Reaching our goals takes more than just talent. New research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) looks at three key traits: passion, drive, and the ability to enter a state of flow—when we become fully absorbed in what we are doing.

The study finds differences between men and women. On average, men are more passionate about their goals and find it easier to reach flow. Women, however, tend to have more drive—the determination to keep going even when things get tough.

Finding flow

Researchers surveyed 529 people, mostly in their late twenties. They found that drive and flow are strongly linked. At first, this seems odd: men report the most flow, while women show the most drive. But individual differences matter more than group averages. Many people, regardless of gender, have both high drive and a strong ability to find flow.

The study suggests that drive plays a bigger role in achieving flow than passion does. This means that building good habits and staying committed may be more important than simply feeling excited about a goal.

In the end, the research shows that passion, drive, and flow shape not just our success, but also how we learn and feel about our lives.