By Eric Maisel

This article is the fourteenth installment in a series titled Everything You Thought You Knew About Meaning is Wrong. To connect, reach out at ericmaisel@hotmail.com or visit https://ericmaisel.com/. Enjoy the series!

In my exploration of meaning opportunities, I've classified them into distinct categories. However, in reality, these concepts interconnect. Service, ethical actions, and good deeds are intertwined, just as pleasure and satisfaction are. Here, we will focus on two intertwined meaning opportunities: achievement and excellence.

We are inherently driven by our egos, strong desires, and the pursuit of excellence. Even those who choose a more detached, philosophical lifestyle may still value achievement and excellence. For instance, a secluded monk might aspire for the wine he creates to be exceptional and perhaps even award-winning. Such aspirations remain significant meaning opportunities, even if he approaches his attachment to accolades with humor.

We often celebrate our perseverance, the reputation we build in our professions, and the completion of significant projects. These accomplishments can lead to fleeting moments of meaning or, in some cases, long-lasting significance. Achieving something noteworthy can evoke a brief sense of purpose or foster an enduring feeling that equates to a meaningful existence. A series of meaningful moments can culminate in a life rich with meaning.

Embracing both "just being" and "active doing" as avenues for meaning is not contradictory. You might find meaning while peacefully sitting by a pond for an hour, soaking in the sunlight, only to later experience it again through a breakthrough at work. Life encompasses both tranquil moments and active pursuits as sources of meaning.

Consider a week spent at a retreat center. You might seek relaxation through yoga and unwinding, while also engaging in a demanding workshop that requires significant effort. One moment, you feel immersed in meaning gazing at the ocean, and shortly thereafter, a meaningful insight emerges from a challenging workshop exercise.

We are designed to derive meaning from our achievements. Yet, many individuals hesitate to strive for success due to self-doubt and fear of disappointment. They may view achievement as an unviable source of meaning, often dismissing it from their lives. Reintroducing it requires gentle self-encouragement, and if successful, it can lead to renewed opportunities for achievement and the accompanying meaning.

Excellence is a closely related concept. In childhood, we are naturally inclined to explore and excel. However, societal pressures can stifle our adventurous spirit, leading us to shy away from experimentation and fear that excellence is beyond our grasp.

This dynamic can result in a mediocre approach to life, where neither experimentation nor the pursuit of excellence is embraced.

Nevertheless, both experimentation and excellence are still accessible as vital meaning opportunities. You can choose to tackle something significant, challenging, and execute it exceptionally well. Initial setbacks and messy attempts may arise, but the pursuit of excellence can yield profound meaning.

The joy of achievement is palpable!

I have witnessed many clients find strength in a particular achievement that serves as a reservoir of meaning, offering them solace during challenging times. Whether it’s publishing a novel, having a song covered by a renowned artist, or showcasing themed photographs in an esteemed gallery, the memory of these accomplishments can rekindle a sense of meaning.

Reflect on this potential. You might find meaning while engaged in meaningful work, but that feeling can also resurface long after the event, perhaps years later while reminiscing by the fire. Achievement and excellence can be enduring gifts, providing existential rewards well beyond their immediate context.

Embrace achievement and excellence. You may realize they’ve been absent from your life’s menu of meaning opportunities—and now, you have the chance to reintroduce them. This could prove to be a significant source of meaning!

READ PART ONE HERE: Everything You Thought You Knew About Meaning Is Wrong: The Even Harder Problem

READ PART TWO: On Craving the Feeling of Meaning

READ PART THREE: Why ‘Is Life Meaningful?’ Is the Wrong Question

READ PART FOUR: Meaning Has Its Reasons

READ PART FIVE: The Cost of Meaning

READ PART SIX: Meaning Has Its Rhythms

READ PART SEVEN: Robbed of Purpose

READ PART EIGHT: Meaning as Nature’s Motivational Tool

READ PART NINE: Your Golden Meaning Opportunities

READ PART TEN: One Golden Meaning Opportunity: Stewardship

READ PART ELEVEN: One Golden Meaning Opportunity: Experimentation

READ PART TWELVE: One Golden Meaning Opportunity: Self-Actualization

READ PART THIRTEEN: One Golden Meaning Opportunity: Appreciation

The story was previously published on The Good Men Project.