Why we do the things we do

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There are any number of reasons why we do the things we do. Some are better than others, yet most may bot be the best reason to do anything at all; and that in itself should be food for thought…

So here are seven reasons that come to mind:

1. It’s our job.
2. It is expected of us.
3. It is what we need to do to gain approval from others.
4. It is what we are told/taught to do.
5. It is what we want to do.
6. It is what makes us happy.
7. It is what we are passionate about.

And while each and every one of those reasons may come up on their own, they can also dovetail into one another and as such become stronger reasons to do the things we do…

On the surface there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the first reason; ‘It’s our job’. Having a job is a good thing, especially if you like your job. It is a way to provide for yourself and your family; a way to ‘pay the bills’. Yet what if it is not a paying job, but more a ‘self-appointed’ job? A chore that no-one is willing to help out with because it is  our job? Then suddenly this reason connects with reasons 2, 3 and 4; and the question arises: “Is this really true? Is it truly my job?”

The second reason is even less clear cut. Is what we do expected from us by ourselves or by others? Or are we just thinking others are expecting it from us? In all likelihood, even if those others are not expecting it from us, they won’t protest if we do the things that someone would need to do anyway…

Numbers 3 and 4 are often intertwined. As long as we are doing what we are told or taught to do, we will gain the approval of others ~ be it parents, teachers, or bosses… And while it may be a good thing to do the things we do in the way we were taught how to do them, that probably shouldn’t be why we do them. Approval ratings usually are highly overrated where it is about the everyday things in our lives…

The last three reasons turn out to be more sustainable reasons.
When we do the things we want to do in life we very often find ourselves in a state of contentment, of happiness; even a peaceful state of mind. (Unless of course we want to do those things because we think it is expected of us to do those things.) When we are doing the things we truly and honestly want to do, chances are they will make us happy!

Ultimately, the very best reason to do the things we do is when we are passionate about them. When they inspire us.
When we find those things we are passionate about and put in the time and effort to actually start doing them; chances are we got it made!!
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