Why are you doing what you’re doing?
Here’s an interesting post from Seth Godin.
In it he talks about something it’s been difficult to ignore in recent years: the primary factor driving the vast majority of decisions is the acquisition of money.
Is that good or bad? Neither. There’s no such thing as good or bad. But I think this quote really brings it home:
Economics often trumps good intent, particularly at scale and over time. Decision-making power accrues to those that spend and make money, one reason that industrialization and time suck the art out of so many things.
Being clear about what we’re doing and why is the first step in doing it better. If you’re not happy about the honest answer to this question, make substantial changes until you are.
That’s a great question to ask and a damn hard one to answer. There might be many reasons why you’re doing what you’re doing, and some of them might clash with each other, but if you haven’t examined that part of your life with a microscope, you might want to, even if the things you find aren’t to your liking.
To paraphrase Seth, if you don’t know what game you’re playing how can you possibly play it better? The game might be ‘making money as quickly as possible’, but it might just as easily be ‘get creatively fulfilled’, ’emigrate’ or ‘prove my dad wrong’. I think there’s a good chance many of those games are hidden, which is why it often feels like we’re winning when we’re actually losing, and vice versa.
Thanks, thoughtful pos.
t
Hmm.
Well, this is a tricky one. I’ve gone through phases.
To begin with, I did this because it was a massive doss and allowed me to enjoy London and being young.
Then I grew up and became CD and thought I did this because I wanted to create great work and be the best at what I did. And to be seen to be successful.
Then I grew up went freelance and do this because it’s a really excellent way to fund a more relaxed lifestyle, including reading more and travelling.
I have been guilty of doing it for the money. I’ve also been guilty of doing it for the work. Both are ridiculous in themselves.
I do it because it’s something to do. I can’t square a job being a life choice any more. The idea seems somehow intolerable.
The game I’m playing is called ‘trying to get away with it’ I think. The Michael Johnson game.
This is a rambly post. But it’s a good question.
Because 90% of it is shit and I believe I can do better.
A thought-provoking post. I don’t have to acquire money any more, so I guess everything I do is to keep my brain (and some bits of my body)active and to help other people where I can. It’s a very nice position to be in.
as long as there’s money needed to survive, people will have to acquire it. most have to work for that. so that’s the answer to why – as far as i’m concerned.
it’s true though, why are people doing it the way they are doing it. the why behind the how (much).
some quotation i had to think of:
“Productive activity denotes the state of inner activity; it does not necessarily have a connection with the creation of a work of art, of science, or of something ‘useful’. Productiveness is a character orientation all human beings are capable of, to the extent that they are not emotionally crippled. Productive persons animate whatever they touch. They give birth to their own faculties and bring life to other persons and things.” — Erich Fromm