In these article, we will see a list of places to find motivation in life other than physical possessions
A few weeks ago I sat outside around a fire next to two very successful entrepreneurs. Both, great people.
When they started asking me questions about my work, the conversation turned towards minimalism. I talked about not only the work I do on this topic, but also the profound, positive impact it has had on our lives.
My friends were intrigued, but surprisingly skeptical. They understood the connection between clutter and distraction and even noted how clean they like to keep their garage.
But as we started to dig deeper into the implications, the idea that one could maintain ambition without pursuing bigger houses in nicer neighborhoods, more expensive cars, and an abundance of material possessions for their families seemed foreign to them.
Someone commented: ‘I think I’m just too entrepreneurial. That’s just my heart. And my desire for better things keeps me motivated, which is good for my business. I don’t think the minimalist lifestyle is for me.”
Silently I thought to myself, ‘Well, I’m an entrepreneur too, you know…’
But my audible response was this: ‘I’m not suggesting we lose our ambition. I suggest that we can find greater ambition by directing it toward more meaningful pursuits than the accumulation of material possessions.”
That evening I shared a modest list of alternative motivations that inspire me.
But since I’ve thought about that conversation quite a bit since then, I’d like to take a moment and provide a more comprehensive list of where we can find motivation and ambition, beyond material possessions.
Maybe we’ll all find it useful.
Before we dive into this list, it strikes me that not all motivations are equally satisfying. While a number of activities can (and tend to) motivate us, some are better than others.
In fact, my most recent book, Things that matter, is about this topic. The book is about recognizing and overcoming the distractions that keep us from living a meaningful life. And every topic covered in the book exists precisely because it can become a motivating factor in our lives.
So let me divide this list into two categories (ephemeral motivations and longer-lasting motivations):
Motivations that go beyond material possessions (but not satisfying either)
1. Money
It is not uncommon for people to shift their focus from accumulating assets to continuing to focus on accumulating wealth. Some people embrace minimalism for that very reason. So let’s start here.
A person can forego the pursuit of flashy assets, yet remain motivated by the endless pursuit of increasing one’s net worth. It is understandable, common, and even encouraged in our world. Personally, I just believe there are more satisfying goals to pursue.
2. Early retirement
Likewise, the dream of early retirement can be enticing and motivate people to work tirelessly. Again, some will embrace a minimalist lifestyle for the sole purpose of achieving it even sooner. And while motivation to work may wane after retirement, it can certainly be an important motivator for a period of time.
Again, and why I put this motivation in this category, the pursuit of leisure can quickly distract us from satisfying work and meaningful pursuits.
3. Accolades
The pursuit of fame, recognition and praise can drive individuals to remarkable achievements. In fact, as I write Things that matterthis motivation confuses me more than I care to admit.
There is nothing wrong with receiving praise for a job well done or a life well lived, but when that becomes the goal, we rarely achieve it.
4. Power
A desire for influence, control and power has motivated more than one man and woman in the world today.
5. Competition
Healthy competition can certainly stimulate innovation and growth. But when winning just to beat the other person becomes the greatest motivator in our lives, we can miss the importance of cooperation, joy, and lifting others up along the way.
This list of five motivations, all of which are different from physical possessions, can push us to work hard and stay ambitious.
While these motivations may lead to success in some society’s definitions of the term, they do not result in our greatest meaning and lasting fulfillment. Worse, they often result in regrets at the end of our lives.
So let’s turn our attention to more enriching sources of motivation: passions with more meaning, more satisfaction, and less regret.
Motivations beyond material possessions (with more satisfying results)
6. Be the best version of myself
The quest for personal growth and self-improvement is a noble journey. It encourages us to continually evolve, learn and embrace our full potential. With this as a goal, the motivation never stops.
7. Be an example to my family
The desire to be a role model for our loved ones can be a powerful motivator, especially for children. It forces us to embody the values and virtues we want to pass on.
8. Making a positive difference
The desire to leave the world better than we found it motivates us to perform acts of kindness and service – always doing our utmost to achieve them.
9. Advocate for justice
We have a deep-seated desire for honesty. Pursuing justice and equality in our communities and around the world can move us to take action, speak out, and contribute to meaningful change.
10. Solving problems we see in the world
Whether addressing a spiritual need, a financial need, a societal need, a health crisis or the consequences of a natural disaster, the urge to solve problems – both on the streets and around the world – can lead to a compelling motivation and sense of purpose.
11. Faithful living
For many, faith is a profound source of motivation, guiding action, inspiring service, and encouraging faithfulness every day, in both small and large ways.
12. Loving others
A pure and simple love for others guides many of these motivations already mentioned if you think about it. Love inspires us to be the best versions of ourselves we can be so that we can live for and benefit others.
13. Cultivate relationships
Investing in deep, meaningful relationships with family, friends, and community members can be incredibly fulfilling and inspiring.
14. Impact on our local community
The desire to create or contribute to a sense of community and belonging can motivate us to participate in local initiatives, social events and group activities that bring people together.
15. Create and innovate
We all have an internal desire to create. For some, this looks like art, music or writing. For others, their creativity manifests itself in parenting, relationships, systems, inventions, or problem solving. The desire to be as creative as possible can be very motivating for us.
16. Meeting expectations
No one is here purely for their own sake. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before. Although this is not always the case, we sometimes feel a healthy responsibility to those who have invested in our lives and can find constant motivation in living up to the example they have set for us.
There are undoubtedly more motivating factors in life that I didn’t even think to add to the list: lifelong learning, environmental stewardship, personal passion projects, celebrating arts and culture all come to mind. You may have others you can add in the comment section below.
Minimalism is the intentional pursuit of our greatest values by removing anything that distracts us from them. We own less so we can live more, focused on the things that matter.
Some may use minimalism as a way to leave life behind and spend the rest of their lives on the beach. But you will never find that in my writings.
Minimalism allows us to live a life more ambitious life. It’s not about short selling. It’s not about losing drive or ambition or that entrepreneurial spirit. It’s about transforming that ambition into things that really matter.
Because our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions.
