Not just when we are doing what we are doing. But also when we are past that.

Is it the desire to achieve something? Or the love of doing that thing? Or the pressure or compulsion to complete what we started? Also, what makes some people continue well beyond their time to still go back and contribute and enhance their body of work? What makes them want to still do it even when others their age have hanged their boots?

This week, as I reflected on what separates the best from the rest, I looked back at some of the success stories of our times. It of course involved the famous athletes, artists and geniuses in other fields but also business people and others who achieved something significant in their life.

I also looked at my own experiences as well as of those whom I have personally known and observed. What made them tick in a specific situation that made them succeed? What made me go on and give it my all to achieve something?

Now, this is a question which probably doesn’t have one single correct answer.

For some of us, it is the desire that is overpowering and helps us tide over all the roadblocks. For others, it is the compulsion of the situation which pushes them to do that extra bit, try that one last time, before they make it.

But for whatever it is worth, what I realised is that it is almost always ‘Love’ that keeps us going even after everything is done and dusted!

I say that because while desire or compulsion can help us achieve a few wins, only love for something can push us to continue not just when the going is good or when we are winning but even when we are well past our prime. Because, it induces us to go out there and contribute again and again until we absolutely cannot.

And this applies to all of our life situations too…

We continue to work with our partner and in most cases, as the relationship progresses, love deepens and our contribution increases in tandem.

We continue to nurture our passion or hobby and as we get into later stages of life, the urge to do something in that area becomes more prominent as our love for it grows.

We invest ourselves in our children and continue to guide them and lead them in their life even after we know that they have grown up and are perhaps independent to do everything that they ought to do in life. Only because of our love for them.

And so on…

As for work, those of us who fall in love with what they do, tend to continue working far longer than the others and continue contributing to their field in whatever capacity they can.

That’s perhaps why they say, do something you love and you will never have to go back to work again!