Decades into his music career, Pharrell Williams says he never stops working: ‘If you do what you love every day, you’ll get paid for free’

It’s easy to grow disillusioned in a career, particularly when aspirations for more fulfilling work conflict with the necessity of financial security.

However, successful entrepreneurs argue that pursuing one’s genuine passion makes daily work a calling; those who truly love their profession, like musician Pharrell Williams, have no intention of ever 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 after receiving the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2026 Grammys. “So everyone here, I just have to tell you, never stop grinding. And listen, never stop working.”

Williams has seen directly how passion significantly contributes to success; the 52-year-old philanthropist and artist has been releasing, writing, and producing music since the 1990s, accumulating over three decades of chart-topping hits. With a net worth of $250 million, the “Happy” singer’s years of musical mastery have created a lifelong career. But Williams says he doesn’t focus much on his bank account balance—what truly keeps this Gen Xer working is his love for the job.

“Stop doing anything except 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 position with a steady paycheck. With nearly half of U.S. citizens believing the American Dream is no longer achievable, or never existed, many remain trapped in a dull, stable job instead of a profession that brings them happiness.

Raised in Virginia Beach, Williams said he frequently heard the same message: that careers should focus on stability and earning money. But the Grammy winner wants to shift that narrative. Pursuing the largest paychecks, he said, is a misconception.

“The American Dream is not about making the most money. In fact, the human dream and the consumer’s 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 noted that many young people feel pressured to chase lucrative careers in college, such as medicine and law, regardless of their actual desires. Some manage to change paths despite family disapproval, Williams explained, but most “go after it, and they don’t get it.” Afterward, they may end up stuck in a job they despise, choosing salary over true passions. Williams advised that professionals can sidestep this identity crisis by working in a role or field that fascinates them.

“If you can find a vocation built around something 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 how 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 proven that remaining in a beloved career can pay dividends. Walmart’s former CEO, Doug McMillon, who assumed the top position at the end of last month, spent four decades climbing the company’s ranks. And during his rise from hourly worker to chief executive, McMillon hasn’t “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 a global fitness race series, also said he loves his job so much that it feels like a hobby. His best advice for professionals hoping to achieve the right balance is to genuinely enjoy their careers; that way, it’s never a chore to show up at the office.

“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 told 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.”