“Tell someone that everything will be great and they’re likely to either shrug you off or offer a skeptical eye. Tell someone they’re in danger and you have their undivided attention.” – Morgan Housel
It today’s world, fear sells, especially when it comes to your happiness. In fact, there’s now a term for it, FOMO (fear of missing out). From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed, your inundated with ads and promotions that are all fighting over your attention. When you stop and think about it, it really is incredible how successful companies are at getting our attention.
In 2007, the average amount of ads a person saw in a day was roughly 5,000. Today, that daily average has doubled. Now, more than ever, it’s vital that you protect yourself from the constant narrative that you’re missing out on something.
This Thanksgiving, I’m going to challenge myself and those reading, to make an active effort to be more content.
Sure, it’s easier said than done. But what do you have to lose?
Contentment
Oxford Languages, defines contentment as a “state of satisfaction.” But why is satisfaction so hard to achieve? Well, part of the reason is a result of our consumerist culture. Our economic system is designed for us to buy stuff.
It’s how businesses make money. Businesses have an economic incentive to get you to buy things, regardless of whether or not you need it. That’s why if you don’t, you’re made to feel like you’re missing out on something.
Things to think about
Being content isn’t something that you battle once and you ‘declare victory’ over. It’s an ongoing process that takes diligence and practice. So how can you start becoming more content?
Practice gratitude
Eliminate things that trigger your FOMO
Set personal goals
Recognize that everyone is not in the same place as you
Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude, even once a day, has been associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety and higher levels of self-esteem and daily satisfaction (aka contentment).
Eliminate things that trigger your FOMO
Does it feel like everyone is in a better place than you on social media? Delete social media. Worried that your house isn’t big enough or your car isn’t flashy enough? Delete Zillow or take an alternative route home from work so you’re not passing the Audi dealership.
Are these drastic changes? Maybe… but if it improves your self-esteem and overall daily life, isn't it worth it?
Set personal goals
When you listen to pretty much any coach at the collegiate or professional level, they talk about focusing on what players can control and eliminating outside noise. As a former college athlete myself, I was repeatedly told to “control the controllables.” Point being, if you set your own goals and revisit them regularly it becomes easier to eliminate outside distractions. In a way it, it gives you tunnel vision for the things you determine are actually important in your life. Don’t discount the power of setting intentional goals.
Recognize that everyone is not in the same place as you
I believe social media was an overall positive for society, but it didn’t come without side effects. One of the most prominent side effects is the ability to constantly measure yourselves against others. In most circumstances, I believe this does more harm than good. Instead, focus on you. Focus on what you can control and what you can accomplish.
Wrap-up
At the end of the day, being content isn’t easy. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time and effort. In my opinion its best to start with only one (maybe two) of the above suggestions to start. If you start with too many at once, you’re going to get discouraged, lose interest, etc. and most likely revert back to old habits.
Candidly, I don’t know of a great way to measure happiness or contentment but what I can tell you is by implementing some of the strategies above, I notice a difference. At the end of the day, there’s no cost to you other than maybe a little bit of time.
Additional Resources:
Contrary to what the media tells you, there are positive things happening in the world. This article, although a few years old, does a great job highlighting the positive things happening every day.
50 Ways the World is Getting Better - Ben Carlson - A Wealth of Common Sense
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About The Author
Caleb Pepperday, CFP®, ChFC® provides Fee-Only Financial Planning and Investment Management Services for medical professionals. Advanced Practice Planning, LLC is based in Missoula, MT, but works with clients in a virtual capacity nationwide.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and fiduciary, Caleb Pepperday works to create financial plans for medical professionals with their best interest in mind. As a Fee-Only financial planner, Caleb Pepperday is only compensated through the investment management or financial planning fees that you pay him directly and never earns a commission.
Caleb Pepperday primarily focuses on helping mid-career and pre-retiree Physician Assistants/Physician Associates retire with confidence.
Disclosures:
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or tax advice. No content within should be construed as such. The material presented is based on general financial principles and concepts, and individual financial and tax situations may vary. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or legal expert for personalized advice regarding their specific financial, tax, or legal circumstances. Any actions taken based on the information in this article are at the reader’s own discretion and risk. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, applicability, or completeness of the information provided. This article does not endorse or promote any specific financial products, services, or companies. Readers are responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before making any financial, legal, or tax-related decisions.
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