Meaning is the New Currency !
I have met a lot of people and the most exciting one’s have all had one thing in common: there were spending energy on finding meaning for their lives. Recently I stumbled upon an article which said it out loud and clear:
The time where wealth was measured in the currency of money is over ! The new currency for measuring “wealth” is called MEANING.
This line struck a cord with me and put into one sentence what I have sensed after coaching around 100 clients in the past years.
“Money simply doesn’t hold as much currency as leading a meaningful life. As a part of a worldwide trend towards a search for more meaningful lives, people are looking for more fun, family and friendship and less money and “things”. Where money was once the currency of a successful life, wealth is increasingly being measured in connection with sustainability and happiness.” says Judy Chapman, the author of the article.
Research all over the world supports this and Judy quotes an Australian study which shows that health, community and friends contribute more to people’s happiness than money or their financial situation.
From my own quantitative research in Dubai I know that Dubai lags a little bit behind this global trend: the majority of people still believe that more money will create more happiness for them (I guess that’s what many people come to Dubai for in the first place). The number of people searching for meaning, however, is ever increasing, also in Dubai.
So where does this shift from a money-centric society to a one that emphasizes meaning and happiness come from ?
Seemingly people are yearning for slowing down and creating more time for themselves. People want quality instead of quantity and significance instead of mere success. And they want to spend their money on enriching experiences that will make a difference and that gives their life meaning.
According to Dr. Clive Hamilton, one of the authors of “Affluenza – When Too Much is Never Enough” there is a rising trend in “downshifters”: people who make a conscious decision to accept a lower income and a lower level of consumption to pursue other life goals, such as more balance, more personal fulfillment and time with their families.
When asked about the change “downshifting” had on their lives, “downshifters” talked about improved health, more time with family and friends, more personal freedom and joy of living and many new opportunities they previously did not think existed. These changes are very similar to those my clients report when following their own meaningful path based on what uniquely matters to them (their values).
Judy Chapman’s article ends with a beautiful paragraph:
“As the 21st century unfolds, the question facing countries around the world is not how they can become more economically prosperous. Rather, it is about how we can build vibrant societies in which meaning and connection are not casualties but cornerstones. Make yourself part of that process!”
I share the longing for community, meaning and connection and that’s what brought to life the Develop & Grow Community, our group of exceptional people dedicated to supporting each other in growing into their full potential and their most aspirational selfs. Money is not on top of our list of values. Connection to others, giving back and making a difference is. That’s what meaning is for me.
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