HOW YOUR MEANING IS SHAPING YOUR CAREER (AND HOW CHANGING IT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR FUTURE)

“The greatest value in life is not the happiness it provides, but the meaning it contains.” – Albert Schweitzer

Who defines what you are? Or, better yet: who is deciding where you’re going? Have you stopped to reflect on the true value of your life? I’m not talking about the fleeting happiness that sometimes envelops us in moments of pleasure or the immediate satisfaction we seek along the journey. I’m talking about the deep meaning that life can carry—something that goes beyond momentary pleasure and roots itself in our sense of purpose, the search for relevance, and transcendence.

It’s no coincidence that I ask myself this, and perhaps you do as well: Are we living what truly matters, or are we just chasing after what society imposes on us, or what others expect from us?

Albert Schweitzer said that the greatest value in life doesn’t lie in the happiness it brings but in the meaning it contains. What if this is, indeed, the core of our existence? Purpose is not just a goal to be achieved but the foundation upon which we build every action and decision. And transcendence, far from being a distant and unreachable pursuit, is the path to profoundly impacting the lives around us, creating a legacy that extends beyond ourselves.

What if, instead of constantly pursuing happiness, we started searching for the true meaning that can transform the way we live? What would be possible if you decided, right now, to redefine the value of your life?

At some point, we all face a choice: continue chasing this so-called happiness or search for the meaning that truly gives value to our existence. The fact is, this decision is in our hands. In this sense, I invite you to reflect on what we are truly seeking: immediate satisfaction or the fulfillment of a higher purpose? In a society marked by instantaneity, where happiness seems to be sold as a consumable good, perhaps it’s time to reflect on what it really means to live. In this article, I invite you to reflect on how deep meaning can guide your choices and your career, and how this shift in perspective can transform not only your future but also the way you see yourself and position yourself in the world.

A Path in Search of a Greater Purpose

Happiness is transient, while meaning is enduring and drives many of our choices. In other words, in contemporary times, in a liquid society—or rather, a society of spectacle—we are conditioned to believe that happiness resides in professional success, social status, or the fulfillment of momentary desires. However, when we look deeper, we realize that it is often merely a superficial reflection of what true satisfaction could be. It is not a continuous state, but something fleeting that, at times, deceives us. So what is more important? What truly makes us human?

More than the incessant search for happy moments, it is purpose that gives meaning to our existence. A meaningful job, a life aligned with our deepest desires, the creation of something that transcends the immediate—these are the elements that provide us with a sense of genuine accomplishment. It doesn’t matter if the role played is highly visible or unnoticed by others; it is the value we assign to it that defines its importance.

What Neurosciences and Psychology Have Taught Us

Neuroscience and behavioral psychology have shown that human beings are driven by something deeper than momentary pleasure. According to positive psychology, for example, the sense of lasting well-being is closely linked to the pursuit of meaning, not immediate pleasure. Martin Seligman, one of the leading scholars in this field, argues that self-awareness and engagement with something larger than ourselves are the factors that generate true satisfaction. And neuroscience supports this finding by stating that our brain feels rewarded not when we seek isolated happiness but when we engage in activities that have meaning and purpose for us.

Studies also show that the brain releases, for example, the well-known dopamine not only in moments of instant pleasure but also when we experience achievements linked to the development of skills or the overcoming of challenges with purpose. Meaning is what sustains the drive, keeping it going in difficult moments and preventing it from disappearing as soon as pleasure fades.

Meaning in Everyday Life

But then, have you stopped to reflect on the impact of a simple phrase by Albert Schweitzer in your life? How do we apply the concept of meaning in everyday life, in the decisions we make, and the actions we take? What are we truly seeking: momentary happiness, which quickly dissipates, or the creation of something lasting, which transcends the whim of time?

To answer these questions, it might be necessary to be aware that few of us have the lucidity to understand that the “map” of our journey is not the “reality” of the experience we are living, but rather our perception of it. The “territory” is you. We are the result of our experiences, the sole owners of our own lives. The map we draw, no matter how detailed, will never fully represent the territory we truly inhabit.

When I wrote my book “The map is not the territory, but the territory is you,” I aimed precisely to bring the reflection that our story is more than a metaphor—it’s an invitation to understand that the way we see the world (the “map”) will never be the entirety of reality (the “territory”). The “territory” is our lived experience, our essence, our perception of being and the world, present in all of our choices, whatever they may be. This thought challenges us to look inside ourselves, to understand that the true reality lies in our own experience and how we relate to the world around us. The territory, therefore, is something personal, subjective, and at the same time, universal, for we all have a unique perception, but we are all embedded in the same context of existence.

Thus, despite our efforts to draw plans, maps, and directions, the true understanding of the world and ourselves lies in the systemic and deep understanding of our experiences, choices, and perception. The true territory, what really matters, is ourselves and the way we experience life.

Our vision, our interpretation of reality, our choices, and actions are the lenses through which we navigate this territory. To understand our journey, we must look within ourselves, at the being we are and are becoming.

We live in the incessant search for happiness, but perhaps the real question is: are we really prepared to face the depth of this search? Happiness cannot be measured while we are in motion; it only reveals itself when we look back, when the path reaches its end and we can assess the legacy we’ve left.

In many moments of life, the weight of the journey makes us question whether we are walking in the right direction. But the real question was never happiness as a goal to be reached; it’s how willing we are to learn from the experiences, from the hardships that shape us. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry reminds us: “No one passes through our life without leaving something and without taking something.” In every encounter, every relationship, we leave a piece of ourselves and also take a piece of the other.

Some leave little and take much, while others, paradoxically, take much but leave little. The true value lies in those who knew how to leave much and take much, for genuine happiness is not found in what is received, but in what is shared. It is in living fully each experience, in being truly present, to then leave a meaningful mark on the world and the people around us. Moreover, we can go further and say that it is found in the understanding that life’s greatest lessons do not arise in tranquility, but in adversity, in the pain and suffering we go through—landmarks of our evolution.

Don’t be deceived or deluded! Meaning is built through the small and large choices we make every day. It is in the way we face the inevitable difficulties, accepting them as part of the journey, not as obstacles to be feared. Meaning is not only found in successes, but in the way we deal with failures, losses, and adversities. Because, contrary to what society leads us to believe, fulfillment is not in achievement, but in accepting the challenges of the present and committing to what truly matters.

It is also revealed in our relationships. The simple act of looking at the other with attention, empathy, and a willingness to accept them as they truly are — in the fullest sense of their essence, not just with words, but with actions — brings depth to our being. It is through genuine exchange, a commitment to collective well-being, that the meaning of life expands and strengthens. The constant pursuit of learning and evolution, making our journey a true school of life, becomes the foundation for building something of value, both for ourselves and for the world.

The fact is that meaning is forged in the integrity with which we face adversity. Difficulties are inevitable, but by overcoming them with dignity and courage, we become more than survivors — we become authors of our own existence, capable of creating meaning even in the most challenging situations. For it is precisely in difficulties that the human soul reveals itself most fully, rediscovering its capacity for resilience and renewal.

Adversities

“We don’t seek happiness, we seek meaning. After all, only meaning can sustain our journey.” – Marcello de Souza

And if meaning were only found in the great moments of transformation, it would be a distant and unreachable goal. But true purpose, as we see, is also in the small adversities we face every day, in the daily challenges that teach us to persist.

Often, we think of adversities as major crises — those moments when life knocks us down and demands our greatest strength. But meaning is not only in the great trials; it is also present in the small daily battles we face, often silently. These smaller but continuous challenges are the ones that ultimately shape us and prepare us for the hardest moments.

Let’s think about the mornings when we decide to get out of bed even though we don’t want to, the difficult conversations we avoid but know we need to have, or the simple act of persevering in a task even without immediate recognition. Each of these small adversities, which often seem harmless at first glance, is an opportunity to forge a deeper meaning in our lives. They teach us resilience and show us that true purpose is not revealed in great victories, but in the daily process of overcoming.

When we face these everyday difficulties, we learn to deal with frustration, insecurity, and even doubt. It is these small moments, repeated over time, that prepare us for life’s greatest challenges. And, paradoxically, they show us that meaning is not only in achieving what we strive for, but in our ability to persist, even when the road seems arduous.

The representativeness of life is not something we find in a single great experience or in a major event. It is built in daily actions, in the choices we make based on our deepest values, even when no one is watching. These small adversities, these silent battles, teach us that every moment has the power to transform us, and by overcoming them, we become more conscious of our purpose. True value, therefore, lies in continuity, in resistance, and in the learning we accumulate while facing daily adversities.

Meaning is the Compass for Our Destiny

When meaning becomes the center of our life, happiness becomes a natural consequence, no longer a relentless and empty pursuit. Happiness is no longer the final goal, but rather a byproduct of building a life that has its own inherent purpose. This is the great challenge of our era: moving away from the pursuit of immediate pleasure and directing our energies toward a greater purpose. In this process, the true richness of life begins to unfold.

But how do we find this purpose? Perhaps there is never a single answer, nor many possible ones, if we are not able to ask the right questions. Each one of us carries within us a unique mission, a meaning that is constantly being built, nourished by our experiences, choices, and learnings. And if we don’t recognize this, we will never know which questions we should ask ourselves!

The key, therefore, may really not lie in seeking happiness as an end, but in directing our actions toward what truly resonates with our deepest being. What is truly important to us? What values and principles do we want to guide our journey? Meaning then transforms from something abstract into a compass that guides our choices and gives direction to our destiny.

Meaning is not something to be found in a single moment, but something that reveals itself over time. Every step taken toward it is a step toward a fuller, more authentic life. As we seek, we align with our greater purpose, and distractions and momentary desires lose their power. We begin to realize that true satisfaction does not come from what we accumulate or achieve, but from the positive impact we generate, both in our lives and in the lives of others.

It is forged in daily choices, in decisions we make based on what truly matters. It emerges from intentional action, a commitment to what is essential, and constant learning. It is not about reaching a fixed destination, but about being in tune with the journey. Every challenge faced, every mistake made, and every victory achieved has its value because they all contribute to the creation of a more conscious, more integral self.

Finally,

“Happiness is not a goal, but a consequence; purpose, however, is what guides our path and gives us the true reason for existence.”

The journey of life never unfolds in a linear or predictable way. With every step, we are invited to embrace uncertainty, deconstruct certainties, and learn to live with the questions that challenge us. There is no ready-made formula, no universal recipe for finding “meaning.” What truly matters are not the definitive answers, but the courage to ask the questions that lead us to places we never imagined we would go.

We are, all of us, in a constant process of transformation, navigating unknown seas, where destiny is often an abstraction and not a straight line. The truth, as the philosopher taught us, is that life is not something that simply happens to us, but something we build through each choice, each conflict, each renunciation, and each achievement.

So, what are we really looking for? Perhaps the secret lies not in finding a single meaning, but in allowing multiple meanings to reveal themselves as we move forward. We have no control over the future, but we are the authors of our own story. And perhaps this is life’s greatest gift — the freedom to create our own meaning, even without knowing what the next chapter of our journey will be.

Ultimately, life becomes, indeed, a great paradox: it is simultaneously mysterious and revealing, agonizing and liberating, finite and infinite. All we can do is throw ourselves wholeheartedly into this enigma, trusting that, in the end, the answer is not in the arrival, but in the journey.

When you look at your life, do you see a map or a territory? Are you ready to embrace the questions that will transform your journey?

#marcellodesouza #marcellodesouzaoficial #coachingevoce #humandevelopment #behavioraldevelopment #socialpsychology #neurosciences #behavioralpsychology #philosophy #meaningoflife