ridiculous. "Let go of this idea that you have to find this one great thing that is my passion. My great passion with your shirt torn open and your heaving pec muscles. It's embarrassing." Instead of chasing something dramatic, he offers a quieter alternative: "Find fascination. Fascination is way better than passion. It's not so sweaty." He explains why the heavy-breathing version of passion is actually counterproductive: "Just be willing to do your work as hard as you can with the ability you have. We don't need the heavy breathing and the outstretched arm from your passion. It makes co-workers uncomfortable in the cubicle next to you." Then Seinfeld offers what he calls his three real keys to life, no jokes: "Number one, bust your ass. Number two, pay attention. Number three, fall in love." @JerrySeinfeld elaborates on the first one: "You obviously already know whatever you're doing, I don't care if it's your job, your hobby, a relationship, getting a reservation at M Sushi, make an effort. Just pure stupid… effort." And here's the part worth sitting with: "Effort always yields a positive value even if the outcome of the effort is absolute failure of the desired result. This is a rule of life. Just swing the bat and pray is not a bad approach to a lot of things."