Is True Independence Really Just Freedom to Work on Your Passions?
Unveiling the Essence of Self-Rule: Does Real Autonomy Mean More Than Just Escaping the Nine-to-Five?
In “The Psychology of Money,” Morgan Housel offered a huge nugget: “Independence, to me, doesn’t mean you’ll stop working.”
This got me thinking. How do we interpret independence, then?
Pause and consider Thomas Edison, his words were similar to what Morgan Said,
“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun,”
For Edison, true independence wasn’t about turning his back on work; instead, it was about merging his work with his love for invention.
Or take Elon Musk — A Billionaire, yet he’s known for his intense work ethic. Musk doesn’t view independence as a chance to dodge work; he sees it as the freedom to pour his heart into endeavors that aim to elevate humanity.
The crux here is that independence isn’t an exit sign from work. It’s the chance to seek and embrace work that fuels our passion and sense of meaning.
We’re subtly trained to expect hard work Monday through Friday and then a slow-down for the weekend. This division fools us into viewing work as a rival to living fully.
Instead, work can be a source of happiness, especially when it mirrors:
1. What matters to us.
2. What we excel at.
3. The values we aspire to spread in the world.
So, to me, Independence is a gleaming chance. It’s about selecting work that I am passionate about, embracing the journey, and crafting a life that fits my innermost goals.
