LEAN TOWARDS THE INTRINSIC
INTRINSIC significance is about placing a value on internally satisfying rewards. These could include personal development goals, possessions and experiences. You do these things or acquire these things for you (and it doesn’t really matter what others think). Acquiring or reaching them will build up your intrinsic significance. Reading this book and adopting its ideas into your life will enhance your intrinsic significance. I guarantee it.
Extrinsic significance, by contrast, is about putting a value on externals such as status and approval from others. For example, you might share on social media what you intend to do or what you have already done or bought. Being recognised favourably by our peers has a feel-good factor. Maybe you bought this book so you could help improve your personal best time in a race. Then you’ll be able to beat your running friends in races.
Both intrinsic and extrinsic significance have an important place in our lives. I always factor in a mix of both when I prepare my goals. I believe that the significance and enjoyment lasts longer if you are intrinsically biased.
Most people who know me will have forgotten that I achieved some or all of my significant goals. I’m cool with that because that extrinsic significance was not my main motivation for doing them. I’m still very much enjoying them intrinsically.
Take the example of someone running their first marathon. Their sole intrinsic reason for doing this is to fulfil an ambition to complete a marathon. Their extrinsic reasons may be numerous: to run faster than a friend, to come in under three hours, to win a bet and silence their doubters on social media.
Now, this may work and this person may indeed succeed, but making a point to elevate yourself above others doesn’t really have as much longevity as the internal significance you could foster from doing it. What if no one really cared that you succeeded? That would negate a large proportion of your significance.
Find out what it is that makes you feel significant and lean towards the intrinsic.