Effective at Finding Meaning

I’ve been focusing on growing my online presence, and this week, one of my posts is going viral. It’s incredible to see how certain content resonates with so many people. (If we’re not already connected on LinkedIn, don’t hesitate to add me!) I’m also fortunate to be spending more time teaching and coaching high performers. One recurring theme I hear from them is: they’ve achieved major milestones (promotions, raises, leadership roles) yet they find themselves asking, "Is this it? What’s next?"

I’ve been there too. After the initial excitement fades, a sense of emptiness can follow. This led me to dive deeper into the idea of meaning, particularly how helping others brings fulfillment beyond personal success. I hope you find this reading as meaningful as I found writing it.

THE THEORY

True meaning comes not from personal achievements but from helping others and being part of something bigger than ourselves. Most of us are familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where self-actualization (becoming the best version of oneself) is the top goal. But that wasn’t the end of Maslow’s work. Before his death, he explored an even higher level: self-transcendence. This concept didn’t get published widely, leaving it as "the forgotten pinnacle of human development." Self-actualization focuses on individual fulfillment; however, self-transcendence is about connecting with others, contributing to society, and going beyond the self.

Maslow's final insight: True meaning comes from "transcending" personal ambition. It’s about shifting from "How can I maximize my potential?" to "How can I serve something larger than myself?" Viktor Frankl's "Man’s Search for Meaning," emphasizes that those who found meaning (especially by serving others) were more resilient, even in the harshest circumstances. Frankl, like Maslow, proposed that meaning doesn’t come from personal success, but from contributing to something beyond the self.

Others echo this: The book "Flourish" highlights that meaning is key to well-being and that it comes from being part of something greater (a cause, a family, or a community). Clayton Christensen’s "How Will You Measure Your Life?" also makes the case that real success isn’t about material gains or promotions, but the positive impact we have on others.

But meaning actually is not the same as happiness. According to multiple psychological and philosophical frameworks, happiness is temporary, but meaning involves a deeper sense of purpose and significance that comes from contributing beyond ourselves, and is what sustains us through life’s ups and downs. It’s the difference between short-term pleasure and long-term fulfillment.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS

Personally, I write this newsletter for two reasons (I have shared my "why" before): to help others, but also for my personal growth. Writing helps me process my thoughts, refine ideas, and improve my writing skills. It feels good to accomplish something. But I also write to serve others. If I kept all this learning to myself, I’d miss out on the deeper fulfillment that comes from sharing it with others. At the same time, I’ve realized that focusing only on helping others can feel hollow at times, if there’s no personal sense of personal accomplishment that goes with it. Ultimately, it’s a balance!

I recently heard in a TED Talk that "being a part of a story that is not yours provides meaning to your life." While we're often told to be the "main character" in our own stories, it is also really important to play supporting roles in others’ lives. By helping others grow while still gaining personal satisfaction, I’ve found a richer sense of fulfillment. It’s not about choosing between self-actualization and self-transcendence; in my opinion, it’s about balancing both. [Side note: This is why it makes my day when readers share how this newsletter has helped them achieve something. Please keep them coming.]

HOW TO PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE

1. Help others without expecting anything in return: Reach out to mentor someone, volunteer, or simply offer a colleague some support.

2. Share your personal growth: Turn your learning into value for others. Whether it’s industry insights or personal finance tips, summarize and share your notes in a way that helps others.

3. Find what blends meaning with achievement: For example, if you want to improve your presentation skills, try teaching part-time to serve others while honing your craft.

4. Connect with a community: Meaning often comes from being part of something larger. Find or create communities where you can contribute and grow together.

5. Bonus - Share the content you consume: Even if it’s not related to personal development. Whether it’s NBA highlights or fashion trends, package what you’ve learned and share it with others through a blog or social media. I promise that with time, this will lead you close to balancing meaning and happiness.

Meaningfully,

Jorge Luis Pando