February 6, 2014
What is the meaning behind the fulfillment curve illustrated in the book, Your Money or Your Life?
What is the meaning behind the fulfillment curve illustrated in the book, Your Money or Your Life?
It means that once you get to a curtain monetary level, once you no longer have to work at a job “job”, you are able to be free. The amount of stuff you get will only be able to make you happy to a curtain point. When you reach that point you have to much stuff and you get stressed by trying to “keep up with the Jones” instead of buying more stuff you will be happier if you donate your money to something you care about that can make other people happy. Because making other people happy is what brings someone true happiness.
The Fulfillment Curve shows the relationship between the experience of fulfillment (vertical axis) and the amount of money we spend (horizontal access). As the money spent increases it covers survival needs, comforts, luxuries, and then.. that is where it becomes negative and self consuming. You spend and grab for more and more luxuries. Find the level of luxury that you are the happiest with and stay there. There are dangers both for your wallet and personal joy if you continue to spoil yourself with unnecessary goods.
Great answers, gentlemen. I have little to add, but I will share a few words.
By understanding the idea behind the fulfillment curve, a person can find meaning to their life far beyond “stuff.” This can be difficult in societies where “stuff” is used to identify success, wealth and happiness, but that should not deter you.
It is critical to understand the idea of ENOUGH as you live your life. Transitioning yourself to the giving phase can be a transformative event, but it takes an awakening of sorts before that can happen. Awake!