Michael R. Ayalon discusses finding your "because" and how purpose shapes both happiness and income. He shares a personal suicide attempt at 25, argues money alone isn't enough, and describes how activism like ocean cleanup connects to what he calls a "freedom lifestyle."
You know, it really comes down to what I call finding your because. That's one of the power habits that I teach, the power habits of unconsciously successful people. And in fact, that's the culmination. That's like the pinnacle of success, which is finding your purpose that's larger than you. You know, as an example, you know, there's a lot of activism on campuses, college campuses all across the country and around the world, which is awesome. And, you know, so many, you know, college students are very active But when you don't know why you're here, when you don't have that purpose, it can feel very empty. Again, I know from personal experience because I decided to take my own life because I didn't have a purpose or didn't know my purpose back when I was 25 years old. And so I know what that's like to go, why am I even here? You know? So finding your purpose is a crucial thing. And it can't just be about, well, I want to make a lot of money. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with making lots of money. It's a great thing. But is that really all? Is that it? And for most people, that's not enough. So, you know, when you're looking at what to get involved with, find something that makes you excited. So for example, you know, with a name like Noah, I'm very passionate about saving our oceans, right? I mean, I would be, wouldn't I? And so, you know, there's a thing going on right now about cleaning up our oceans. And I mean, not one thing. There's, you know, hundreds of or thousands maybe of communities or, you know, organizations saying, let's clean up the oceans. Let's get the plastic out because the plastic is, I mean, that's a whole huge enormous conversation. But the point is that is the type of thing that gets me excited now. You know, now because I'm able to give back, I'm able to help people, I'm able to empower people, as I said. And so, you know, getting involved in that is something much larger than me. I mean, it's the oceans. You know, it's much, it's huger than me by a factor of a million, a billion, a kajillion. And so that's the point is when you find something like that that just gets you excited and inspired, that really just frankly apathy goes out the window because you're like, wait a minute, I'm on fire right now and I want to do this. I want to make a difference. I want to make an impact, even if it's in a very small way, which for all of us, it might seem very small. But if we are able to get together as a community, I mean I'm talking about as humans, you know, we can make a big difference. And so find your purpose, find your why-to, find your because. That again, and I'm not saying that money's a bad thing. Money's great. It's awesome. But it's not really enough for most people to say, this is why I'm here. I'm here to make a billion dollars. Well, okay. But I mean really, it's I'm here to make a difference. I'm here to help people. I'm here to clean up the oceans. You know, whatever it might be for you. Find that button. And I always say, you know, whatever button you find, just keep pushing that button. Whatever it is, just keep pushing that button. And you'll find that not only do you, ironically, you actually make more money because you're on fire with your purpose, but you also become happier. And, you know, that's what I call moving up the income happiness scale to have really, which is what I call the freedom lifestyle. And that is really what I think we all want.
