Continuing through this summary review of Robert Greene’s Laws of Human Nature, the catch phrase for the law of aimlessness is: Advance with a sense of purpose.
“He who has a why to live, can bear with almost any how.” Nietzsche
Purpose
Animals rely heavily on instinct to steer clear of danger. Humans must rely on their own judgment. Following our instincts moment to moment produces aimless wandering. Developing a sense of purpose, a calling in life, and using that to guide us will prevent aimlessness.
We can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our tastes, and our preferences. When we lack purpose, we become increasingly insecure. With a sense of purpose, we are less likely to suffer from depression. It’s best to avoid working with, or hiring, people who are motivated by a false sense of purpose, since their unproductive energy will drag you down. IF you surround yourself with people who have a strong sense of purpose, they’ll pull you upward.
“Operating with a high sense of purpose is a force multiplier. The many sides of your character are channeled into this purpose, giving you more sustained energy.”
Strategies for Developing a High Sense of Purpose
Developing a sense of purpose, you’ll encounter many challenges. Others may distract you from finding your true direction by instilling doubt in your heart. Overcome these obstacles by following these five strategies.
1) Discover your calling in life
Often the earliest signs of your true calling can be located in the earliest years of your life. Consider those times in your life when you felt natural and at ease doing certain things, as if you were running with the wind at your back. As you pursue your purpose,
2) Use resistance and people’s negative opinions
Some people will resist you along the way. Take their negative opinions and judgments as motivation for your purpose.
3) Absorb purposeful energy
Associating with people who have a strong sense of purpose will allow you to absorb their purposeful energy.
4) Create a ladder of descending goals
If you set long term goals, it will give you incredible clarity, but looking at all the steps needed to get there will likely generate anxiety. Create a series of smaller goals from the present to the future.
5) Lose yourself in the work
Dedicate uninterrupted time for your work. Focus on the work, not the recognition or the reward.
The Lure of False Purposes
We’re all aware of how insignificant we are in a world with billions of others. In order to feel bigger than ourselves, we need to feel larger than ourselves. Many people however search for meaning on the cheapest and easiest terms possible. Throughout history, humans without purpose have been attracted to five common false purposes:
1) The Pursuit of Pleasure
We often think of work as just a boring necessity of life. Ultimately we are motivated by avoiding pain, and finding as much pleasure as possible outside work. Pursuit of pleasure takes many different forms: sexual activities, recreational stimulants, or other forms of entertainment. Operating with a sense of purpose gives us an understanding of the importance of placing limits on ourselves.
2) Causes and Cults
Humans have a deep desire to believe in something. With a lack of unifying belief, cults fill the void. Groups with disciples who are vague in their objectives should be viewed with caution. The group is probably more about just releasing emotions.
3) Money and Success
Pursuit of money and success can motivate people. Oddly enough, many of the richest, most successful people were never driven by that in the first place. Success will often follow if you set your mind on your goal and maintain a high sense of purpose.
4) Attention
In attempts to feel more important, people have always desired fame and attention. This false sense of purpose has been greatly democratized through social media. By cultivating a strong sense of purpose and creating projects which are naturally appealing, we’ll have a much better chance of attracting attention.
5) Cynicism
“Man would rather have the void as purpose, than be void of purpose”. (Nietzsche)
Cynicism is the conviction that existence is meaningless. This attitude becomes a false purpose.
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My Notes:
I think cynicism is defined wrongly. Cynicism is the belief that almost every good cause out there is just a ruse, and that people are motivated purely by self-interests. Nihilism is the belief that existence has no meaning.
As a born-again Christian, I will note that the prescribed remedy here is written into Christianity.
First, Christianity posits that there IS a God, he HAS a purpose, and YOU are called to partake in it.
We are called to be part of the church, the wider body of Christ, but also a local body, which gives you a place, and really, a calling.
The church should be a place where you get involved in other people’s lives, interact, lead and follow, and minister. This meets deep psychological needs to find purpose, but also to push ourselves and grow, it gives us places where we can incrementally step out of comfort zones. It gives us a variety of options and areas we can minister.
I have noticed for a long time that there is a place for every type of personality in the church. The quiet type can find ministry, the adrenaline junky, scholars, clowns, artists, speakers, accountants, whatever type of personality or ability you have, has a place in the body of Christ.
I have long taken this as a sign that Christianity is a belief broad enough to encompass the spectrum of real human needs and outlets. This may not be proof of its truth, but I would expect any explanation of the world that is true to include something like this.