Passion Isn’t About Success

Passion isn’t about whether you succeed.

It’s about whether you love the work—even when it doesn’t lead anywhere.

This episode explores the difference between passion and ambition, why they often get tangled, and how that confusion shapes the way we work, create, and define success.

I explore:

The difference between passion (process) and ambition (outcome)

Robert Vallerand’s Dualistic Model of Passion

Obsessive passion vs harmonious passion

Why external validation (money, status) distorts what we think we love

How early success markers can reshape motivation over time

Why finding your passion later might actually protect it

Case Study: WhiplashA story about talent, suffering, and the cost of confusing greatness with love of the craft.

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