When our cause is young, we feel so intensely that it seems wrong to take it slow. This is our inability to see that burning ourselves out isn't going to hurry the journey along. The critical work that you want to do will require your deliberation and consideration. Not passion. Not naïveté. It'd be far better if you were intimidated by what lies ahead - humbled by its magnitude and determined to see it through. Leave passion for the amateurs. Make it about what you feel you *must* do or say, not what you care about and wish to be. Then you will do great things. Then you will stop being your old, good-intentioned, but ineffective self.
In the quote from Ryan Holiday's book "Ego Is the Enemy," he highlights the urgency felt when embarking on a new cause. This intensity can lead to a destructive pace where individuals risk burning themselves out. Instead, Holiday suggests that meaningful work requires careful thought rather than impulsive passion. It’s essential to approach challenges with humility and a realistic understanding of their complexity.
By shifting focus from passion to a sense of duty, one can cultivate determination that leads to significant achievements. Holiday emphasizes that true growth stems from recognizing the responsibilities inherent in pursuing one’s goals, rather than simply relying on enthusiasm. Embracing this mindset allows for more effective action and transformation beyond mere good intentions.
