There are extrinsic aspirations and intrinsic aspirations.
Extrinsic aspirations are the houses, cars, and other “things” that we accumulate
that mean wealth, the wealth that we have and the wealth to buy more and more “stuff”.
The more “stuff” that we accumulate, the more places we must have to store our
stuff. These are the trappings which we believe show others how successful we
have become.
Intrinsic aspirations are the intangible feelings or
thoughts that we have. The more good feelings that we have through what we do
for others, the service that we perform, or the helping hands that we have
extended, the more satisfied that we are. It is the sights that we have seen,
the places that we have visited, and the people that we have met and “touched”
in some manner, and the impact that we have left.
We all must decide what is more important to us, not to
other people, but to us. We must decide what we need that provides a feeling of
satisfaction to us. This may mean different things to us over time, changing
from one moment in life to another. Is our satisfaction measured by the
intrinsic things or by extrinsic ones? What is the “thing” that drives us? What
is our “why”?
You must be able to answer what is the reason that you have
arrived at any point in your life. Are you working for someone else, or are you
operating a business that you started? Did you start your business from
scratch, or did you buy a franchise? Did you just “fall into” your current
business situation, or did you plan your place and work towards it? It doesn’t
matter what your current state is, why do you do what you do?
Your “why” impacts how you operate in business. Do you look to
acquire intrinsic aspiration or do you want more extrinsic ones, the stuff that
makes you appear more successful to your public? What makes you happier, how
you feel, or how you look? Are you a networking partner or are you a “player”?
I realize that a certain amount of wealth makes life easier
and allows us to function and accomplish other things, even intrinsic
aspirations. However, wealth cannot buy happiness, real friends, or even that
good feeling at night that you have done so much good during the day. Sometimes
it must be about what you do for others, how you extend service to your
networking partners, not considering what will return to you.
So, we all must ask ourselves what type of aspirations that
we have. Are our dreams of the extrinsic type or are the intrinsic? Do we rate
ourselves, and others, by the number of cars, boats, homes, or bank accounts
that have been accumulated? Or do we look at how “good” we feel about building
relationships with others, extending service to other business and personal
acquaintances, or just helping strangers.
Decide what makes up your why” and start accumulating those
things which will satisfy you. I’ll bet you decide on the intrinsic side and
learn to enjoy that side of life. Please leave me your comments, or email me at
Jim@JimTeasley.com,
or call me at 360-314-8691. Take a good look at your “why” and
what that means to your life.
Very well said Jim. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
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