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Sasna Nawran (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer


Passion and discipline are two words that often sit at opposite ends of the spectrum when achieving goals. 

We often hear about the importance of following our passions, of doing what we love, but what about discipline? Why does it sometimes feel like one is so much easier than the other?

Let’s break it down.

Passion Vs. Discipline

Passion is the fire within us that ignites when we think about something we love. It’s the excitement we feel when pursuing our hobbies, interests or dreams. 

When we’re passionate about something, the universe aligns and everything falls into place effortlessly. We’re driven by an internal force, pushing us forward with enthusiasm and determination.

But what about discipline? It’s not as glamorous, not as exhilarating. Discipline is the steady, consistent effort we put in day after day to reach our goals. 

It’s waking up early to hit the gym, studying for that exam even when we’d rather be doing something else or sticking to a budget when we’d rather splurge.

Why Does Passion Feel Easier Than Discipline?

Passion feels good. It fills us with joy, energy and purpose. When we’re passionate about something, we’re naturally drawn to it. It doesn’t feel like work; it feels like play. 

We’re willing to invest our time, energy and resources into it because it brings us happiness and fulfillment.

Discipline, on the other hand, requires sacrifice. It means saying no to immediate gratification in favor of long-term goals. 

It’s about delaying pleasure, putting in the hard work and staying focused, even when the going gets tough. And let’s face it, that’s not always easy. It takes willpower, determination and self-control—qualities that can be in short supply, especially when temptation lurks around every corner.

Another reason passion might feel easier than discipline is that passion is often driven by intrinsic motivation. In other words, it comes from within. 

When we’re passionate about something, we don’t need external rewards or incentives to keep us going. The joy and satisfaction we get from pursuing our passion are reward enough.

Discipline, on the other hand, often requires extrinsic motivation. We need outside forces—like deadlines, accountability partners or rewards—to keep us on track. Without these external factors, it’s easy to procrastinate, make excuses or give up when things get tough.

External factors such as societal expectations, financial pressures or family obligations can influence the ease of pursuing passion versus discipline. 

For example, someone passionate about art may face criticism or skepticism from others, while someone disciplined in their studies may receive praise and support.

Moreover, people have different strengths and weaknesses, which can affect their inclination toward passion or discipline. Some individuals naturally excel in areas they’re passionate about, while others thrive on structure and routine.

Which Is Important For Success: Passion Or Discipline

Passion and discipline are mutually important for success. Passion is the spark that lights the fire, but discipline is what keeps it burning. 

Sometimes pursuing our passion requires significant time, money and effort. It can also fade over time. Hence, without discipline, passion can give only short-term success. 

Likewise, discipline without passion can lead to discontentment, burnout, stress and other negative feelings. 

Hence, you must learn to balance passion and discipline. For example, if you’re passionate about writing, create a plan to improve your writing skills further and stick to it. Then, you can become successful in it. 

Athletes are the best examples of balancing passion and discipline. Legendary athletes are passionate about a particular sport and, at the same time, they adhere to a strict training schedule to maintain and improve their performance.

When we’re passionate about something, discipline comes more naturally because we’re motivated to put in the work. Likewise, when we’re disciplined in our efforts, our passion grows stronger because we see the progress we’re making.

We need to identify our passions—the things that light us up, that make us come alive—and pursue them. At the same time, we also need to develop the habits, routines and systems that will help us stay disciplined. 

Finding a balance between passion and discipline is essential for long-term success. While passion fuels inspiration and creativity, discipline provides the structure and consistency needed to turn passion into tangible achievements. 

Integrating both can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling journey towards our success! 

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