The Gratitude — Productivity Paradox
“How can you be content when there is so much suffering in the world?”
I was stunned.
I was trying to explain the benefits of gratitude. The science behind it. And how my app helps people cultivate a grateful mindset.
But she would not take any of it.
She worked at the World Bank in Indonesia. And she had first hand experience with the suffering in her country.
She said, “For me, gratitude is the route to complacency. If I step back and accept the world for what it is, then it will not improve. Being satisfied with the status quo is not acceptable.”
I did not have an answer because it was true.
If you want to make progress, improve the world or improve yourself, being satisfied will not get it done. All progress starts with a sense of discontent. With a desire to make change. To innovate and offer a better solution.
This apparent conflict posed a threat to what I believed to be the 3 most important things to live a happy life: Self-improvement, service and contentment
Each of these work against the other. The desire to serve and help other works directly against the selfishness of personal growth.
And neither service or self-improvement is possible if you are satisfied with yourself and the world.
Trying to achieve all 3 at once is a recipe for overwhelm, inner conflict and suffering.
The trick is to do them one at a time. To have periods of self-improvement, service and contentment.
This division can be done on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis.
For instance, the first half of the day you could focus on productivity. Then spend a few hours working on a project that will help others. Finally find some time to reflect on your day with a sense of gratitude before going to bed.
Or maybe, you do it on a weekly basis. One week sprint of high intensity work to grow your startup, increase revenue and conquer competition. Then spend couple days basking in the glory of your achievement.
Whatever you choose, a balance is essential. Focusing exclusively on one over the other will lead to overwhelm, exhaustion or complacency.
What do you want to focus on today?
