Most people are motivated by external factors like money, status, and material success. I know I was for most of my life. You might be too.

We spend most of our lives craving validation from the outside world. We want to be successful in their eyes.

But once you start to appear “successful” —either by purchasing that awesome new car, new house, or finally getting that promotion—you realize how superficial the whole concept is.

Sure, you get a little sugar high…But that fades quickly, and then you realize that happiness doesn’t come from “things” or “status.”

Happiness can only come from pursuing meaningful goals driven by internal motivation.

Tons of super successful people with all the things in the world are miserable for this very reason.

When you’re driven solely by external motivation…You forget about the present, lose patience, and are unable to enjoy the journey…

Sucks, right?

Your highest priority should be a craft you are internally motivated to learn, practice, and get better at.

When you follow your internal motivation — goals are a way to measure your progress, not validate your ego. When you follow your internal motivation and focus on your “one thing” — you’ll almost always win. This is because you’ll have the vision and patience for the long road of learning, failing, learning some more, and persisting.

Living your life chasing external motivations leads to internal conflicts…It kills your creativity, and suppresses your urge to do the things that you love the most.

Why?

Just to validate ourselves in the eyes of others?

It’s a bit silly if you think about it – but sadly – this is life for most…they spend their entire lives chasing external validation.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that success can’t be measured by “things” in the external world, but only by how you feel within…

Once you figure out the inner stuff, the outside always follows.

Fulfillment comes from purpose, and the freedom to immerse yourself in the things you love doing most.

If you’re not sure what that thing is, the question to determine it is:

If I wasn’t getting paid for this, would I still do it anyway?

Figure out what your ‘one thing’ is, and spend most of your time on it…

That’s the key to an unreal life.

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