To be content is not the same as to be satisfied. To be satisfied would be lacking ambition – never wanting more. To be content is to appreciate what you have and strive for more, but understanding it is a process to get there (you have to EARN it).
2 Examples:
• A person in their mid-20′s lives at home with their parents and has a minimum wage job. They would rather have their own place, but aren’t willing to work more for it. They are satisfied with their life.
• After college, a person in the mid-20′s moves back home with their parents and has a job making only $38k/year. They appreciate living rent-free, but strive to get raises and save their money in order to have their own place. After 2 years, they move out of their parents and buy their own house. They were (and ARE) content but not satisfied.
Many successful people are never content. Some people may think that this is important to achieving their success, but you must recognize the difference between being content and being satisfied. To be CONTENT but NOT SATISFIED is the key to happiness and success. If you are never satisfied, you will strive to achieve more and be successful. But if you are never content, you will never attain happiness.
If you can’t be content with what you have already, then getting more will never make you happy.
Steps to be content with what you have:
- Be thankful for the basics like food, shelter, family & friends. These are what is important.
- Look at what you do have and realize that many lack these basic needs.
- Volunteer or hang out with those less fortunate, and recognize how “keeping up with the Jones’” is affecting your life.
Steps to not be satisfied with what you have:
- Recognize that it is okay to want more – more money, a bigger house, etc.
- Develop an ultimate goal for yourself that will make you happy (i.e. financial freedom).
- Establish smaller, bite-size goals to put you on the path to the ultimate goal.
Effectively using these steps to bet content but not satisfied will lead to a fulfilling, enjoyable life.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hah
Hey there,
I found you through Budgets are Sexy, and this is a great post. My boyfriend has a saying, “Always happy, never satisfied.” and I think it’s very similar to what your saying. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great saying – I may have to start using it!
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