The Pursuit of the Invaluable: Why You Should Stop Chasing Value

Five priceless pursuits that truly matter in life

We’re driven by the value that can be placed on things. Value, after all, enables you to have a measurable metric. If something is valuable it suggests that there’s something of less value comparable to it.

This type of thinking is zero-sum thinking. Sure, a Lamborghini might be more valuable than a Toyota Corolla. But that’s only measuring it in dollars. The person that has been taking the bus to and from work everyday would still see the Corolla as valuable (and probably life changing to own).

Too many people crave value.

The problem is that all this type of value is based on random choices of other people all putting the same amount of value into one thing. You don’t want to chase this. It’s the fastest way to get distracted from the invaluable parts of life.

Invaluable things cannot be bought. They are not given. Anything that’s invaluable cannot be compared. The invaluable must be earned.

Most people lose the priceless things in life because they put value on things that can be measured easily. The invaluable parts of life take intention and effort to get. It’s hard to build. And even harder to maintain over long periods of time.

The five pillars of a fulfilling life

There’s very little that is really worth the sacrifice to strive for. Most things will cause you to forever move the goal post – unsatisfied and burnt out with your work.

The 5 things worth going after are:

• Happiness

• A strong reputation

• Freedom and independence

• Respect for people you admire

• Deep connection with family and friends

These all require a significant investment into your pain portfolio to earn them. None of them are easily replicated by others. The only comparison that can be made is between your current and past self. They’re easily lost. Once you lose one of them it’s almost impossible to get back.

Earning all 5 signals to others that you’re serious about leveling up in life.