A few weeks ago, I sat outside around a fire alongside two highly successful entrepreneurs. Both, wonderful human beings.
As they began asking me questions about my work, the conversation steered towards minimalism. I shared not just about the work I do around the topic, but the profound, positive impact it has been on our lives.
My friends were intrigued—but surprisingly skeptical. They could understand the connection between clutter and distraction and even commented how clean they like to keep their garages.
But as we began to press deeper into the implications, the notion that one could maintain ambition without the pursuit of larger houses in nicer neighborhoods, more expensive cars, and an abundance of material possessions for their families seemed foreign to them.
One remarked, “I think I’m just too entrepreneurial. That’s just my heart. And my drive for nicer stuff keeps me motivated, which is a good thing for my business. I don’t think the minimalist lifestyle is for me.”
Quietly, I thought to myself, “Well, I’m an entrepreneur too, you know…”
But my audible response was this, “I’m not suggesting we lose ambition. I’m suggesting we can find greater ambition by redirecting it towards more meaningful pursuits than the accumulation of material possessions.”
That evening, I shared a modest list of alternative motivations that inspire me.
But as I’ve thought about that conversation quite a bit since then, I’d like to take a moment and provide a more comprehensive list of where we can find motivation and ambition apart from material possessions.
Perhaps we will all find it helpful.
Before we dive into this list, it occurs to me that not all motivations are equally fulfilling. Even though any number of pursuits can motivate us (and tend to do so), some are better than others.
In fact, my most recent book, Things That Matter, is about this very topic. The book is about recognizing and overcoming the distractions that keep us from a meaningful life. And every topic raised in the book exists precisely because it can become a motivating factor in our lives.
So let me divide this list into two categories (fleeting motivations and longer-lasting motivations):
Motivations Beyond Material Possessions (but equally less-fulfilling)
1. Money
It is not uncommon for people to shift their focus away from accumulating possessions but remain focused on amassing wealth. In fact, some people embrace minimalism for that very reason. So let’s start here.
Someone can remove the pursuit of flashy possessions, but still remain motivated by the endless pursuit of increasing their net worth. It is understandable, common, and even encouraged in our world. I just personally believe there are more fulfilling goals to chase.
2. Early Retirement
Equally so, the dream of early retirement can be enticing, motivating individuals to work tirelessly. Again, some will embrace a minimalist lifestyle for the sole purpose of achieving this even earlier. And while the motivation to work may wane after retirement has been achieved, it can certainly be a major driver for a period of time.
Again, and why I place this motivation in this category, the pursuit of leisure can quickly distract us from fulfilling work and meaningful pursuits.
3. Accolades
The pursuit of fame, recognition, and praise can drive individuals to remarkable achievements. In fact, as I write in Things That Matter, this motivation trips me up more than I like to admit.
There’s nothing wrong with receiving praise for a job well done or a life well-lived, but when that becomes the goal rarely do we achieve it.
4. Power
A desire for influence, control, and power has motivated more than one man and woman in the world today.
5. Competition
Healthy competition can spur innovation and growth, for sure. But when winning, just for the sake of beating the other guy, becomes the biggest motivator in our lives, we can miss out on the importance of cooperation, joy, and lifting others up along the way.
This list of five motivations, all different than physical possessions, can move us to work hard and remain ambitious.
While these motivations can lead to success in some societal definitions of the term, they don’t result in our greatest meaning and lasting fulfillment. Even worse, they often result in regret at the end of our lives.
So let’s turn our attention to more enriching sources of motivation—passions with more meaning, more fulfillment, and fewer regrets.
Motivations Beyond Material Possessions (with more fulfilling outcomes)
6. Being the Best Version of Myself
The quest for personal growth and self-improvement is a noble journey. It encourages us to constantly evolve, learn, and embrace our fullest potential. With this as a goal, motivation never ends.
7. Setting an Example for My Family
The desire to be a role model for our loved ones can be a powerful motivator—especially children. It pushes us to embody the values and virtues we wish to pass down.
8. Making a Positive Difference
The aspiration to leave the world better than we found it motivates us to engage in acts of kindness and service—always working our hardest to achieve it.
9. Advocating for Justice
We have an ingrained desire for fairness. The pursuit of justice and equality in our communities and the wider world can drive us to take action, speak up, and contribute to meaningful change.
10. Solving Problems We See in the World
Whether it’s addressing a spiritual need, a financial need, a societal need, a health crises, or the impact of a natural disaster, the drive to solve problems—whether down the street or around the globe—can lead to a compelling motivation and sense of purpose.
11. Living Faithfully
For many, faith is a profound source of motivation, guiding actions, inspiring service, and encouraging faithfulness every day in both small and big ways.
12. Loving Others
A pure and simple love for others guides many of these motivations already listed when you think about it. Love inspires us to be the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be so that we can live for and benefit others.
13. Cultivating Relationships
Investing in deep, meaningful relationships with family, friends, and community members can be incredibly fulfilling and inspiring.
14. Impacting our Local Community
The desire to create or contribute to a sense of community and belonging can motivate us to engage in local initiatives, social events, and group activities that bring people together.
15. Creating and Innovating
We all have an internal desire to create. For some, this looks like art, music, or writing. For others, their creativity is expressed in parenting, relationships, systems, inventions, or problem-solving. The desire to be as creative as we can be can be highly motivating to us.
16. Living Up to Expectations
No one is here because of themselves entirely. We all stand on the shoulders of those who have come before. While not always the case, sometimes we feel a healthy responsibility to those who invested in our lives and we can find constant motivation in living up to the example that they set for us.
No doubt there are even more motivating factors in life that I didn’t even think to add to the list: lifelong learning, environmental stewardship, personal passion projects, celebrating art and culture all come to mind. Perhaps you have others that you can add in the comment section below.
Minimalism is the intentional pursuit of our greatest values by removing everything that distracts us from them. We own less, so we can live more, focused on things that matter.
Some may use minimalism as a means to check out of life and go lay on a beach for the rest of their lives. But you’ll never find that promoted in my writings.
Minimalism allows us to live a more ambitious life. It is not about selling short. It is not about losing drive or ambition or that entrepreneurial spirit. It is about redirecting that ambition towards things that actually matter.
Because our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and accumulating material possessions.
Betsy says
I finally had to be honest with myself. The pursuit of things wore me out body, soul and mind. Now my pursuits are more kindness to others based.
Margi Popp says
What a wonderful read for this early morning riser. I am to be 75 this month. I agree the pursuit of stuff is not as fulfilling as the initial purchase. I am still working, I am a Realtor which allows me to help people achieve their dreams. I never really had a vision or a goal of what retirement was or how it would be accomplished. I was always a worker bee and was generous with my time and money. I always enjoyed making someone else happy above my own needs… therefore I will always be working because I cannot say no…thanks to each of you for your wisdom and may you be grateful for every morning you are allowed to wake up and make a difference.
Muskoka says
This is a powerful reminder that there’s more to life than just stuff! While I understand the appeal of nice things, the idea of finding motivation in personal growth, making a difference, and connecting with others resonates way more. It’s inspiring to consider how minimalism can help us focus on what truly matters and live a more fulfilling life. Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking perspective!
Amanda says
Great article! Thank you!
Tim Smith says
The most profound insight that ever happened for me to understand how much things are worth is working at a cemetery in the burial process.
The hole is only 38 inches wide by 90 inches long about 4 1/2 feet deep not a whole lot of room for all those things accumulated during your short time here on mother earth.
All that stress, all that time away from friends and family, all that everything you went through just to leave it all behind, and is it actually appreciated for those who inherited it after you are gone?
It just makes me appreciate the simple things in life, just my two cents!
Alice says
Spot on, Tim.
Michelle says
Profound perspective. Thank you!
John P. Weiss says
Great observations as usual, Joshua. My thought is, a certain degree of financial security makes all the other things you suggest easier. If you’re working two jobs to make ends meet, it might be harder to exercise regularly, or volunteer, etc. And for me, retiring early at 52 from my law enforcement career enabled me to have the time to work out more regularly, read more, and become a full-time writer. But in the end, your message is spot on. There’s more to life than endless stuff.
joshua becker says
Thanks John. One thought I had reading your always wise and thoughtful comment. I tend to think that if you’re doing the other things on this list, the financial security tends to appear. Of course, being a full-time writer myself, I would never say “I retired early to become a full-time writer.” “I changed my work to become a writer” is how I would describe the transition.
Dolly Block says
We own less but have so much more! It’s not the material things in life that are really fulfilling. I love being able to focus on more important lasting things. Thank you for your messages I find them very encouraging 😊
Judy says
Good stuff, Joshua!
Holly says
I agree with almost all you say here, but have a quibble with considering the desire for early retirement as a “less-fulfilling” motivation for minimalism. I knew early-on in a demanding career that it was not the life I wanted, not because I wanted “leisure” but because I wanted enough time to be kind — to myself and others. I began to prepare an exit plan, getting out of debt, cutting out the unnecessary, and beginning to realize that many of the shiny baubles I wanted or had bought were false attempts to ease the pain of a frantic life. In mid-life I downsized to a less pressured career and began to heal. At 62 I jumped ship. Despite a few expensive mistakes along the way, my plan had worked. I retired with just a little bit more than I absolutely needed to live modestly comfortably. The eight years since then have been the best years of my life. I have TIME, something no amount of money or fame can buy. Time to talk to people and volunteer, time to enjoy the goodness of this world and to work to preserve it, time to “praise God and enjoy God forever.” Now at the threshold of 70, health issues are beginning to creep in, I am so happy to have left the rat race as soon as I could.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment Holly. If you left a demanding career so you could devote more time and energy to serving others in a different capacity than you did in your career, I wouldn’t call that retirement. That’s just changing the work you do in the world.
Carolyn Murphy says
Joshua, You changed my life forever! I have a decluttered home, a few important new habits, and a new life. As we go through life, we are different people with different requirements, interests, abilities and whys as we age. At your age.. you and a lot of your audience are still working age, many with kids at home, and typically lots of physical ability. I find at age 76 things are very different. I cannot physically do what I used to. I love and often need a nap. I can enjoy doing nothing but look at the pretty trees. I do not want to leave home to volunteer somewhere.
It would be nice to hear from other people in my age bracket living their best lives. Not those who are climbing Mt. Everest, but those who wake each day thrilled to be awake and get together withe friends for a game of cards. Perhaps give a bit to their community, but not the all consuming volunteer work that younger folks can do.
I feel guilty that I do not want to do many things you advocate as I feel I did that already. I have much less time ahead of me than behind me and I am ready for me!
Now… I do manage my communities website, publish the newsletter and help any neighbor with computer issues that ask. I think that is enough at my age. This girl just wants to have fun!
Again, thanks for my lovely decluttered home and lesrning to reset.. game changers!
Lemonie Tell says
I love your comments! Although I’m only 51, an accident has left me unable to work and mostly difficult to go anywhere, so I just potter about at home. I’m generally happy but also can’t do most of what’s on the lists.
Life doesn’t usually go the way that we are expecting so it’s good that minimalism helps in all sorts of ways; physically and mentally.
Wishing you the best 😃
Marjoe says
Loved reading your comments! We are 65&68 living in a retiree town of 40k. Most are very active and outdoors a lot as we have forest and lakes within 4 miles. Our town would not survive without it’s older volunteers (most older than us). We arrived 10 years ago and used to do much more. Covid had us rethinking many things. I have decluttered and minimalized our home and volunteerism. Hubby still works on building and maintaining the hundreds of miles of trails here. I make quilts for the community with a local quilt guild. And we sometimes work at the local IndigenousPeoples museum. But I do love my home and spend much time here sewing, reading, sitting on deck watching the birds, mountains, and sunsets. I feel I have the best of everything and a nice balance. We were the one’s that worked towards early retirement. We also learned too late that we are not defined by our jobs or careers. I wish Joshua had been around 30 years ago with his insights.
Abby Muller says
Carolyn,
I am 73 and share your take on activities at this time of life. I still feel guilty from time-to-time that I am not “doing” more but as the days and years go by the guilt ebbs! It feels so good not to be constrained by a schedule. It seems feeling scheduled from birth until retirement at 62 yrs. was quite enough. College, graduate school, busy and fulfilling career — that does it for me. I enjoy my family, friends, neighbors, gardening, reading, taking care of my home. Naps and nature figure high on my list! We are in good company!
Betsy says
Carolyn, I totally understand where you’re coming from. My sister went through a divorce and raised 3 children with no child support. She worked full time and managed to keep a roof over their heads and all the necessities they needed. She is older now and her favorite place is home. Her favorite days are when she doesn’t have to leave her home. She too is having physical issues but helps out with her great grandchildren and neighborhood issues. It sounds to me like you are contributing in the best way you can.