The Myth of the "Big Idea" & How to Start Your Next Chapter Without a "Passion"

You're ready to leave the corporate world and start something of your own. You're filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. But there's a nagging question that's holding you back: "What's my passion?"

We've been told that the key to a fulfilling life is to "find your passion" and turn it into a business. But what if you don't have a single, all-consuming passion? What if you have multiple interests, or what if you're not sure what you're passionate about at all?

This is the "passion myth," and it's a major roadblock for many professionals who are stuck in their jobs. The pressure to find a "big idea" can be paralyzing, leading to analysis paralysis and a feeling of being "stuck."

The truth is that you don't need a "passion" to start your next chapter. In fact, the most successful entrepreneurs are often not the ones who start with a "big idea," but the ones who are skilled at identifying and solving problems.

The "Problem-First" Approach

Instead of starting with a "passion," try starting with a "problem." What are the problems that you see in the world? What are the needs that are not being met?

Here are a few places to look for problems:

• Your own experiences: What are the challenges that you've faced in your own life? What are the products or services that you wish existed?

• Your industry expertise: You have decades of experience in your industry. What are the inefficiencies, the frustrations, the "pain points" that you've witnessed firsthand?

• The world around you: Pay attention to the conversations you have, the articles you read, the trends you observe. What are the problems that people are complaining about?

The "Small Bets" Strategy

Once you've identified a problem, the next step is not to create a detailed business plan or seek venture capital funding. The next step is to make a "small bet."

A "small bet" is a low-risk, low-cost experiment to test your assumptions and validate your idea. It could be anything from a simple landing page to a one-day workshop to a small-batch product run.

The goal of a "small bet" is not to make a lot of money, but to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible. It's about getting feedback from the real world and iterating and improving your idea over time.

The "Ikigai" Framework

As you start to make "small bets" and experiment with different ideas, you may find that a passion begins to emerge. This is where the Japanese concept of "ikigai" can be helpful.

"Ikigai" is the intersection of four things:

• What you love: What are the things that you're genuinely interested in and enjoy doing?

• What you're good at: What are your unique skills and talents?

• What the world needs: What are the problems that you can solve for others?

• What you can be paid for: What are the things that people are willing to pay you for?

The sweet spot, where all four of these circles overlap, is your "ikigai." It's the place where your passions, your skills, your values, and the needs of the market all come together.

The Takeaway

You don't need a "big idea" or a "passion" to start your next chapter. All you need is a willingness to experiment, to learn, and to serve others.

Start with a problem. Make small bets. And trust that the path will become clear as you move forward. Your "passion" may not be a lightning bolt of inspiration, but a slow burn that ignites over time as you do the work that matters.

Until next time,

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Sources & Transparency Note

This article is based on the sources listed below. If you find any inaccuracies or have suggestions for improvement, please leave a comment. Your feedback is welcome.

References & Further Reading

"Ikigai." Wikipedia. The Wikimedia Foundation, 5 December 2025. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai.