I write a lot about passion.

I’ve said many times that people should pursue what they’re passionate about because that’s where they will ultimately find happiness and fulfillment.

A lot of people also think about what they’re most passionate about when they consider changing careers. In fact, many people quit their jobs because they want to do something they’re more passionate about. They’re sick of doing the same old thing every month for a salary that doesn’t complement the value they provide. And they’re ready to move on.

So passion seems the way out of boredom and repetition and also the path toward realizing one’s greater purpose in life.

But there seems to be a misunderstanding among people in that regard. They believe doing what they’re passionate about means that they will love working on their goals every day.

But that’s a naive and romantic idealization of working on what you love. Let me explain more.

1. Passion as a Pull Factor

When you discover what you’re passionate about, you will feel a strong fresh pull toward it. You start thinking about it every day. You imagine yourself partaking in the tasks that will lead to its realization. And you will also imagine the joy you will feel when you’re working on it each and every day.

In fact, once you’re aware of what you are most passionate about, you’ll find yourself taking action toward it almost immediately. You might watch Youtube videos about it, you might research it, and you might even begin to consider serious ways to actually realize it. It’s a really beautiful experience.

However, people assume that they’re always going to be motivated to work just because they’re working on what they’re most passionate about. They falsely believe that their passion, especially when they first recognize it, is like a fire that will never die down. They also believe that they don’t need to feed that fire to keep it glowing.

But they’re mistaken.

2. Passion Can’t Do Everything

Even though working on your passion is going to feel empowering, you’re going to find out eventually that passion can’t do all the work for you. In fact, when you’re well into the process of working on your passion, you’re going to meet roadblocks that aren’t so easy to overcome.

That can put a serious dent in your motivation levels. And some people even begin to question their passion. They start asking themselves critical questions about the path they’re on and whether or not they should go back to being safe at their jobs. They rethink their decision not because they like their jobs, but because they have false beliefs about their passion and it what it can or supposed to do for them.

So accept very early on that passion can’t do all the work for you. Don’t quit. If you quit now, then you’re quitting too soon on yourself and on your dreams. It’s okay to struggle. In fact, you should absolutely struggle when you’re after your dream. It helps to start anticipating struggle.

3. Expectations

When you’re working on your dream, you have to recognize that you’re not going to always love it. But in order to keep going after it, I suggest that you think about the following questions:

• Would you work on it if there was no monetary outcome from it?
• Would you work on it if there was 70% chance of failure?
• Would you work on it even when there are other commitments you have to attend to?
• Would you work on it when you don’t feel like working?
• Would you work on it when you experience a rejection or when others put your work down?

If you answered “No” to any of the questions above, then save yourself the hassle of starting. You’re not serious about your dream. I say that because there are some people who enjoy thinking about their dreams when they’re on their couch eating potato chips and watching TV. It entertains them to think about achieving their dreams. But they’re not serious.

If you’re serious about it, then you would answer “yes” to all the questions that I’ve listed above. That’s the only way to keep going when things get tough.

4. Aim to be the Best

You don’t have to hold negative and pessimistic thoughts about your goals and dreams. I only wanted to give you a dose of reality and help you recognize that if you think realizing your dream is easy, then you should correct those beliefs as soon as possible. If not, you will be disappointed.

At the same time, however, you should look to gain a positive outcome from your experience. You should aim to improve yourself by pushing yourself to be the best you can be. That means working long hours and spending your time cultivating and sharpening your skill set. You will never regret becoming really good at what you love. But you will regret not trying.

I therefore think that any attempt to go after your passion must stem from a genuine desire to realize a hidden power in yourself. It starts with the belief that you’re much more than what you’re demonstrating and you’re ready to explore. Something has sparked a desire inside of you to push yourself. You now feel much more ready to look for the strengths that you have within you. You also feel ready to externalize your potential and finally see its impact in the world.

5. Do it Because You Love it

Being passionate about something means loving it unconditionally. I know this usually applies to friends and lovers more than it applies to your goals and dreams. However, I also think you should love what you’re doing unconditionally to keep going. If you’re a writer, and your writing is not coming out the way you want it, don’t give up on it too soon. Love it unconditionally. Recognize that your hard work will pay off. Just don’t judge yourself or what you love too soon.

Be patient. It will pay off.