More specifically, what I mean is this: normally, we apply ourselves through disciplined, focused work for one of three reasons.
- Because we are obligated to.
- Because we are paid for it.
- Because it is part of a larger plan to achieve a desired goal.
I would like to postulate that there is a perfectly valid fourth reason, albeit one that is often overlooked.
It took me awhile, but I’ve arrived at a point where I understand it’s important to to do something simply because you want to grow, and also because whatever it is you are attempting to do is something that interests you. This is something I have struggled with my whole life. I would wonder to myself, “if there isn’t some concrete reward at the end of the day, then aren’t you just wasting time?” And even worse, because let’s not forget we’re in the U.S., if it’s not generating money, then it must be worthless.
After all, you might spend a considerable amount of time and effort working on this “thing” for no remuneration – when in fact, no one else may ever even see it.
I would argue that’s okay – it’s the price you pay for personal growth. Because at the end of the day, it will have been worth it. You will have evolved a little bit as a person. You will know something new about yourself and the world around you, and that knowledge expands your concept of both what you are capable of, and what might be possible.
And that my friend is something that money can’t buy.