This will make you WANT to work hard.

September 21, 2024

If you do this, it’s inevitable that amazing things will come your way Knowing this will change your life FOREVER

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

When you hear the word “work,” how does it make you feel? For many, just thinking about work can bring feelings of anxiety or fatigue before even starting. The concept of work isn’t usually appealing to most, and I’m no different. Back at Caltech, I often complained with my engineering classmates, wondering how bad it would be if I slacked off. You might associate work with pain, struggle, and less happiness, which can make it difficult to outwork others since you’re putting yourself through more discomfort while others relax at home, watching Netflix. However, there’s a key to making it easier and more enjoyable to outwork your peers, and that’s what I want to share with you today.

At Caltech, I worked hard to become valedictorian and to get into a top 10 university. I did extra math outside of school, led multiple clubs, and played varsity sports. You could say I was outworking a lot of people, right? You might assume I was miserable, but the truth is, I wasn’t. Even now, working more hours than a typical 9-to-5 job, I remain content and have never burned out. Knock on wood! What helps me maintain this level of effort sustainably is something I believe can be key for others too.

Recently, while flying to my sister’s graduation, I listened to a TED Talk by Emily Smith called “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy.” Smith explained that constantly chasing happiness leads to depression because people begin to believe that happiness is the ultimate goal of life. But as George Orwell said, “Men can only be happy when they do not assume that the object of life is happiness.” Living in a first-world country, where we have many comforts, you’d expect people to be happier, yet depression rates remain high. Why? According to Smith, the problem is that people focus too much on happiness and neglect finding meaning in life. If you live on autopilot, taking breaks and practicing self-care solely to feel better, you may eventually ask yourself, “Is this all there is?” Instead of focusing on happiness, we should strive for meaningfulness in our actions.

You might be thinking, “Amy, this sounds abstract; what about actionable steps?” I get it. That’s the problem with much of today’s content—it focuses on tips like waking up at 6 AM or eating healthy, but the essential mindset part is often missing. The key is to reframe how we think about the things we do, focusing on their meaning rather than immediate happiness. Emily Smith says that meaning comes from belonging to something bigger than yourself and from developing your best self. After hearing that, I realized why I could work so hard. It’s not because of some struggle—it’s because I found fulfillment in developing myself and helping others.

Work often has a negative connotation, but waking up with something to strive for brings joy. Some of my wealthiest friends, who can afford to spend their time playing video games or buying luxury items, often feel empty. Their lives lack meaning. So, how can we reframe five common actions to infuse them with meaning?

First, let’s talk about work itself. Rather than seeing work as something you’re forced to do, think of it as moving toward something you already believe you can achieve. My friend Ty told me that he feels capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to, and that’s the attitude we all need. Believe in your potential and recognize that everything in your life—your knowledge, experiences, and relationships—has happened for a reason, to get you where you’re meant to be.

Second, watching TV. There’s nothing wrong with it, but many people spend all their free time in front of the screen. Life is beautiful because of our experiences, not from passively consuming content. When you reframe TV as a way to bond with others or create memories, it becomes more meaningful.

Third, scrolling on your phone. I tried getting into TikTok during the lockdown, but I quickly realized that scrolling aimlessly felt like a lack of control. Instead of allowing your time and attention to be hijacked, seek out content with purpose.

Fourth, video games. While I loved playing them as a child, I’ve since replaced that excitement with the real-world “game” of life. Leveling up in relationships, skills, and opportunities is far more rewarding than accumulating virtual achievements.

Finally, spending quality time with loved ones. It’s easy to become desensitized to the advice to cherish time with family and friends, but the reality is, when you’re on your deathbed, you won’t wish you spent more time at the office. Recharging with people who matter to you gives you the energy to continue your meaningful pursuits.

In conclusion, finding meaning in what we do—whether it’s work, entertainment, or relationships—is key to living a better, happier life. It’s not about chasing happiness but about creating value, both for yourself and for others. So, let’s reframe the way we think, and start living more fulfilling lives!

As we continue discussing how to reframe everyday actions for a more fulfilling life, it’s important to recognize that this mindset shift can be a game-changer. Let’s dig deeper into the next common habits and how reframing them can lead to greater satisfaction and purpose.

Scrolling on your phone is something nearly everyone does. In fact, I tried getting into TikTok during the lockdown, but quickly realized how easy it was to get sucked into content I didn’t even want to see. It felt like I was giving up control of my time, attention, and even my mood. When I didn’t enjoy the videos, I’d close the app, frustrated that I had even opened it. Over time, I gave up trying to consume short-form content entirely because the potential to waste time on things I didn’t choose was just too high. Now, I only go online when I want to learn something specific, whether it’s tips for better productivity or advice on personal development. By actively choosing what I consume, I can make sure my time isn’t wasted and my attention isn’t pulled into distractions. This approach helps me stay in control, instead of letting random content take the wheel.

Video games are another big one. I loved playing games as a kid, especially when I could do it with my sister. But over time, I found myself more captivated by the “game of life.” Now, I see every opportunity to improve myself, my work, and my relationships as a chance to level up. It’s like real-life progression, with tangible rewards that enrich my life, rather than virtual points or badges. Whether it’s earning more money, acquiring new skills, or expanding my opportunities, I find far more excitement in pursuing these real-life challenges than I ever did playing video games. And that’s how I reframe gaming: focusing on achievements in real life rather than in a virtual world. The feeling of progressing in my actual life is far more satisfying and lasting than any video game could offer.

The fifth area to reframe is the time we spend with loved ones. We often hear how important it is to cherish time with family and friends, but sometimes, when you hear advice too often, it starts to lose its impact. You tell yourself you should do it, but it becomes more of a chore than a joy. I’m guilty of this too—telling myself I should work hard all the time, without really focusing on quality time with the people who matter most. But when you take a moment to step back and think about it, you realize that the time spent with your loved ones is one of the most meaningful things you can do. The amount of time we spend with family and close friends diminishes dramatically as we get older, often replaced by time with co-workers. And at the end of the day, when you’re looking back on your life, it’s the memories with your loved ones that will mean the most, not the hours spent at work. So, reframing quality time with family and friends as essential for both recharging and living a fulfilling life helps us prioritize it, instead of treating it as an afterthought.

Now that we’ve discussed how to reframe five common activities—work, watching TV, scrolling on your phone, playing video games, and spending time with loved ones—let’s talk about how this ties back to finding meaning. When you reframe these actions, they become easier and more enjoyable to do because they serve a greater purpose than just momentary pleasure. This, in turn, leads to a more fulfilling life. Meaning comes from belonging to something beyond yourself, from helping others, and from developing the best within you. As Emily Smith pointed out, it’s about serving a purpose greater than your own happiness. This helps you avoid the trap of feeling like life is all about pleasure, and instead allows you to focus on what truly matters.

This mindset shift doesn’t just help you at work—it spills into every aspect of life. When you feel recharged by spending quality time with others, when you limit distractions from phones or video games, when you pursue meaningful work, you become more energized and excited to tackle bigger goals. This cycle of personal growth and fulfillment builds momentum, driving you to continue developing yourself and contributing to the world in ways that align with your purpose.

As Albert Einstein said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” This quote resonates deeply with me now more than ever. Living a happier, more fulfilling life requires the right mindset, and once you have that, everything else becomes easier. It’s not about constantly pushing yourself to do more, but about understanding why you’re doing it and how it brings meaning to your life.

So, I encourage you to reframe the way you think about your daily actions. Find the meaning in what you do, and the pursuit of that meaning will naturally lead to a more joyful, purposeful life. If you’d like to learn more about this concept and how I applied it to overcome my own challenges, you can check out a video where I discuss how I pushed through a disability with the help of this mindset shift.

Please, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with reframing your own habits and finding meaning in your life. Let’s turn the comments section into a supportive space, much like a Reddit thread, where we can share our journeys, learn from each other, and grow together. Thanks so much for being part of this journey with me. Until next time!

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