My friend told me the other day that I will never be able to change the world.
“You will never change the world”
My friend told me the other day that I will never be able to change the world.
I do not blame him. I think it is very easy to get put off by the romantic vision of some day making an impact on the world. Most of these grand visions seem fluffy, unreachable and honestly pointless.
Most of the time when people talk about ‘changing the world’ they speak with their ego. They want to change the world such that they make a ton of money or become extremely well known.
My first point in this (very) short essay is that I think ‘changing the world’ is a very abstract term. I prefer to say that I want to solve an important problem.
I enjoy solving problems. The challenge is not only interesting/fun, but also helps me grow quickly. Important problems are inherently valuable to society and help people.
Secondly, I think, for whatever reason people get motivated to make an impact — is a good one. In other words, if someone is just seeking attention/fame in the beginning of their quest to say, solve a problem, what is wrong with that?
Inevitably, they may have to shift their desires/motivations/etc. but why discourage them in the first place?
Personally, I view all of these “things” — money, etc. as tools to get freedom. I value freedom. I do not inherently value money. I value money because I value freedom. If pancakes got me closer to freedom, then I would probably chase after pancakes.
Originally published at gonen.blog.
By jordangonen on December 27, 2017.
Exported from Medium on February 17, 2018.