You know, I was re-reading some Simon Sinek the other day, and this one line just hit me all over again: “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress…” It perfectly captures the difference between burning out and being lit up. It’s all about where your effort is directed.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
At its heart, this quote is about the internal narrative we attach to our work. The exact same amount of effort can either drain you or fuel you, and the only variable is your connection to the “Why.”
Explanation
Let me break this down a bit. I’ve seen this play out in so many teams. When you’re grinding on a project that feels meaningless, that feels like just a task on a list, every late night is agony. Your brain labels that effort as a threat—it’s stress. But when you’re working on something that truly matters to you, something that aligns with a deeper belief? The same late night feels like a mission. You’re energized. That’s passion. It’s not about the hours; it’s about the heart. It’s the story you tell yourself about why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Career (192) |
| Topics | motivation (113), passion (22), stress (22) |
| Literary Style | contrastive (3), punchy (9) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304), uplifting (157) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is genuinely from Simon Sinek’s 2009 book, Start with Why. You’ll sometimes see it floating around unattributed or paired with other motivational pics, but the source is solid. It’s a core concept from his “Golden Circle” model.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Simon Sinek (207) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (54) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Simon Sinek champions a leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, trust, and service. He started in advertising, then founded Sinek Partners and gained global attention with his TED Talk on the Golden Circle. He advises companies and the military, writes bestselling books, and hosts the podcast “A Bit of Optimism.” The Simon Sinek book list features Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together Is Better, Find Your Why, and The Infinite Game. He speaks worldwide about building strong cultures, empowering people, and leading for the long term.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2009; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1591842804; Last edition: Portfolio/Penguin 2011; Number of pages: 256 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 10: Communication Is Not About Speaking, Approximate page from 2011 edition |