What gets you out of bed in the morning? I don’t mean the alarm clock, the bathroom, or the smell of coffee brewing. I’m talking about that deeper motivation, the sense of purpose that drives you to face each day.

For me, understanding this has been a journey, one significantly shaped by the insightful work of Dr. Michael Steger, a professor at Colorado State University. His research opened my eyes to the essential role that meaning plays in our overall well-being and life satisfaction. It’s not just a fluffy, feel-good idea; it’s backed by hard evidence and countless studies, proving that the presence of meaning in our lives is a cornerstone of joy, well being and life satisfaction. Meaning, as it turns out, is a game-changer and it’s undeniably powerful.

Presence vs. pursuit of meaning

However, what’s often less understood is the nuanced way Steger measures meaning. His tool assesses two critical aspects: the presence of meaning and the pursuit of meaning. The presence of meaning—being aware and appreciative of things, people and experiences in our lives right now—steadily moves our life satisfaction and subjective well-being northwards. But here's the challenge: the pursuit of meaning, if left unchecked, can become a detractor of both.

Simply, if my tendency to search for meaning becomes unbalanced, it can turn into an unhealthy pursuit, robbing me of joy, satisfaction, and well-being. And transparently, this has been and continues to be a potential Achilles' heel for me.

Simply, if my tendency to search for meaning becomes unbalanced, it can turn into an unhealthy pursuit, robbing me of joy, satisfaction, and well-being.

The cycle of constant striving

However, I’ve often found myself caught in what my friend Claire Booth, author of Achiever Fever, describes as a cycle of constant striving, often fueled by chronic feelings of discontent and inadequacy. Achievement and pursuit have often acted as a bit of a drug for me. Claire, a successful but stressed-out market research entrepreneur and executive, suffered from what she called "achiever fever." Ironically, this state of relentless striving left her feeling perpetually inadequate. And, I could relate.

The achiever fever cure

Desperate for relief, Claire, a self-help sceptic, embarked on a journey of exploration—from mindfulness to martial arts, even spending ten days in silence and practising techniques as peculiar as "smiling" at her spleen. Initially, Booth feared that slowing down and softening up would cost her professional edge. Instead, she found a more joyful and purposeful life, one that was surprisingly good for her business too. Her book, The Achiever Fever Cure, is a frank, funny, and inspiring story of her road to recovery, bolstered by her survey of other high-achieving professionals. The bottom line—pursuit and striving generally steal joy, even when it’s a pursuit of meaning.

Finding balance

This realization hit me hard: if I didn’t do the real work of focusing on the things already present in my life that give me meaning, I would ultimately suffer. I needed to balance my pursuit of meaning with an appreciation for what I already had. It’s a fine line to walk, and I often stumble, but the awareness itself has been transformative.

This realization hit me hard: if I didn’t do the real work of focusing on the things already present in my life that give me meaning, I would ultimately suffer.

Steger’s work on meaning has shown that it’s not just about finding new sources of purpose but also about recognizing and valuing what we already have. The presence of meaning enriches our lives, bringing us contentment and joy. But an obsessive pursuit of meaning can become an unhealthy cycle, leaving us perpetually dissatisfied.

So, here I am, learning to appreciate the now while balancing my quest for more (meaning). It’s a journey, one that requires constant adjustment, and it’s a worthwhile endeavour.

Peace on your journey,

Pete.