Why would you ever want to be an entrepreneur? Taking such a path means that you’re most likely eschewing traditional professional comforts: some semblance of job security, a clear path to victory (or at least internal praise), and an environment in which expectations are clear. Following your entrepreneurial goals means embracing an uncertain future; long, meandering hours; and an end goal that is hazy at best.

However, this doesn’t deter some of society’s brightest minds from carving out their own professional path, so there is certainly something to be gained from answering your calling. Entrepreneur contributor Larry Alton sheds some light on the question, and gives us 5 reasons people become entrepreneurs. You should definitely check it out, but I can provide a little background information here.

A common theme that seems to run through each of these motivations is a special type of hunger. No matter what position you hold in an eventual company, the environment can become stale. We answer to a familiar set of clients, or we’re stuck with the same set of responsibilities. And far too often, we are subject to the expectations of others. An example would be the night owl who knows they work best at night, but have been worked into becoming an unproductive morning person. Or, you could be the employee with the million-dollar idea who has to weave through the administrative trenches just to put it in front of the right leader. But as an entrepreneur, your greatest responsibility is setting your own.

When you are able to follow your creative impulses, you can set your own pace and expectations. When that idea comes to mind, its up to you to put it in motion. That these are reasons for people to take that huge leap into the unknown speaks to their own courage and initiative.

Alton acknowledges that money is a driving factor for many to found their own companies. With popular examples like Zuckerberg’s Facebook or Page’s Google, it can seem that there is a secret formula to billions. But while that kind of revenue and growth isn’t impossible, more frustrations than you can imagine drive many hopefuls out of the game. With serious money as an incentive, but far from a guarantee, the best entrepreneurs do not allow themselves to be dictated by the almighty dollar. They’ve come with admirable conviction to make a difference so great, that it is worth any degree of uncertainty.