Do What You Love and Success Will Follow

by Frank Roche on October 14, 2007

Steve: “I’m going to speak 15 languages fluently.”

Me: “That’s fantastic. You’re already well on your way. Your French is great. Now you’re studying Chinese, your friend’s parents speak Spanish to you.”

Steve: “Yeah, but I’m not that motivated in school. What I mean is that I’m not focused on academic subjects.”

Me: “You’re young. You do great in school — an ‘A’ student. But you are motivated by languages. That’s just fantastic.”

Me (to myself): “What kind of pressure must I put on him to make him think that it’s only math, science, and English that matter?”

Me (to Steve): “Do what you love and success will follow.”

Me (to myself): “Show him that you mean it.”

  • Anonymous

    If I could get paid for eating grilled cheese sandwiches I would.

    I would also add, that in addition to planning to be able to do what you love – which is of course the correct advice, there are two other necessarily related admonitions. Prepare through hard work. (I know his old man and his grandfathers know that one.) Secondly, most importantly, know that its not about fulfilling any plan – even the plan to do what you love, but to stay open and flexible enough to see what life throws your way. Be ready to be opportunistic.

  • Anonymous

    If I could get paid for eating grilled cheese sandwiches I would.

    I would also add, that in addition to planning to be able to do what you love – which is of course the correct advice, there are two other necessarily related admonitions. Prepare through hard work. (I know his old man and his grandfathers know that one.) Secondly, most importantly, know that its not about fulfilling any plan – even the plan to do what you love, but to stay open and flexible enough to see what life throws your way. Be ready to be opportunistic.

  • Donna Cloud

    Did you go to Neshaminy High School? Tried to reach me (maiden name Mueller) through Classmates.com? I’m just trying to find the Frank Roche who left an email for me.
    Thanks,
    Donna
    donnacloud55@hotmail.com

  • Donna Cloud

    Did you go to Neshaminy High School? Tried to reach me (maiden name Mueller) through Classmates.com? I’m just trying to find the Frank Roche who left an email for me.
    Thanks,
    Donna
    donnacloud55@hotmail.com

  • http://www.knowhr.com/blog Frank

    Hi Donna, it must be my doppleganger. I didn’t go to Neshaminy and haven’t been on Classmates. I do know there are quite a few guys walking around with my name. ;-)

    Anon, that is the right advice. It is about working hard and allowing yourself to take in plenty of inputs. I think the hard work one is essential. It’s what’s missing in a lot of people.

  • Frank

    Hi Donna, it must be my doppleganger. I didn’t go to Neshaminy and haven’t been on Classmates. I do know there are quite a few guys walking around with my name. ;-)

    Anon, that is the right advice. It is about working hard and allowing yourself to take in plenty of inputs. I think the hard work one is essential. It’s what’s missing in a lot of people.

  • http://paxromano.blogspot.com/ PaxRomano

    You are such a great dad.

    My father’s advice to me was, “Get a job, and get your head out of the clouds”.

  • Pax Romano

    You are such a great dad.

    My father’s advice to me was, “Get a job, and get your head out of the clouds”.

  • http://www.knowhr.com/blog Frank

    Pax, thanks, you and I had dads who were brothers.

    Anon, I’d go with the grilled cheese, too. LOL.

  • Frank

    Pax, thanks, you and I had dads who were brothers.

    Anon, I’d go with the grilled cheese, too. LOL.

  • Bill Strahan (Annon Above)

    My Dad’s riff on that advice was get a job and get the hell out of my house.

  • Bill Strahan (Annon Above)

    My Dad’s riff on that advice was get a job and get the hell out of my house.

  • http://www.knowhr.com/blog Frank

    Ah, Biil, that makes sense. Your dad, Pax’s dad and my dad…all cut from the same cloth — get out there and get working, it was good enough for me, it’ll work for you.

  • Frank

    Ah, Biil, that makes sense. Your dad, Pax’s dad and my dad…all cut from the same cloth — get out there and get working, it was good enough for me, it’ll work for you.

  • http://www.blatherskiteblog.com/ CraftyMoni

    Ha! I have to laugh at Bill and Pax’s comments. My dad was (and still is) sort of in the middle of those attitudes.

    I loved this post. This is going to be my mantra. I need to remember that advice for myself.

  • http://pappergank.com/ms/ Moni

    Ha! I have to laugh at Bill and Pax’s comments. My dad was (and still is) sort of in the middle of those attitudes.

    I loved this post. This is going to be my mantra. I need to remember that advice for myself.

  • http://www.knowhr.com/blog Frank

    Moni, thanks! It’s not a bad mantra. I have to stick to it myself.

  • Frank

    Moni, thanks! It’s not a bad mantra. I have to stick to it myself.

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