Would You Rather Be Happy Or Special?
What would you choose?
Would you rather be happy or special?
For so many of us, our identity is wrapped up in our work, to the extent that we let it become the defining element. That’s not hard to do, especially if we think the work we’re doing is important.
And important work demands something more of us. It requires a commitment and focus and drive that “normal”, “punch-in/punch-out” work doesn’t.
And while there’s a real value to that, it’s a fine line.
The commitments we make to achieve, to create or do something that resonates in some way - to become “special” - can lead us to decisions that we wouldn’t otherwise make. Things that consistently go beyond what, in our heads, we may know to be right.
To spend nights and weekends on work at the expense of time spent with family and friends.
To spend our time on activities that promote our work incrementally rather than personal projects that deliver joy disproportionately.
To remain intently focused on the treadmill even when our mental and physical signals are telling us it’s not the right choice.
Look, I’m not suggesting we live 9-to-5 lives. Nothing great is achieved that way and I’ve written about that time and time again.
And I’ve also been clear that we must commit ourselves to any cause in order to do valuable, meaningful work.
I’m just saying that, at some point, the gains become incremental and they (should) force us to ask ourselves the question:
Do I want to be special, or do I want to be happy?
It’s a tough question to answer, believe me, I get it. But it’s one we have to answer.
