Grandiosity no longer appeals to me
There’s nothing wrong with a simple life.
It’s perfectly okay to choose a path that involves you simply doing what you love and working on things that resonate deeply with you — even if it’s not a grand thing that other people marvel at when they hear about it.
By default, the majority gravitate towards people working on big ideas, whose personalities are larger than life and whose work makes the news and who are always active in public doing things and establishing their personal brands*.
This means that typically, in gatherings when people ask the question, “So, what do you do?”, they half-expect it to be something they’ll find impressive.
But simplicity rarely impresses people. So, therein lies our default; wanting to be this person who does impressive things and works at an impressive company in an impressive role so that when you do answer that question, you can see their eyes light up and their interest piqued. It’s like a tiny badge of social affirmation and if I’m being honest, one I had always desired.
Work done with love is dignified.
Your work can be meaningful without it being “grand”. You can be a competent and excellent professional without your work being the centre of your universe. That you enjoy it and it aligns with your personal goals, is enough. It doesn’t need to be anything more than that.
I believe that bearing this in mind quenches the desire to be regarded as impressive. If everything gains the value of the love with which it is done, then grandiosity becomes completely irrelevant.
*This is my personal perspective and may not reflect the realities of other people.
