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You cannot tell yourself where things would lead. Finding what you want to do next is a job, and like any job, you have to put in the hours.

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Ira Glass

Goucher College Commencement 2012, 2012

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The Story Behind This Quote

Ira Glass, the beloved host and creator of 'This American Life,' spoke at Goucher College's 2012 commencement. Rather than offering the typical advice to 'follow your passion,' Glass took a more honest and practical approach. He acknowledged that most graduates don't yet know what their passion is, and that discovering it requires active effort. Glass framed the search for meaningful work as itself a form of work — something that requires showing up, putting in time, and being open to unexpected turns. Drawing from his own winding career path in public radio, he emphasized that the most interesting lives are often the ones that couldn't have been planned in advance.

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