Different pursuits in life

In today’s world, dreams are possible. People can do whatever they want and be whatever they want. Like many things in life, finding a balance is essential. For example, one might be torn between thinking “I have to stop being lazy and do more, expect more from myself, and stop saying I did everything I could...” and thinking “I need to stop worrying too much about what I already know and take it easy on myself.”

Part of achieving our goals may lie in finding out what motivates us, or what we are trying to pursue.

1)    The pursuit of happiness
One of the most basic human pursuits is that of happiness. Someone who does not feel like waking up on a Sunday morning to work out may be happy sleeping until noon. It doesn’t take much to be happy. Obtaining happiness can be as simple as making a small effort.

Happiness comes and goes, and people seem to be  constantly looking for it. It is important to realize that nobody is constantly happy, and if one is constantly pursuing happiness one might end up very disappointed. Life is also about struggles. In facing a mirror during a workout, the look might not be very pleasant. However, being healthy is important.

2)    The pursuit of cool
Some people pay attention to what of others perceive, and speculate that they may be thinking: Why do you dress like that? Why do you look like that? Why are you hanging out with those people? Why are you driving that car? These people may want to fit in a box that no one can criticize. Unconsciously they may want to be invisible, be like others or pretend they are somebody they are not.

3)    The pursuit of popularity
People who pursue popularity might be thinking “I don’t just want to fit in but I want to be the coolest person, the one everyone wants to be friends with.” People who want to be popular may like to be the centre of attention. The down side of this pursuit is that it can make people treat themselves with disrespect. Examples can be found in famous singers or actors who have humiliated themselves for the sake of popularity.

4)    The pursuit of prestige
Some people want to be able to associate themselves with something very valuable. They want to be able to tell people “I went to Harvard and I drive a Rolls Royce.” Associating one’s name with a brand when answering the question “What car are you driving? What type of clothes are you wearing?” might be this type of person’s main motivation.

5)    The pursuit of money
Some people do not care about the pursuits mentioned before, their main motivation being money. Their clothes may be dirty, their car falling apart, that is not important to them. They may be as rich as Croesus and amazing in business, but such workaholics focused on the bottom line that they neglect other aspects of their lives.

6)    The pursuit of excellence
Someone pursuing excellence might think “I don’t just want to be a footballer, I want to be the best!” Whether in studies, athletics, or work they need to be at the top of the list.

7)    The pursuit of impact
This type of person may think “I want to do something for others. To leave my mark on this earth.” Doctors who risk their lives to help people in need, in countries that are at war, often think about the impact they would like to have on those they are caring for. Nelson Mandela spent a third of his life in jail defending his ideals all the time believing in the impact he could have. Truth and justice, and the impact he was convinced he would make, were more important to him than any other pursuit.

A motivating exercise can be to look in the mirror every day and ask: today, what am I pursuing? The answer might just help us achieve the objectives we want.

Photo credit: jill111 via Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain License