Maximizing Meaning

Hustle culture has presented itself as one of the easiest traps to fall into in our American society. Maximizing productivity and acquiring financial success can seem tantamount to a happy life, but such is not the case. It is important not to conflate financial success with finding meaning and fulfillment within your occupation and day-to-day life. 

Consider your own finite lifetime. Will you regret that you spent too much time with your family and friends, wishing you worked harder and made more money? It is a shame that we live in a culture that places far too much value on job titles and high paying salaries while not placing very much value on living a meaningful, fulfilling life. That part is left up to the individual. 

The trap that hustle culture sets is simple: the key to happiness is to work as hard as you can and make as much money as you can before you die. Seneca warned us against such a trap centuries ago in his essay On the Shortness of Life in which he says “life ceases for the rest of us just when we are getting ready for it…It is not we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”

What I posit to you is that there is some sort of balance to be achieved between financial security and fulfillment in your occupation. Our professional lives should not be concerned with maximizing productivity, but rather maximizing meaning. Adopting such a view is difficult because of how enticing job titles and high paying salaries are, but also crucial so that we do not fall into this trap that Seneca warned us about.

Many entrepreneurs and the essence of entrepreneurship itself embrace this balance and mindset. Entrepreneurs take risks in order to do what they love. It should go without saying that doing what you love is a spectacular way to maximize meaning in your life. Nevertheless, it is incredibly difficult to get started. 

So, while there is not right way to achieve this balance and no two individuals will take up the same path, here is some advice, both professional and personal:

• Get started
  • Taking the first step is incredibly important. You may not know where you’re going, but begin with a firm step. 
• Set goals
  • Small or large, setting goals will incentivize you to make progress.
• Do not fear judgement
  • Concerning yourself with the judgement of others will only hold you back. If you are true to yourself and what you are doing is genuine, then know that what you’re doing is right for you. Do not settle or change your path because of the opinions of others.
• Do not compare yourself to others
  • Everyone’s timeline is different. If you feel like you are ‘behind’ the people around you, just know that everyone’s timeline and trajectory is different. Who knows where you will be in the next five years?
• Create good habits
  • Wherever you are on your path, your initial motivation will eventually wear off. You may not feel particularly inspired, motivated, or fulfilled every day, and that’s okay. It’s important to develop good habits surrounding your goals in order to develop a routine, maintain progress. Otherwise, simple vices like social media and TV can eat away at large chunks of your time.

• Take time for self care
  • Be present. Tend to yourself when you need to, be conscious of your own stress and anxiety, and reflect upon what you are doing. Remember why you started and keep a wide perspective in mind. 
• Take time for your friends and family
  • The quality of your relationships is as important (if not more important) as a fulfilling occupation. What good is any occupation if you have nobody in your life to share yourself with?

And lastly….

• Embrace as many powerful experiences as the world gives you
  • Learn a new skill. Create art. Immerse yourself in great literature. Look at the stars. Have great conversations. Travel as much as you can. Show yourself to others. Laugh a lot. Cry a lot. Be amazed by the world around you. Develop lifelong relationships. Help your community. Such things have a price more valuable than any amount of money. 

Embodying such a mindset will help you to maximize meaning in your life. Whatever you choose to do, whether it be as an entrepreneur, teacher, hairdresser, mechanic, journalist, accountant, nurse, or engineer, be conscious. Pay attention to yourself and the people around you. Remember that life is a gift and that living a meaningful life is the best we can ever do with it. Keep these things in mind and you may look back and see that it was the most important thing you’ve ever done. 

Did you enjoy this article? Check out similar content here: Business 101 – How to Disrupt an Industry and Find Your Passion?