Something wise(-ish)

It’s not accomplishment that makes life worth living.

It’s meaning.
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It’s not external reward that gives us validation.
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It’s fulfillment.
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Ideally, we get to enjoy it all — accomplishing meaningful things, getting money and recognition for the work we find fulfilling.

But let’s not confuse these concepts.
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If you want purpose, pursue meaning.
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If you want to be rewarded, look for the things that are rewarding.
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And if you want external success — which is a perfectly valid thing to want — look for relationships, challenges and situations that you find inherently worthwhile.

That’s the only reliable way to develop your skills, do your best work, and stick with something long enough to generate an income from it.

The key to self-actualization is actually very simple — which is why it’s so hard to grasp.​
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Chasing money for money’s sake won’t motivate you.
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Seeking status for status’ sake won’t gratify you.
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Plucking a purpose from a list of concepts won’t drive you to chase your goals.

These feelings are the products of meaningful choices — not the cause of them.

So if you’re struggling to find meaning in your life, try asking yourself a few questions:

What do I genuinely care about, money and status aside?

Which people and places give me joy, hope and energy, and which people and places deplete them?
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Am I grasping at concepts and labels in my life, or am I seeking out experiences and feelings?
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Answer those questions, and you’ll get much further in your pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.

Have you found this principle to be true in your world? Struggling to make use of it?

Hit reply and tell me about it. I’m all ears!

On the show this past week

​1068: Yuval Noah Harari | Rewriting Human History in the Age of AI​

​1069: Can Doc’s Fault Be Denied in Friend’s Suicide? | Feedback Friday​

​1070: Squatters | Skeptical Sunday​

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