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Passion is about desiring something so much that you’re willing to suffer for it. Nothing is only good, fun, and easy all the time. To pursue a passion means that you are willing to endure and suffer to bring about that meaning in the world (see last week’s introduction to suffering for you passion for more).
Your passion is worth the pain that comes with pursuing it— the late nights, the rejection, the moments you want to quit.
Pain is often proof you’re building something that matters. People who push through difficulty for what they love eventually find real satisfaction in their work.
I want to get more specific about the way we think about passion. Passion is energy and desire. Energy and desire comes from meaning. Meaning comes from your experiences and story.
If passion is about desiring an impact, then do whatever you can to give as much of yourself and your time to making that impact.
Most people will spend a majority of their lifetime working. 8 hours a day. 5 days a week. 48-52 weeks a year. 30+ years of their life. That’s more time spent working than doing any other singular activity outside of sleeping. Listen to this:
Work will take your life.
You will give your life to something. The majority of the world has to do so. If you have the power and privilege to choose, choose how you give your life. Give it to something that matters.
You’re going to sacrifice much of your life to work— work toward something meaningful.
You don’t need to choose money.
You don’t need to choose safety.
You don’t need to choose security.
You don’t need to choose a pension and private school for the kids.
Sometimes those things matter, but I’m here to push you on this.
Choose a life that makes an impact.
I want you to have the permission to stop listening to the voices that tell you to choose the easy path. Take a leap. Listen to your desire for more. Chances are, your favorite stories are about someone who was living for something. I want you to live for something.
Dream bigger.
Let your heart break and your soul be moved by someone or something bigger.
Suffering for your passion is not something to take lightly, but it is very worthwhile.
You will work a lot in your life. You will suffer to make ends meet. Since you have to work anyway, at least work on something that moves you.
In the comments, how have you experienced the intersection suffering for your passion? How do you remind yourself of your goals when things feel too difficult? Click here to comment! Many people find that their struggles can often lead to profound insights and growth. When faced with obstacles, I remind myself to focus on why I started in the first place, which helps reignite my motivation. It’s in these challenging moments that we can truly reflect and, ultimately, discover your true passions, guiding us toward a more fulfilling path.
Related Reading
- Perspective, Resilience, Fulfillment, and Entrepreneurship with Omar Zenhom
- Making Art, Defining Your Passion, and Finding Convergence with Corey Frey
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does pursuing your passion have to hurt?
Because anything worth building asks something of you. The pain isn’t a sign you’re on the wrong path— it’s often proof you’re stretching toward something real. Skill takes time, rejection teaches you what works, and the discomfort you feel now is the cost of getting good.
How do I know if the pain is worth it or if I should quit?
Ask what the pain is teaching you. If you’re learning— getting sharper, more honest about your work— that’s growth pain, worth staying in. If you’re just enduring with nothing changing, that’s a different signal. Trust the difference.
What if the pain means I’m not good enough?
Fear like that shows up for almost everyone doing meaningful work. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough— it means you care about the outcome. The fear doesn’t have to disappear before you keep going. You just carry it with you and work anyway.
How long does it take before passion stops feeling so painful?
Longer than you want, honestly. But it doesn’t stay this hard forever— the pain shifts as your skill catches up to your vision. Give it real time, not a weekend of trying. Most people quit right before the gap starts closing.
