In the last few pages of Jordan Peterson’s excellent book, “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos“, the clinical psychologist shares the questions that led him to write the book. In considering how to live his life, he started with this one: “What is the greatest good I can do in the least amount of time?” Then he extrapolated to ask, “What is the greatest good I can do TODay?” then “What is the greatest good I can do this year?” and finally “What is the greatest good I can do in my life?” An hour isn’t much time. But if we thought, “What is the greatest good we can do in an hour?” First, I think the greatest good is usually something we do for another, not for ourselves. But that’s not often the case: sometimes, the greatest good we can do for the world is to educate ourselves, or calm ourselves down, or arm ourselves to protect another. But the key to self-action in the name of “greatest good” is usually to consider the impact of our actions in this hour on everyone around us. Second, I think the “greatest good” we can do for others is to create opportunity: to give them the strength, the education, the inspiration and motivation to do great things for more people. It’s a trickle-down effect: we live a healthy life, and that allows us to carry others. We live a wealthy life, and that allows us to support others when they’re financially weak. We live a happy life, and that allows us to buoy those who need it when they’re unhappy. But that goodness is magnified when we help other people live a healthy life, a wealthy life or a happy life. This is the service necessary for self-actualization: the act, by us, that makes other people healthy, wealthy or happy. Maybe even two ...
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