Have you ever paused to consider what truly drives our society?

Let's face it, our society is driven by our primal instincts:

Pleasure, security, and belonging.

And guess what?

Money has become our go-to tool to satisfy these needs.

But is it really the answer?

At the root of human actions are emotional drivers.

Feeling is the precursor to action.

For instance, we might reach for a snack because it triggers a pleasurable response in our brain.

Similarly, a road rage incident can be attributed to ‘feelings’ of frustration and anger.

Our capitalistic system is no different!

Think about it.

We chase money, not for the money itself, but for what we think it can buy us: 

Happiness, security, and a sense of belonging, the things we need to ‘feel’ good.

These feelings are fleeting emotions that can't be permanently satisfied.

And so the vicious cycle continues, forever fluctuating in and out of a perpetual state of longing.

While wealth can provide certain comforts, it has limits.

To truly find lasting satisfaction, we must delve deeper and identify what's at the root of our revenue driven behavior.

For example, if you were to envision yourself achieving your desired level of wealth, what emotions would you anticipate feeling?

Would it be a sense of security, power or connection?

Once we understand what's at the root of these desires, we can work to fulfill them directly.

We can ask ourselves: What is causing my feelings of insecurity?

How can I cultivate a stronger sense of belonging?

What is driving my need for control?

This gives us the chance to create a new paradigm of success, one that values more than just material wealth.

Let's take a cue from Indigenous cultures like those of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

They understood that true wealth isn't measured in dollars and cents, but in generosity and community.

They hosted lavish Potlatches.

By giving away vast amounts of wealth such as food, blankets and copper, a chief could demonstrate their generosity, and social standing.

The more Potlatches held, the greater the chief's reputation.

While the Forbes 500 list is widely recognized, the Forbes top givers list deserves equal attention.

Individuals like Chuck Feeney, the pioneer of "Giving While Living," and Warren Buffett, who has pledged to give away the majority of his fortune, are inspiring examples of philanthropy.

Feeney gave away over $8 billion during his lifetime, and Buffett has already donated over $42.8 billion.

By understanding the underlying psychological drivers of our behaviors, we can break free from the endless cycle of the fear-based grind and perhaps strive for a more fulfilling existence.

It would be as simple as redefining success from the optimization of assets to the optimization of outcomes and place ourselves on a co-evolutionary pathway from Homo Economicus species to Homo Transedians. 😉

Paul

I've recorded a meditation that can help you to see your drivers.  

Check it out and let me know what you think.

>>>Listen Here