In my last Director’s Message, which was written before my summer vacation, I concluded with this question, “What if it was about the money?”
I’ll dig deep into that question. First, I extend a heartfelt wish that you have, or will have a chance, to go away on vacation or create a summer experience. Whether it is a weeklongbeach trip, a family outing, a silent sanctuary, astaycation, a long soak in a tub, barbeque with friends and/or family, renting movies on a raining afternoon, a bike ride or a long walk, it all counts and is worthy of gratitude and celebration.
Now, let me explain “What if it was about the money?” Even though many of us want financial freedom, itwill never really happen if we just go after the money.
You have to know your internal reason — the inner meaning of what you are doing. You have to be fully in touch with why you want what you want.
The search for the meaning of life is as old as civilization. In the Western philosophical tradition, Greeks were the first thinkers to pursue these values. The well-known saying, “Know Thyself” is familiar to many of us, as is Plato’s claim that an unexamined life is not worth living. Eastern philosophers, such as the Buddha, Confucius, Gandhi, and Zarathustra demonstrated the same basic quest for meaning of life. What research shows is that people who are genuinely in touch with their meaning, (at times referred to as intrinsic motivation, inner drive, and divine purpose) and they refuse to lose sight of that, achieve higher levels of well-being and career fulfillment.
First, let me peel back some of the layers within the construct of well-being to include increased capacity to protect yourself from negative occurrences or life consequences, greater happiness, fewer psychological problems, increased life satisfaction, longer life, and a convergence of wealth in relation to a good life.
Secondly, looking at career fulfillment, research shows individuals who experience work meaning are likely to experience a higher level of career maturity, career commitment, job and life satisfaction, life meaning, zest, and income. Click here to read more about meaning in life and work.
This year, I made a conscious commitment to not only follow a financial system and pay attention to my income, expenses, and clear up my money clutter, I also made a commitment to give back to the causes that are meaningful to me. So, whenever I have a day that makes me want to throw my computer across my office, or I don’t feel like getting on a plane and being away from my family, I remind myself, “Nay, it’s not about the money. It is all about being in alignment with my goals, purpose and priorities.”
Women sometimes need a tremendous amount of approval in order to feel free to move forward, and knowing your purpose — your meaning — gives you that permission to thrive and succeed in life and business.
I invite you to give yourself permission to claim your meaning!
Kristine A. Hodsdon RDH, MSEC
Director, RDH eVillage
Kristine’s disclosures: Kristine’s website is http://www.kristineahodsdon.com, and she is a practice management consultant and trainer with the Pride Institute.
