It’s the Doing that Makes a Meaningful Life
“I’m terrified.”
That’s what a friend of mine wrote in a text this week. She’s growing her business, creating an event, and needed to write her marketing materials.
“I have zero skills in writing to market events,” she said. “But I have to start somewhere so I’m just freaking doing it.”
Right? Just freaking do it. There is so much to learn and experience and try in this life and it’s that doing, giving energy to the things we are curious about or compelled by, the things that we value and care about that adds meaning to our lives.
And meaning? Well, that adds years to our life and increases well-being. We are happier and healthier when we do the things that matter to us, according to Michael Steger, director of the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University.
You see? It isn’t the sitting around talking about it for 4 years that adds the meaning. I know. Because I gave it a very good try. I spent years talking about creating my podcast, Polly Campbell, Simply Said. Finally, I signed up for a class, bought a mic and earphones, and launched in about three months. It isn’t perfect. And that almost kept me from creating it at all. But, it’s good and fun and I’ve learned so much. I’ve heard from listeners that they like it too, downloads are tripling each month, and all of this feels good and meaningful. Worthwhile.
It’s the process that matters most. The doing. And that’s where we get stuck because the process is imperfect and messy and scary.
Think parenting. It no-kidding sucks at times, keeps us from sleeping at night, and yet adds so much meaning and value to our lives.
Think about your job or volunteer efforts. These things take effort. Hard work. We don’t always want to do them. But we feel better when we get going. When we contribute and learn and grow. When we participate.
Life isn’t in the talking about. It isn’t in the planning. And perfection? Not an option.
Growth doesn’t work that way. This is why doing the thing that feels meaningful or important is also scary, because it matters and we want to get it right. And we won’t. Not every time out. But it isn’t about getting it right. It’s about doing.
It isn’t the outcomes that create an awesome life. It’s the living itself.
What will you freaking do today?
OK. Now, get after it. This is our time.
