Very few people, if you were to sit across from them over coffee, would proclaim that owning everything in the world is their greatest goal in life.
Most people would answer quite differently.
When you engage in heartfelt conversations and ask people what they want to accomplish in life, most speak of love, relationships, impact, and significance. They desire to live meaningful lives, close to the people they love the most. Many speak of faith. Or they talk about solving important problems. But very few proudly declare, “I just want to make as much money and own as much stuff as I possibly can.”
Our hearts speak of something greater, more fulfilling, and longer lasting.
I bet yours does too.
And yet, too often it seems, we trade our heart’s greatest pursuits and greatest passions for the temporal possessions of this world.
I once had dinner with a man who mentors outgoing CEO’s and corporate executives in the Pacific Northwest. I asked him about his work and how he got started in it. He told me, “Joshua, I had a surprising number of retiring executives come to me and say something along the lines of, ‘I feel like I wasted my life.’”
He went on to tell me more. That these men and women had spent their lives investing into and building companies that were successful by almost every standard of measurement. But at the end, the only question they were asking was, “Was it all worth it?”
Now, just to be clear, this is not a post about the merits of corporations or their executives. Indeed, some of the people I most look up to in life are highly successful in business and live meaningful lives at the same time.
This is a post about something else entirely. This is a post about the temptation that surrounds each of us, every day, to trade our greatest passions for the things of this world.
Because minimalism is about more than owning less.
Minimalism is also about alignment.
It is about removing the burden of unnecessary physical possessions from our homes and lives. But it is also about reevaluating the esteem that possessions hold in our affections. And being intentional about removing the distractions that keep us from realizing our most important goals.
It is freeing to own less. Owning less frees up money and time and energy and focus. But it frees up more than that.
Minimalism frees our lives to realign our resources around the greatest passions of our heart. (tweet that)
And this is a benefit that cannot be overstated.
Grab a sheet of paper. Across the top, write, “The Three Most Important Things I Want to Accomplish with My Life.”
Quietly, make your list.
When you are finished, begin asking yourself hard questions about alignment. Am I spending my money pursuing these accomplishments? Have I crafted a life that devotes enough time and energy toward this list? Have I allowed any distractions (whether physical possessions or time commitments) to take precedence over any of these items? Are there other, less important pursuits in my life keeping me from fully accomplishing this list?
Have I allowed my greatest passions and most important desires to be usurped by the world around me? Have I chased society’s definition of success rather than my own?
In the end, we’re all going to ask ourselves, “Were the things I devoted my life to worth it?”
And if we discover at that time, that we traded our most meaningful passions for the things of this world, it will be a trade we’ll regret making.
Monica says
I definitely agree with this post. Minimalism often gives some of the physical and financial space that we need for alignment, and I think that the overall mindset also allows for us to be more aware of how we spend our time as well. To me, that has been one of the most important things. Choosing well how to spend all of our resources in alignment of our true goals, but right now I am especially aware of time.
Jon says
A great read, once again. Your blog inspires someone like me who also aspire to create motivational content for readers/visitors. Keep up the awesome work.
Thanks,
Jon | Bucket List Fanatic
Per Thomsen says
It’s so true, that when you ask people what they want they reply with “love, relationships, impact, and significance. Meaningful lives, close to the people they love the most. Many speak of faith. Or they talk about solving important problems.” but most peoples actions or lives tell a different story. they still work longer hours to have more to get closer to that goal of owning everything. I think it’s an addiction to always needing something more.
I’ve been selling and getting rid of most of my possessions and it’s very hard, it’s difficult to let go of these things which you don’t really need
Sandy says
Minimalism is all about organising what you want in a better way and use the remaining stuff at another place where they can be appreciated better.
Terri says
So very true. I could have stayed at a job I was no longer happy in, a few years ago, and in a city that I needed to leave, but I decided to take a leap of faith, take a completely new direction in careers, and I get paid a whole lot less. I miss aspects of the old career, but now I realize I can live on SO much less. So much less money and stuff. And it is freeing. I definitely don’t want to get to the end of my life and feel like I’ve wasted it.
Judy says
Jesus said, “What good would it do a man to gain the world, but lose his soul?”
If I had to be honest, sure—I would like to have more money. It has always been a “dream” of mine to live in a historical mansion. BUT—just a dream, because I love history and touring old homes. It would take a lot to get a house like that in the state I live in. I could move south and get a plantation home, but my family is more important and I would never leave them (everyone lives here).
I never had massive amounts of money and I can’t imagine what that would even feel like! I know for sure though that money doesn’t buy happiness. Hand a million bucks to someone who just lost a loved one too soon. They would gladly have the person back, not the money.
Jan says
My husband and I are both employed in well paying public service positions. We both love our work and have a very strong work ethic. We have strived over the years to set ourselves up financially, both for your future and for our children. I will admit we have been extravagant at times with our purchases, spending on things we enjoy. The past few years we have focused more so on experiences (overseas travel) over things. I embrace minimalism more so than my husband, but I am bringing him around. Our children on the other hand do not grasp the concept of minimalism and I struggle with not giving into their requests for more and more stuff, such as the latest iPhone! We can afford to buy them what they want, but how does that teach them to value their things, and to not desire the latest gadget purely because it supersedes the current model, and not because they need it. We are generous with our money – we regularly donate to worthwhile charities and those in need.
My point is this: whilst embracing the concept of minimalism I believe it is still possible to be remunerated for the work you enjoy doing and to use that remuneration to provide for those you love and those less fortunate, as well as on experiences that enrich your life!
Jeffrey Pillow says
Really enjoyed this piece.
“Minimalism is also about alignment.”
Bam! Right there.
I once worked a job in which I got great pleasure from the work I did on a daily basis. I worked on important initiatives related to health care that truly impacted people’s lives. Very gratifying.
Then, one day, my department was reorganized and I found myself in a (higher) corporate position that was dedicated more toward the profit side of the business.
The work I did no longer aligned with my values. I did not feel as if I was contributing to the greater good. Instead, I was contributing to the bottom line.
Shortly thereafter I moved into a new position that once again aligned with my values that I am still in. Sure, this job stresses me the hell out some days—like many jobs can/do. However, this position also gives me great pleasure seeing its positive impact in the community up close and in person.
When someone asks me what I do for a living, I actually have to refrain from saying, “Make the world a better place.”
Because that’s what I remind my team we do, because we do.
I do give my kids that answer though :)
Judy says
“Make the world a better place.”
I think that’s a great answer! :)
Nancy says
If I truly feel relief at reading these posts, but am over an edge and unable to become minimal in one day, do I believe and embrace? I want to think so…I want to be where the posts take me. Thank you!!
Sunshine says
Nancy, I know that feeling well and feel for you. Just start today and this time next year you won’t have so far to go. Every step adds up. Like a diet or a mountain climb or anything you want to do. If you do a little at a time, you will get there.
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says
Hi Joshua! Such an important reminder. Alignment trumps just about everything. If we are not in alignment with our deepest goals and values it is likely that we will run around trying to mask the pain by buying too much stuff, overworking at jobs we don’t really like, staying as busy as we possibly can and pretending we are just “fine.” Far better to find out what really matters to us as early as possible so that at the end of our lives we don’t ask ourselves, “was it worth it?” We will already know the answer. Thanks for more great reminders. ~Kathy