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Abstract

kes us feel empty inside, simply to get a comparable car to our nearest and dearest.Surely there is more to life than this?Pursuit of Happiness:The pursuit of happiness is a difficult and potentially damaging concept. I reckon there are probably a lot of people out there that are addicted to heroin and are pretty happy when taking a hit. But this surely can’t be the dream scenario, right?At my most happy, I am probably getting drunk, lazing around watching sports, and eating pizza. As you can imagine at the time, it is great. But in the long run, this doesn’t lead to happiness. Happiness is even diminished if this occurs too often.Another thing to keep in mind is that happiness is an emotion that comes and goes. If you lived in Mauritius every day for a year doing nothing meaningful, do you think you would be happy all the time? I mean REALLY think about this one. Because if you are stuck in a city like London that pisses it down every day and you hate your job and are bored of your life, you will probably say yes, please. I would take this. Where do I sign?But what tends to happen is you get accustomed to your environment quite quickly. Ever gone on holiday and sat around a pool for a week? There comes a point where you want to do something else with your time. Something that gives you energy or purpose.Don’t get me wrong, I have met some people genuinely happy in their lives and careers, but that usually comes through doing something meaningful to them. I think seeking happiness alone is simply not the answer.Pursuit of Meaning:The pursuit of meaning is something that gets you up in the morning with motivation to achieve an ambition you truly value.I have achieved things working in the Corporate world that mean absolutely nothing to me. Getting praise from senior leaders in a company, getting a promotion, and a fancy job title. A nice bonus for working long hours while having to sack off much-needed leisure time.These financial perks can absolutely incentivize, but from my experience, are only a short-term motivator. There is more to life than a big paycheck. If you are just in it for the money and have no desire for what you are doing, you should start working out your escape routine now.I was like this every day for more than 5 years. I knew I was on the wrong path.I think the pursuit of something meaningful is the most important thing and here is why. If you pursue something that lights up your heart, you are more likely to go that extra mile needed to strive for grea

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tness.For me, staying an hour late in my corporate job was an utter liberty. Was like someone had kidnapped a family member. Couldn’t believe the cheek of it that I was expected to stay a solid hour longer. But if you are working on your passion projects, then working additional hours is not even a consideration. You want to work longer, you can become in a flow state and most of all are determined to improve. This is likely to lead to enjoyment in the process as you value the work you are doing. There is a desire to continue to get better and see progress.As you are willing to go the extra mile, success and happiness are a by-product of pursuing something meaningful. Not only this, but it can also generate other desirable outcomes.Working towards and achieving something that has meaning to you can help you achieve peace of mind. You will no longer have that nagging feeling telling you that you could be doing more with your life. You will know you are on the right path as the goal you are aiming at is worth pursuing.It may also lead to Freedom, in many ways as you will no longer be shackled to a desk (virtual or not) and forced to remain in an environment that you feel trapped in just to receive regular, stable (well…) money each month.<figure id="84d7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*EPWKqvDI9t-26j-zN_9ePg.png"><figcaption>Image Created by the Author</figcaption></figure>The key to the pursuit of meaning is that it has to be something that has meaning to YOU!No point in working in a position that would be fulfilling to your parents. Also, not everyone is super caring and is designed to be a vet or a nurse. This needs to spark electricity into YOU.How to embark on the pursuit of something meaningful?The first step is to identify what work would be meaningful? This is a time, to be honest, and true to yourself. Don’t say charity work if this doesn’t truly excite you. If it does, then great!You can start by thinking about if you could wake up and embark on a meaningful journey every day, what would it look like? Would it be something creative? Maybe you would get energized to start an online business or travel to a new city every month and set up a travel blog (post-pandemic career choice obviously).Whatever it is, trust your gut and go for it. Don’t spend 5 more years doing something that doesn’t motivate you in the slightest. Financial gains will come as a result of doing something you truly value. Stick with it and don’t look back. You may even shock yourself with how much you can achieve!</article></body>

Life Lessons

Why the Pursuit of Something Meaningful Should Outweigh the Pursuit of Success and Even Happiness?

What You Wake up and Gravitate Towards Can Influence the Trajectory of Your Life

What you wake up and gravitate towards can influence the trajectory of your life.

Some people strive for success. Success may be in the form of status for their family and friends to marvel over. It may even come through the number of dollar bills or pound notes they have in the bank. Some may pursue something that makes them happy. Others may merely seek out a career and existence that they consider meaningful.

These 3 pursuits can intertwine and even work together as driving forces. I believe, however, whatever your core pursuit is has a major impact on your life and how it plays out.

So what is the difference between the pursuit of success, happiness, and meaning and how can this influence the type of life we lead?

Pursuit of Success:

I believe unfortunately in our ever commercially driven society; the pursuit of success is the core pursuit that drives most people. Be honest, how many people do you know who end up in a career that they can truly say, they want to be in? I know a small handful and these people seem to be very unconcerned about the amount they earn. Or are at least less bothered than the rest of us. And a lot of them are completely flourishing financially regardless.

The drive for success and status appears to be something deep-rooted in our society. Keeping up with the Joneses mentality has links to our evolutionary past.

Making money, having fancy trinkets to show off like watches, jewelry, flashy cars, and houses do wonders to increase our sexual ranking, and the ability to attract a mate is enhanced dramatically. Being able to provide and be seen as high status in other people’s eyes can certainly have its perks.

And don’t get me wrong, going after money and success isn’t all bad. I am not saying we should all get lazy and not have a drive for a better life. It can be nice to have things that bring us joy. It can also bring comfort to those closest to us. But there is something a little bit depressing that most of us sacrifice our time to an environment that makes us feel empty inside, simply to get a comparable car to our nearest and dearest.

Surely there is more to life than this?

Pursuit of Happiness:

The pursuit of happiness is a difficult and potentially damaging concept. I reckon there are probably a lot of people out there that are addicted to heroin and are pretty happy when taking a hit. But this surely can’t be the dream scenario, right?

At my most happy, I am probably getting drunk, lazing around watching sports, and eating pizza. As you can imagine at the time, it is great. But in the long run, this doesn’t lead to happiness. Happiness is even diminished if this occurs too often.

Another thing to keep in mind is that happiness is an emotion that comes and goes. If you lived in Mauritius every day for a year doing nothing meaningful, do you think you would be happy all the time? I mean REALLY think about this one. Because if you are stuck in a city like London that pisses it down every day and you hate your job and are bored of your life, you will probably say yes, please. I would take this. Where do I sign?

But what tends to happen is you get accustomed to your environment quite quickly. Ever gone on holiday and sat around a pool for a week? There comes a point where you want to do something else with your time. Something that gives you energy or purpose.

Don’t get me wrong, I have met some people genuinely happy in their lives and careers, but that usually comes through doing something meaningful to them. I think seeking happiness alone is simply not the answer.

Pursuit of Meaning:

The pursuit of meaning is something that gets you up in the morning with motivation to achieve an ambition you truly value.

I have achieved things working in the Corporate world that mean absolutely nothing to me. Getting praise from senior leaders in a company, getting a promotion, and a fancy job title. A nice bonus for working long hours while having to sack off much-needed leisure time.

These financial perks can absolutely incentivize, but from my experience, are only a short-term motivator. There is more to life than a big paycheck. If you are just in it for the money and have no desire for what you are doing, you should start working out your escape routine now.

I was like this every day for more than 5 years. I knew I was on the wrong path.

I think the pursuit of something meaningful is the most important thing and here is why. If you pursue something that lights up your heart, you are more likely to go that extra mile needed to strive for greatness.

For me, staying an hour late in my corporate job was an utter liberty. Was like someone had kidnapped a family member. Couldn’t believe the cheek of it that I was expected to stay a solid hour longer. But if you are working on your passion projects, then working additional hours is not even a consideration. You want to work longer, you can become in a flow state and most of all are determined to improve. This is likely to lead to enjoyment in the process as you value the work you are doing. There is a desire to continue to get better and see progress.

As you are willing to go the extra mile, success and happiness are a by-product of pursuing something meaningful. Not only this, but it can also generate other desirable outcomes.

Working towards and achieving something that has meaning to you can help you achieve peace of mind. You will no longer have that nagging feeling telling you that you could be doing more with your life. You will know you are on the right path as the goal you are aiming at is worth pursuing.

It may also lead to Freedom, in many ways as you will no longer be shackled to a desk (virtual or not) and forced to remain in an environment that you feel trapped in just to receive regular, stable (well…) money each month.

The key to the pursuit of meaning is that it has to be something that has meaning to YOU!

No point in working in a position that would be fulfilling to your parents. Also, not everyone is super caring and is designed to be a vet or a nurse. This needs to spark electricity into YOU.

How to embark on the pursuit of something meaningful?

The first step is to identify what work would be meaningful? This is a time, to be honest, and true to yourself. Don’t say charity work if this doesn’t truly excite you. If it does, then great!

You can start by thinking about if you could wake up and embark on a meaningful journey every day, what would it look like? Would it be something creative? Maybe you would get energized to start an online business or travel to a new city every month and set up a travel blog (post-pandemic career choice obviously).

Whatever it is, trust your gut and go for it. Don’t spend 5 more years doing something that doesn’t motivate you in the slightest. Financial gains will come as a result of doing something you truly value. Stick with it and don’t look back. You may even shock yourself with how much you can achieve!