How to Build a Life You’re Proud Of Without Settling
Being satisfied with your life, your achievements, and what you create is a powerful source of motivation. It gives you energy and lifts your spirits. This kind of satisfaction is essential. When you feel inspired, full of ideas and projects, it marks the start of a new adventure. It’s the beginning of something big, something you want to build. Having projects, a vision, and even picturing your days ahead, thinking, “Great, today I’m going to build and create so many things”—that’s the best brick you can lay in the foundation of your life.
Projects and adventures fuel your curiosity and energize your mind. Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning, not staying in bed, but getting up to create something. That excitement, that challenge, is an investment in yourself. It fills your memory bank with moments you’ll be proud of, and you grow from it. Progress is important, but it should never come at the cost of your well-being. Sleep, good food, and keeping stress at bay are non-negotiable. If your projects start to harm your health, if you’re not sleeping or eating well, or living on instant noodles and soda, that’s a red flag. Your projects should be in harmony with your well-being. They should amplify your happiness, not destroy it.
It’s easy to swing from one extreme to the other, so you need to stay alert. But once you find things that make you feel good, that lift you up and are good for your happiness, everything changes. That’s what I wish for you.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
— Dalai Lama
Everyone deserves to have a life project they love—a vision, a goal, something that fills them up and truly matches who they are. Too many people spend their whole lives working for an employer they barely like, doing things they don’t enjoy, only to wake up at seventy and wonder, “What was it all for?” The truth is, you can do so much more, so much faster, by investing in yourself.
And let’s be clear: it’s never too late. Even if you’re seventy, you can start now. In fact, you might have more time than ever. Having a job, even a prestigious one, is not an excuse to skip your own side project. I work as a software engineer for a company, but that doesn’t stop me from working on open-source projects, writing books, or sharing my passions on platforms like SOstack. There are so many ways to share what you love.
The best time to act is now. Time doesn’t wait. The best chance to start something big is today. Invest in your life and your time. Do something you’ll be proud of in a year, or even a few months. That’s what matters most. I often ask myself, “What should I do in the next two hours so that I’ll be proud of myself afterward?” If I can look back and say, “Wow, I’m really happy with what I did in those two hours,” then I know I’m on the right track.
This kind of self-questioning is powerful. Sometimes, you brainstorm, and suddenly, an idea hits you. I always carry notebooks with me—lots of them. I love animals, so some of my notebooks have cats on them. I draw, I write, and it relaxes me. I even have bigger notebooks for bigger ideas. Reflecting on what you say and do, noticing if you repeat yourself or gesture too much, helps you improve. Taking a pause and thinking about what just happened can help you decide to do things differently next time.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
— Socrates
I also have a little ritual I call the “shower principle.” Before I step into the shower, I pick a problem to think about. As the hot water runs, I let my mind wander over the issue. Often, by the time I step out, I’ve had a breakthrough. This works for any kind of problem—whether it’s a side project or something at work, like a tricky relationship with a colleague. Sometimes, the real issue is just a matter of perception. Maybe you just need to see things differently, or realize that your colleague isn’t really the problem.
Taking a step back is crucial. Don’t let outside things invade your peace, not even on weekends or days off. Instead, breathe, take back control, and change your strategy if you need to. Sometimes, just having a life project or a vision brings you peace and fulfillment. Everything else in your life starts to go better because you have a new mission, something you love. It can even boost your reputation and status—a wonderful gift to give yourself.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
— Peter Drucker
Key Takeaways
- Satisfaction comes from building and creating things that matter to you.
- Balance your projects with your well-being—never sacrifice your health for progress.
- It’s never too late to start a project that excites you.
- Ask yourself regularly: What can I do today to make myself proud tomorrow?
- Keep a notebook handy for ideas and reflection.
- Use moments like showers or walks to think through problems and find solutions.
- Don’t let outside negativity invade your peace—take back control and focus on your vision.
Reflection
- What project would make you excited to get out of bed tomorrow?
- Are you balancing your ambitions with your well-being?
- What small step can you take today to build a life you’ll be proud of in a year?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Life Satisfaction #Living Fully #Money #Motivation #Personal-Growth #Self-Improvement #Tech #Wealth