The Passion Trap: How doing what you love can lead to burnout

We spend years searching for work we love. We’re told to “find our purpose”, “follow our passion,” and “do what lights us up”. And when we finally get there – when we’ve built a business or a career that excites us – it feels incredible.

Until, one day, it doesn’t.

Not because we’ve stopped loving it. But because loving it too much has made it impossible to switch off.

I’ve seen this again and again over the past 10+ years of coaching and mentoring solopreneurs, founders, and ambitious professionals.

They start their businesses or pivot their careers because they want more freedom, flexibility, and fulfilment. But somewhere along the way, the very thing they love begins to consume them.

Unlike the burnout that comes from toxic workplaces or soul-sucking jobs, this is different. It’s sneaky. It doesn’t feel like burnout at all (until it does).

When you’re passionate about what you do, when your work is deeply fulfilling, it doesn’t feel like work. You don’t resent the long hours or the extra effort. You take pride in it. And so, you keep going. You say yes to more opportunities. You push through exhaustion. You squeeze in just one more project.

The real danger? You won’t recognise the signs until it’s too late.

I know, I know… “But Anna, this would never happen to me. I love what I do! I’m working hard, but it’s different because I’m passionate, and I have endless energy…”

I hear this all the time. And I get it. When you’re in the thick of it, when things are exciting and opportunities are flowing, it’s easy to think burnout is something that happens to other people.

Until, one day, you realise you haven’t taken a proper day off in months. Or your creativity starts feeling like a chore. Or you wake up one morning, and the work that once felt effortless suddenly feels heavy.

By the time you start feeling tired, depleted, or unmotivated, the damage is already done.

The hidden risks of being ‘always on’

While you might not feel like you’re burning out, other areas of your life might be suffering in ways you don’t immediately notice.

Your relationship with your partner might be slowly eroding because you’re always checking your emails. Your friendships might be fading because you keep saying, “Let’s catch up soon.”Your health might be taking a hit, but you don’t realise it until you’re forced to slow down.

And the hardest part? It doesn’t feel like overwork; it feels like commitment.

You’re driven. You care deeply. You’re building something meaningful. But if you don’t set intentional boundaries, you risk waking up one day wondering where the time went – why your kids suddenly seem older, why your relationships feel distant, why you’ve lost the joy that fuelled you in the first place.

Why ‘work-life balance’ advice falls short

The typical advice – “set better boundaries,” “work fewer hours”, “take time off” – misses the point, however.

For many of us, the issue isn’t external pressure. It’s internal drive.

We don’t want to work less. We love what we do. But we also need to make sure we can keep doing it for the long haul.

So the real question isn’t: How do I work less?

It’s: How do I work in a way that’s actually sustainable?

Designing for longevity, not just growth

So if ‘work less’ isn’t the answer, what is? How do you keep the passion alive without letting it run your life? I’ve spent years figuring this out – not just with my clients, but for myself too. And it all comes down to designing your work intentionally so you can keep going for the long haul. Here’s how:

1. Know what truly can’t be dropped.

Not everything is equally important. Some things – your health, your closest relationships, your wellbeing – are glass balls that shatter if dropped. Others – projects, social media engagement, minor business decisions – are rubber balls that will bounce back. And some, frankly, are lead balls that you should drop entirely.

2. Create rhythms, not rigid rules.

Instead of aiming for ‘perfect’ work-life balance, build seasons of intensity and rest. Maybe you go all-in on a big project for a few months, but then take real downtime. Maybe you create deep focus hours in the morning and fully unplug in the evening.?

Sustainability isn’t about strict limits; it’s about designing work to fit your life.

3. Rest with intention.

Rest is not just about taking breaks. It’s about making space for what actually refuels you – human connection, creative play, experiencing the world beyond your work.

Rest isn’t a pause from productivity. It’s what makes long-term success possible.

The mindset shift that changes everything

If you want to build something that lasts, you have to believe that there will be more.

More clients. More sales. More opportunities. More time.

When you operate from scarcity – when you fear that saying no to one opportunity means missing your only shot – you say yes to everything. You fill every gap in your calendar. You work late into the night. You sacrifice time with loved ones, thinking you’ll make it up later.

But later isn’t guaranteed. *cue ominous music*

What would it look like to design your business and career not just for short-term success, but for the long haul?

To trust that you don’t have to take every opportunity right now?

To prioritise the things that matter most – not someday, but today?

Because at the end of the day, maybe success isn’t just about what you build. It’s about the life you get to live while you’re building it.

The idea that “do what you love” can backfire if you’re not intentional about boundaries is something that isn’t talked about enough. But here’s the truth:

If you want this to be sustainable, if you want to keep loving what you do without burning out, you have to design your work to support your life – not the other way around.

So, here’s the question:

What’s one shift you can make this week to work in a way that fuels you – without draining you?

Because you don’t have to wait until you hit a wall to make a change. And you don’t have to sacrifice your wellbeing for your ambition.

You can have both. But only if you choose to.

?? For independent experts, coaches, and consultants: If you want to increase your income, impact, and freedom while building a business that truly works for you, message me about the Business Accelerator, a high-impact group mentoring programme to help you grow sustainably.

?? For HR and business leaders: I work with fast-growing companies to develop future-ready leaders, drive sustainable performance, and prevent burnout. If leadership development, executive coaching, or high-impact training are on your agenda, let’s talk.