I honestly feel like this is the secret. It took me years to figure out, too.

It is, however, a piece of advice that will likely upset a lot of people, because, they'll say, not every activity worth doing is enjoyable. Which, obviously, is true. Sometimes learning something new or hard can be very difficult. But if you're motivated by your own interest and curiosity, the pain will actually be rewarding rather than soul-destroying.

I just treat my curiosity like a compass now, and let it take me wherever.