The Joy of Sticking with It

In a world dominated by hustle culture and endless pressure to achieve, the idea of persisting at something just because you enjoy it might seem indulgent. We are often encouraged to focus on outcomes—be it success, recognition, or financial reward—yet there's a quieter, less celebrated path: sticking with something simply because it brings you joy. And this pursuit, it turns out, may have far greater long-term benefits than we realize.?

Many of us are familiar with the phrase "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." But in an era where people hop from one trend to the next, following the latest opportunity or monetizable passion, the idea of staying with something solely because it feels fulfilling can seem quaint, almost naive. However, there is growing evidence that persisting in an activity you enjoy—not for external rewards but for the internal satisfaction it brings—can foster deeper resilience, creativity, and even success over time.?

I witnessed this firsthand growing up, as my parents pursued hobbies completely unrelated to their professional lives, activities in which they were initially far from experts. My father’s dedication to flower arranging and my physician mother’s passion for designing dresses seemed perplexing to me as a child. It was only later, when I ventured into writing fiction myself, that their persistence began to make sense. Their devotion wasn’t about mastery or recognition—it was about the joy they found in the creative process, a lesson I came to understand much later in life.?

The Quiet Power of Persistence?

Take the example of musicians, athletes, or writers who dedicate years, even decades, to their craft. Many of these individuals will tell you they didn’t stick with it solely for the potential rewards. In fact, much of their early years were filled with little to no recognition. What kept them going was the sheer pleasure of the practice itself—be it playing a challenging sonata, perfecting a basketball shot, or crafting the perfect sentence.?

Psychologists describe this as "intrinsic motivation," where the drive to continue an activity comes from the internal joy and satisfaction it brings. Research has consistently shown that people who engage in activities they are intrinsically motivated by tend to experience more sustained effort and resilience in the face of setbacks. Unlike extrinsic goals, such as money or status, which can fade or disappoint, intrinsic goals build a deep foundation of passion that drives us forward, even when external rewards are absent.?

The Long-Term Benefits of Enjoyment?

Studies have also demonstrated that people who persist with hobbies or interests they love often end up achieving high levels of expertise and success, almost as a byproduct of their enjoyment. Anders Ericsson, a psychologist known for his work on deliberate practice, famously found that experts across fields typically engage in thousands of hours of focused, often repetitive, practice. But what many forget is that this kind of effort is only sustainable when it is powered by a genuine love for the activity itself.?

This brings us to an important point: sticking with something you enjoy may be one of the most powerful ways to improve over time. The joy you derive from the activity acts as fuel, helping you through moments of frustration or doubt. Over time, this steady commitment results in growth that outpaces those who may burn out when their efforts are motivated solely by external factors.?

Consider the story of J.K. Rowling, who persisted with writing despite years of rejection. She wrote Harry Potter not because she was certain it would be a blockbuster hit, but because she loved the world she had created. Similarly, many tech entrepreneurs speak of tinkering with code or building software in their garages long before they dreamed of billion-dollar companies. For them, the joy of the process—learning, experimenting, and creating—was reason enough to keep going.?

Rediscovering Passion in a Goal-Oriented World?

For many adults, the idea of doing something for pleasure can feel like a luxury. The modern workplace, with its endless metrics and performance reviews, rarely rewards joy for its own sake. Yet some of the most creative breakthroughs happen when we lose ourselves in the flow of an activity we love. In such moments, the stress of the outside world falls away, and we experience a sense of connection, both with ourselves and the task at hand.?

In Japan, this idea is captured by the concept of ikigai—a reason for being that lies at the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. For some, this balance is found in their professional work, while for others, it is found in hobbies, side projects, or creative pursuits. Regardless, the key lies in staying with what you love long enough to reap its deeper rewards.?

Conclusion: The Lasting Rewards of Sticking with It?

The benefits of persisting with something because you enjoy it aren’t just personal—they ripple outwards. People who find joy in their work, hobbies, or pursuits tend to inspire others with their passion and dedication. They are more likely to experience flow, the state of being fully immersed in a task, which leads to greater creativity and productivity.?

In the end, sticking with what you love isn’t about reaching a specific destination. It’s about the journey, the quiet satisfaction of mastery, and the deeper fulfillment that comes from doing something for the sheer pleasure it brings. In a world focused on results, perhaps the most radical thing we can do is persist in the pursuit of joy.?

After all, the best rewards often come when we’re not chasing them at all.?