“Sadly, my cynical view is that human nature will always dictate that we want MORE. And this is true for those on the top.”
This was a comment in response to my blog post “Amazon, Tax Loopholes, and the Call for Responsible Business“. It’s a common refrain that I’ve found myself thinking many times. Without exception, this train of thought always bursts my “hope for the future” bubble and pulls me into an uninspired funk.
But this time, I didn’t join in that same old refrain.
I caught myself before automatically nodding in agreement. Instead, I leaned in to inspect it, turn it over in my mind, and see what else was there.
The desire for “more” is something we all grapple with, whether we realize it or not.
We’re wired to seek progress and growth, both individually and collectively. This drives a lot of life satisfaction. Both progress and growth can be defined as a road to more—more accomplishments, more knowledge, more fill-in-the-blank. This desire for “more” makes sense. It feels like forward motion, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.
The pursuit of “more” can push us to achieve our goals and reach new heights.
Things get tricky when we anchor this desire solely in tangible achievements—like wealth, status, and possessions. To me, this misses the mark.
Just imagine if we shifted our focus of “always wanting more” away from accumulating stuff to the intangible things that are impossible to measure, but also happen to be what make life so much better. Like more love, connection, gratitude, contentment, peace, and understanding. How would that change the decisions we make, the things we value, the way we value ourselves?
How would that change the way we measure success and happiness?
It’s interesting to think about.
And let’s not forget that there’s a limit to how much “more” is actually better. Sometimes, excess can lead to negative consequences, even in the things we value most, like love. It’s like watering plants—if you overdo it, you end up drowning them.
So, where does that leave us? How do we reconcile our natural inclination for “more” with the recognition that sometimes less is actually more? Or sometimes we’re barking up the wrong “more” tree?
The key lies in finding a balance. It’s not about rejecting the pursuit of “more” altogether, but reframing it within a broader context of meaning and purpose. By embracing both the tangible and intangible dimensions of life, we can find more (see what I did there?) balance, fulfillment, and joy in the journey.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you ever find yourself caught up in the pursuit of “more”? How does this manifest in you? And, how do you keep yourself grounded? Send me an email and let me know!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
