Passion expressing how you must try to improve (6)
I believe the answer is:
ardour
'passion' is the definition.
(I know that ardour is a type of passion)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ardour that I've seen before include "Warm, passionate feeling" , "Love and enthusiasm" , "Enthusiasm or warmth of passion" , "Passionate zeal" , "Emotional warmth" .)