The key to happiness is in the drive, not the achievement.
The Olympics captivate audiences worldwide, appealing to both sports enthusiasts and casual viewers. As you watch the competitions in Paris this year, I challenge you to reflect on what brings happiness to these athletes. What can we learn from them about where satisfaction comes from, and how can we apply these insights to our own lives?
Simon Biles, Team USA gymnast and four-time Olympic champion, faced adversity and mental health challenges that led her to withdraw from the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Biles is back this summer in Paris. In a recent interview, she said, “I want to see how far I can go. I want to see what I’m capable of so once I step away from the sport, I can truly be happy with my career and say I gave it my all.” While the numerous medals represent the hard work and dedication of Biles and many other Olympic medalists, her words illustrate that one’s sense of purpose goes deeper than winning medals.
What drives success and satisfaction?
In their book Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey emphasize that true satisfaction and happiness often come from facing adversity. Interestingly, neuroscientists have found that the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), which contributes to the cognitive and emotional processes underlying tenacity and persistence, enlarges when we engage in tasks we do not want to do–pretty incredible! While achievements symbolize the struggles endured, the journey and process provide the meaning the soul craves.
Michael Jordan, an icon on the basketball court and, like Biles, a gold-medal Olympic athlete, epitomized this persistence when he famously said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
What drives each of us is unique. In a conversation with Dr. Peter Attia on The Drive podcast, Dr. Paul Conti discusses different types of drive. He explains that an assertive or pleasure drive motivates us to act to avoid pain and seek safety and security. A generative drive is innate in everyone and fuels our creativity and growth. Conti states, “If we inquire, if we become curious about ourselves, we learn so much more about what is going on inside of us, and it can guide us towards change.”
Learning is the seed of life. Navigating the toughest of times and situations can help us identify our sense of purpose. Consider Dr. Mohammad Mahboob Siddiqui, who found happiness when he transitioned from a well-established career as a medical doctor to a career in medical sales and training, living a life that tapped into his love of relationships and connection. This shift to his true passion occurred after more than 20 years in his career. Happiness can be defined at any stage in life, driven by an inherent, burning desire to create, grow, and learn.
Discover your generative drive
How do we discover our generative drive, the inner spark that ignites happiness? Much like the five Olympic rings, there are five essential Rs for building this connection:
- Reconnect: Seek out your truth and connect with people who can support you in your journey. Write down cherished memories and moments that brought you the greatest joy. Tools like the Strengths Survey can help you uncover your hidden values.
- Refocus: Tune into your body through breathing and mindfulness practices. Patrick Dossett’s Madefor program offers ways to cultivate a positive mindset.
- Recharge: Prioritize rest and sleep; sleep offers many documented benefits to facilitate all life functions. Unplug from your devices and take a break from the noise of life.
- Recreate: Try something new. Visit a new restaurant, explore a new walking route, or join a volunteer group. Go outside your comfort zone and tap into your creativity.
- Reignite: Focus on positive thoughts and release past negativity or guilt. Dr. Ardeshir Mehran’s Bill of Emotional Rights provides a framework for well-being and growth, encouraging reflection on seven empowering statements: I am, I soar, I matter, I belong, I make, I am boundless, and I am complete.
Olympic athletes train tirelessly for hours and days on end, driven by their passion and purpose. Don’t wait another minute to start thriving. Find your drive, embrace your journey, and ignite your happiness today.
Article originally published on July 26, 2024 on Inc.com.