letting enjoyment lead to sucess

[kareina]

One of my loved ones recently sent me a link to an article he found interesting. The article's premise was that we shouldn't ask ourselves what we want, but rather what we are willing to suffer to get. That all of the classic goals come with a price. (e.g. Being able to afford a yacht tends to come with some pretty long hours at a high-stress job, having a bikini body tends to come with either starving yourself or long hours at the gym (or both), etc.)

I found this amusing, because, for me, the things I achieve tend not to come with a price of suffering, but because I honestly enjoy the process of getting there--my lifestyle choices include lots of things I enjoy doing, and doing them gets me some cool goals/benefits/rewards.

How did I wind up with a PhD? I was having fun doing research.

Why is my house cleaner than many other people's homes? because I actually like the process of making things clean--watching the transition from icky to shiny is fun, and being the one to make it happen is joyful.

Why do I have only hand-sewn costumes in my closet, because I like the part about sliding the threaded needle through the fabric.

Why am I getting a fitter better body now than I have ever had before? Because I am actually enjoying my workouts.

So, one could take the approach of the author in that article, and ask yourself what goals are worth working for. Or, one could take my approach--what things that are fun to do lead to goals worth having?

Comments

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

I'd agree; it's not suffering; its enjoying. Besides - enjoyment is a lot more fun!

[aryanhwy.livejournal.com]

I realized after I posted that post the other day about techniques for writing productivity that I missed out on something, namely, that when I finally do buckle down to the writing, I really really love what I do. I find it enjoyable in a way that I find very few other things. I think if you don't really love what you're doing, taking on a productivity work-load like mine would be soul-destroying.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

yes, yes it would!

[katerit.livejournal.com]

There can be hardship/sacrifice in achieving what is wanted, but if the majority of the experience is suffering then the price is usually too high.

I'll trade off pain for a walk through Yosemite because underneath the pain I am having an amazing experience. I will trade off the hard work of cooking a feast because I love doing it.

I will not work long hours at a job that eats me just for material things, but I will undergo a rotten commute to live somewhere with beauty and to make a life for myself and my family.

I also suffer more when not striving in the ways that bring me joy or challenge.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

Indeed!