The Intersection of Passion, Happiness and Process

Success is often perceived as reaching the top—a promotion, a gold medal, or a business triumph. However, many who achieve these milestones come to realize that success alone doesn’t guarantee fulfillment or happiness. True success lies not just in reaching an outcome but in embracing the journey fueled by passion, joy, and continuous growth. The key is learning to find happiness in the process rather than tying it to future outcomes. What I have found from my experience is what someone thinks is success may not be applicable for us that is why it is important to write down what success means to us personally. Comparison with others is a needless distraction and everyone is on their own journey and only that individual can define what success means to them.

Success, passion, and happiness are interconnected. Passion gives purpose to the journey, happiness sustains us through challenges, and focusing on the process ensures sustainable progress. As Jim Collins noted in Good to Great find out what you are passionate about, what you can be the best in and what gives an economic denominator. This is applicable to personal lives as well.

Passion gives meaning to the pursuit of excellence. It creates intrinsic motivation, where you engage in activities for the joy they bring, not just the rewards they offer. Lionel Messi is a prime example—his love for the game keeps him pushing boundaries, even after countless titles. In business, Oprah Winfrey built an empire not by chasing fame but by following her passion for storytelling and empowering others. Identify activities that make you lose track of time. These are the things you are passionate about—lean into them. This is being in the state of flow. Sometimes vigorous exercise can also put you in a great frame of mine where you lose track of time or reading a book that you love. Find activities that ignite your passion and you will be happy you did.

Happiness isn’t a by-product of success; it’s an integral part of the journey. Simone Biles, after stepping back from competition to focus on her mental health, emphasized that joy and well-being are just as important as medals. She also came back in this year’s Olympics and showed what the true champion mindset is. In business, Richard Branson finds happiness in the freedom of exploration, enjoying each venture rather than fixating on outcomes. Research shows that happy individuals are more productive, creative, and resilient, making happiness a powerful driver of success. Be happy where you are while planning your next summit.

Practice gratitude for small wins and everyday progress. Happiness lies not in achievements but in appreciating the steps along the way. We all struggle with appreciating what we have and this is the hedonic treadmill we are on where anything we get is never enough. The trick is to enjoy what we have while striving for more.

Passion alone isn’t enough—discipline transforms passion into meaningful work. Kobe Bryant balanced his love for basketball with a regimented training routine that few could match inspiring everyone around him with this relentless work ethic. Similarly, Warren Buffett’s passion for investing is backed by disciplined research and thoughtful decision-making. Success emerges from consistent effort over time, regardless of temporary setbacks.

Build routines around your passions—small, daily actions compound over time into meaningful progress. Rituals like getting up early, exercising, reading etc. should be made automatic as that is the way we can do them without will power. As scientists studying the subject have emphasized will power can be depleted but what lasts is habits that are permanent. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is an excellent book on the subject.

Both passion and happiness can waver in the face of obstacles. Resilience allows you to keep going when things get tough. Michael Jordan, despite facing defeats, used every setback as fuel to improve. J.K. Rowling endured multiple rejections before the success of Harry Potter—her love for storytelling sustained her through adversity. Resilience comes from knowing that challenges are part of the journey, not a deviation from it. Reframe setbacks as learning experiences. Each failure brings you closer to mastery. As Napoleon Hill said “Every adversity carries it with the seed of an equivalent benefit.”

Both passions and sources of happiness change over time. Success lies in recognizing when it’s time to pivot. Roger Federer extended his career by changing his play style to preserve his passion for tennis. In business, Netflix evolved from DVD rentals to streaming, staying relevant by adapting to changing demands. Adaptability ensures that the pursuit of success remains aligned with who you are becoming.

Regularly evaluate your goals. Adjust them as your passions and circumstances evolve. There is no certainty in a world of uncertainty. Be nimble, flexible and be ready to pivot in every area of your life with superior information.

Great leaders cultivate passion and happiness within their teams. Phil Jackson, the celebrated basketball coach, focused not only on winning but on building camaraderie and joy in his teams. Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft by fostering a culture of curiosity and empathy, encouraging employees to find meaning in their work. When people are passionate and happy, they bring their best to the table, creating collective success. His book “Hit Refresh” is a master class on leading with empathy.

Inspire others discover joy in their work by recognizing strengths and celebrating contributions. The key goal of a leader is to inspire others to action.

Champions in both sports and business understand that focusing solely on results can lead to burnout. Naomi Osaka stepped away from the tennis court to realign her priorities, showing that success isn’t just about winning but about staying connected to what matters personally. Similarly, Elon Musk emphasizes iteration and learning over immediate perfection—progress comes from engaging with the process, not obsessing over the final product.

Set process-oriented goals, such as mastering a skill or improving a habit, rather than outcome-based goals like winning an award. This is exactly what Carol Dweck emphasized in her book “Mindset” where she spoke about learning goals versus outcome goals. It is also better to have a growth mindset than fixed mindset.

Consistency in effort is more sustainable when it’s accompanied by passion and joy. Cristiano Ronaldo is known not just for his talent but for his unwavering consistency, driven by his love for the game. In the corporate world, Jeff Bezos attributes Amazon’s success to a focus on long-term thinking and daily operational excellence rather than short-term wins. Success becomes a way of life when effort feels meaningful and joyful.

Develop rituals that integrate both passion and purpose into your day-to-day activities. For example Jeff Bezos says he sleeps 8 hours and that’s why he is able to make good decisions. So if one of the busiest leaders finds time to take care of himself I think we can all try to do the same. The key is to develop rituals that last and this is a repetition from one of my earlier points but worth noting that rituals are the key to install great habits.

Collaboration allows people to share passions and multiply happiness. The Golden State Warriors, led by Steve Kerr, thrived not just because of individual talent but because they embraced teamwork and mutual respect. In business, companies like Apple thrive by fostering cross-functional collaboration, where different passions converge to create extraordinary products.

Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you. Success is more meaningful when it’s shared. No one can achieve anything alone as brilliantly articulated by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers.

Success is not an endpoint; it’s a continuous journey of becoming—shaped by passion, sustained by happiness, and defined by the process. When we focus on enjoying the journey, success becomes more than just an external achievement—it becomes an internal state of growth, learning, and fulfillment.

Happiness lies not in what we achieve but in how we live every day. Passion keeps us excited about what’s next, and investing in the process ensures that each step matters. Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or in our personal lives, the secret to success is this: stay connected to what you love, find joy in the journey, and let the outcomes take care of themselves.

Success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about who you become along the way. As Harvey Mackay says in one of his books do what you love, love what you do and deliver more than you promise. There are no traffic jams on the extra mile. I agree and hope you find this article inspiring to come with your definition of success unique to your strengths and then live according to that definition. That is the key to life-long happiness. The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.