Luckily, I'm in the position now of being able to play purely because I have the desire to do so.
The crucial question one comes back to is the examination; without that experience is meaningless. And I think it's true that society is becoming more and more passive, less and less fired up with enthusiasm, in many spheres.
Whether you're winning or losing, it is important to always be yourself. You can't change because of the circumstances around you.