An unfulfilling job can quickly breed cynicism, especially when dreams of a more meaningful career collide with the practical need for financial stability. Yet successful entrepreneurs consistently argue that chasing a true ambition is exactly what inspires them to show up and work every day—and those who genuinely love their job, like musician Pharrell Williams, never plan on retiring.

"I'm so blessed to call this a job. I've never stopped loving this job; I've never stopped being a student," Williams said onstage after winning the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2026 Grammys. "So everyone here, I've just got to tell you, never stop grinding. And listen, never stop working." The honor, introduced at the 2023 Grammys, recognizes Black music creators whose contributions to the art form have shaped the broader industry.

Williams has seen firsthand how central passion is to success. Now 53, the philanthropist and artist has been releasing, writing, and producing music since the 1990s, amassing more than three decades of chart-topping hits. He broke in as one half of the Neptunes, the production duo he formed with Chad Hugo in Virginia Beach, crafting hits for artists from Britney Spears to Jay-Z before stepping out front with his own records—and in 2023 he stretched further beyond music when Louis Vuitton named him its men's creative director. With an estimated net worth of $250 million, the "Happy" singer's years of musical prowess and business collaborations have produced a lifelong fortune. But Williams said he does not think too much about the number in his bank account—what really keeps the Gen Xer working is his love for the job itself.

"Stop doing anything else but working. Work, man," Williams continued. "I'm 52, I get to do this every day—I love what I do. And if you do what you love every day, you'll get paid for free."

Williams says the American Dream isn't about making millions

Generations of workers have abandoned their true calling for a tolerable job with a solid paycheck. With nearly half of U.S. citizens believing the American Dream is no longer possible, or never even existed, many remain stuck in a lifeless, steady job rather than a profession that makes them happy. That stuck feeling is widespread: Gallup's workplace research found that U.S. employee engagement fell to 31% in 2024, its lowest level in a decade.

Growing up in Virginia Beach, Williams said he often heard the same rhetoric: that careers should be centered on stability and making money. But the Grammy winner wants to change that narrative—and for him, chasing the biggest paychecks is a misnomer.

"The American Dream is not about making the most money. In fact, the human dream and the consumers' dream shouldn't be about making the most money," Williams said at the 2024 Web Summit. "It should be about spending the most time doing something that you love."

The philanthropist pointed out that many young people are pressured to pursue high-paying careers in college, such as medicine and law, whether they want to or not. Some manage to switch tracks despite the chagrin of their families, Williams explained, but the vast majority "go after it, and they don't get it"—leaving them stuck in a job they hate, prioritizing a paycheck over their true passions. Williams advised that professionals can avoid this identity crisis by working in a role or industry that genuinely interests them.

"If you can find a vocation around something that you love, you now have a dream job. You will be the first one there, and you'll be the last one to leave," Williams continued. "To me, that is what we should be telling our children—that is the way that we should be leading society—for people to do what they love."

'Pursue a career that does not feel like work'

Williams is one of many leaders who have demonstrated that sticking with a career you love can pay off. Doug McMillon, Walmart's former CEO, who stepped down from the top role earlier this year, spent four decades climbing the ranks of the now–$819 billion retail giant. During his ascent from hourly worker all the way to chief executive, McMillon said he has never "been bored one single day."

"Pursue a career that does not feel like work. Life is too short to invest so much time doing something you don't enjoy," McMillon told graduates during a commencement address at the University of Arkansas in 2024. "I hope you find your spot quickly like I did, but if you don't, my advice is that you shouldn't give up until you do … If you're in the right place, most days, work won't even feel like work."

Christian Toetzke, cofounder and CEO of global fitness race Hyrox, has likewise said he loves his job so much that it does not feel like a chore. His best advice for professionals hoping to strike the right work-life balance is to genuinely enjoy their careers—so that showing up at the office is never a drag.

"I'm a massive believer in work-life balance, but the question is always how we look at this. And I'm a very privileged person because I don't consider what I do as work," Toetzke said on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast last year. "I do what I really love. It's also my hobby. For me, work is not a punishment. It's almost kind of a reward."

A version of this story was published on Fortune.com on February 3, 2025. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com.