How Personal Satisfaction Transcends Money, Fame and Love
There are other “motives” for personal satisfaction besides money, fame, and love.
However, many people strive to make millions—to have lots of money to enjoy.
They often dream of traveling and not working but having more than enough money to spend whenever and wherever.
Personal Satisfaction Transcends Money, Fame, and Love
Others strive for more money through hard work and promotions, winning a huge jackpot from a lottery game, or achieving that pot of gold from some great investments.
Again, their goal is to eliminate the need to work a 9-5 job.
Still, others strive for fame or love.
They want to be the next best singer, actor, or sports figure.
They want to see their name in lights on a large marquee, on the label of the album of the year and/or the New York best seller of the year, or have their picture featured on the Jumbotron boards at the sports stadium of their choice.
And yes, some do everything they can for love, which is sometimes reciprocated and other times not.
They strive for acceptance by doing things they would not otherwise do.
They also give up things they want to give the love of their life what they want.
But are these the only motivations people have to make their lives happy?
Are there other reasons people do what they do?
Should there be other reasons?
Perhaps there are more selfish reasons or, perhaps even more important, some less selfish reasons to do what we do!
For me, I pray my motivations are not selfish.
While making money is necessary to pay for everyday living expenses such as a place to live (rent or mortgage payments) along with the companion utility bills (gas, electric, and water expenses).
And yes, we all rely on telephones and transportation in our lives too.
But how much more do we need?
Do we strive for thousands or even millions in a savings account, in investments that yield dividends?
How much do we want?
Do we need our everyday living space, a vacation get-away home, and perhaps even a cabin in the woods for a break from the rat race?
How much is enough?
Is there such as thing as too much?
In self-reflection on this topic, my primary motivations have been the sense of accomplishment and having a specific purpose for whatever I do.
Being able to say, “I did it!” has carried me through many tough challenges with the thought that I can do it again and again.
Sometimes this has included my dream to write a book.
Other times it has meant beating a bout of cancer.
The challenge has been different, but the hopes and dreams of accomplishment have been the same.
As a child, I dreamed of writing a book of poetry.
It took decades before I accomplished that goal, and the sense of personal satisfaction was huge.
Some family, friends, and even medical personnel often encouraged me to write my autobiographical story of surviving multiple bouts of cancer.
I worried no one would want to read about cancer, cancer, and more cancer.
However, in 2011, the dream of writing a book became a reality.
No, it wasn’t the wished-for book of poems, but it was autobiographical, and I included a few poems too.
Since that door opened to being a published author, other books have followed—other autobiographical books about multiple crazy childhood injuries and some books for kids.
While the books I have written have sold, the best part of becoming a published author is seeing my name on the cover of each book.
It feeds my soul to say, “I did it!”
That has been very satisfying to me.
It also encourages me to write more.
The feedback I receive feeds into my sense of personal satisfaction.
I can sit back and say, “I’ve touched their lives,” or other similar comments.
I know that what I have accomplished has made a difference.
It has inspired some, given hope to others, and surprised still others who never thought I could or would write the first book—never considering all the others that have followed.
Knowing the feelings of those who have read the books, and hearing their feedback, encourages me to know that I have achieved the success I had hoped for by saying, “I did it!”
In 2015, my sense of “purpose” took on new meaning.
Yet another cancer diagnosis—this one with a very poor survival prognosis.
My desire to make a difference in the lives of those I know took on a targeted purpose.
That sense of purpose boosts my drive to help others.
I now strive to connect groups and individuals that complement each other to achieve mutual goals.
Hosting networking events to connect business connections and authors to non-profits has been a blessing.
Seeing the progress and success of these connections has been amazing to me and made me wonder why we don’t do this sort of connection routinely.
These endeavors continue to feed back to my sense of accomplishment!
My sense of accomplishment as my primary motivation to keep going and doing what I love to do certainly puts happiness in my life.
Having that sense of purpose continues to complement my motivation to do things that make a difference—in my life and the lives of those I connect with, guide, advise and support.
It makes me want to repeat the process!
Is this sense of accomplishment and purpose enough for personal satisfaction?
For me, it is.
For some others, it may not be.
And yet, to some extent, these motivations have guided my life in a way to gain money and even a bit of fame.
Going to a store or an event and being recognized as the lady on the cover of the book, again, feeds my motivation for accomplishment.
I know I did not write the book to become famous or to make a lot of money, but it is still a bonus to be recognized and receive this as an acknowledgment of my accomplishment.
Love is the all-elusive “what is it” that is so hard to define.
For me, it is not just romantic but a true feeling of caring and support.
So my accomplishments have also given me “love.”
But again, I was not looking for love.
It was not my motivation for writing, doing radio, or hosting networking connections.
It has occasionally been a by-product that is another one of those great accomplishments I can list on my life resume.
May we all find our true selves and our true calling in this life and then use it to the best of our abilities.
What does personal satisfaction mean to you?
Are you motivated by money, fame, or love?
Do you get satisfaction from your sense of purpose?
Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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Since the original publication of this article, Anna Renault has passed away.
