This will come as a surprise to many, but numbers will nearly never make you happy.
Making more money than last year.
Having more likes than yesterday.
Getting more followers for the sake of followers.
Doesn’t matter what the numbers represent, they don’t make us happy.
The problem with numbers is that no matter what, there will always be one that’s a better one.
“I made $1,000,000 last year. Got a new Audi, a new house, and Prada clothes…Next year, I want $1,500,000 so I can get a second house, and maybe a Lambo.”
“I got my first 100,000 followers on YouTube! I’m going to double my content so I can get to 500,000 sooner.”
“You got a 95% and 96% on your tests! Great job! Go for 100% next time.”
So long as you do things for the sake of numbers, you will find no meaning in life.
The numbers must be the byproduct of doing meaningful work — the other way around is impossible.
Numbers — like wealth — can bring security or stability in some cases, but pursuit of them will only ever bring frustration, greed, and despair.
Do meaningful work and do good work for the sake of meaning and goodness. If numbers are meant to be, they will trickle in.
You will find much more joy in life in pursuit of meaning.
Not numbers.
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These are distillations from my coming book “YouDaimonia: the Ancient Philosophy of Human Flourishing.”