purpose & career from personal experience
Reflection: If our work/career is based solely on the desire for personal gain, whether it’s money/power/status → we’ll never be fulfilled by it.
I’ve engaged myself in a few things across a yet short working life. Some were done with the sole purpose of "financial gain" and some had a deeper meaning. I see a huge difference between these two motivations. For example, I used to work in investment banking and consulting, motivated by the goal of eventually starting my own investment fund. Why did I need a fund? Just to become rich (obviously). I stayed for a few months each time and couldn't bear it - I didn't feel I was working on a cause that had a deeper meaning.
Then I became a mentor for high school students, supporting them in their self-development and helping them get into top universities abroad (pro-bono). Watching them grow gave me immense pleasure and brought meaning to my life.
At a certain point, again, I started working on another business, motivated by profit and "making a fortune." However, within the very first weeks, my heart was telling me this wasn’t it. Ambition pushed me to continue, but almost a year later, I had an awakening that maybe this really wasn't the right path. My heart broke free from its grip when I stepped out of my routine, went away for a few days without internet access, and broke out of my habitual 24/7 work mindset.
In that same moment, I returned to supporting young students in their self-development, and I immediately stopped feeling like it was work. I started connecting the dots: when I do something solely for myself, it brings me no joy. But when I work for the benefit of others, life regains its meaning.
Interestingly, I think you don't always have to change your line of work to regain a sense of purpose and passion for what you do. I once read a book [I don't remember the title] that gave this example:
Someone asks two hospital cleaners what they do on a daily basis. The first one says: "I clean the hospital." The second one says: "I help people recover in a clean environment."
Two different perspectives, the second of which makes us feel like we are living with purpose. The only thing limiting us is our decision.
The fact that we can change our perspective on our current job, as shown above, doesn't change the fact that it's worth adding a little community service to your life. Even two hours a month. I think that can help. At least, that was my experience.
Interestingly, my claims above are based on scientific premises, namely evolutionary biology. According to evolutionary biology and similar disciplines, humans appeared to have evolved psychological mechanisms that support prosocial and helpful behavior as it provides important evolutionary advantages. Apparently, helping others can engage reward and motivation systems, which essentially means our bodies reward us for helping others.
What I would also claim is that our mindset towards the impact of our actions (see the hospital example) means we can either gain the benefit from acting prosocially or not.
I should also add that these conclusions regarding prosocial behavior are confirmed by people on their deathbeds. In her book Top Five Regrets of the Dying, Bronnie Ware recorded her conversations and interactions with terminally ill people while working as a palliative care nurse. She points out that people on their deathbeds indicate that some of the things they regret most are living a life that wasn't true to themselves, spending too little time with friends and family, and not being involved enough in their community or being altruistic. This ties in, meaning it aligns perfectly, with the conclusions I mentioned earlier.
I can actually confirm this myself, because four years ago I found myself in a similar situation, temporarily on my deathbed. What I regretted most back then was following a path rooted in the idea of making a lot of money, rather than one that genuinely interested me, came from the heart, and had a higher purpose.
And that brings us to the question. What can we do to feel that what you dedicate your time to has a greater meaning?
Yours,
Mikolaj