This question really gets you going

Personal development
What question you should really ask yourself

Our wishes and dreams are as individual as our fingerprints and yet they are often similar: happiness, health, love, a fulfilled life. Do what we love. To be with the people we care about. And although we seem to have an exact idea of ​​how a perfect life works, we always find ourselves at uncertain points. At points where we have to decide – whether we want to or not.

Author and blogger Mark Manson knows what can help then. His website is subtitled "Life Advice That Doesn't Suck", in English: "Advice for life that doesn't get on your nerves". Sounds promising – and is refreshingly different. There he also deals with the "most important question in life".

According to Manson, we shouldn't ask ourselves what we really want, but rather, "What pain do I want to endure?" Because what we rarely think about: No matter what we want in life – it is usually not given to us. Conversely, this means that we have to make an effort for what we want. And that often doesn't work without pain, no matter what kind they may be.

For example, we would all want "great sex and a wonderful relationship." But only very few think that this also includes the pain of separation, unpleasant phases of getting to know each other, disputes and being alone. Because we only get the finished results and successes presented on social media, we forget that even the best six pack cannot be achieved without a hard workout.

And because pain, grief, and hard work are deterrents, we become comfortable. So comfortable, until at some point we come to a point where we ask ourselves: "And that's it now? Life doesn't have more in store for us?" Yes it does, says Manson. But we have to do something about it and be ready to endure pain. It's not about who is fighting the toughest fight – it's about being satisfied with our personal development.

Media used: markmanson.net, mymonk.de