Have you ever found yourself in a relentless pursuit of significance? Judging by our collective clamor to be influential, acclaimed, “viral,” I am not alone. Maybe you’ve also pictured yourself on stages addressing thousands in the crowd. Or maybe significance looks different for you—like raising near-perfect kids or being admired at your job, or having the perfect wellness routine and the toned muscles to prove it.

In our journey through life, it’s common to find ourselves caught up in a relentless pursuit of significance. This pursuit can manifest in various forms—chasing after achievements, seeking recognition, or longing for applause and approval from others. We often believe that these external markers of success will validate our worth and affirm our significance.

Take a moment to reflect on your own life journey. Have there been periods when you felt driven to achieve certain goals or attain specific milestones, believing that they would make you feel more significant or valuable? Perhaps it was the pursuit of a prestigious job, the desire for academic excellence, or the need to gain recognition in your field or community.

Consider the emotions and motivations that fueled these pursuits. What were the driving forces behind your desire for external success? Did you find lasting contentment and validation through these achievements, or did you discover that their impact was temporary?

Achievements can bring momentary satisfaction and recognition from others, but this satisfaction often fades, leading us to seek the next accomplishment. The pursuit of external validation can create a cycle of never-ending striving, where our worth becomes intricately tied to our achievements.