Have you ever stopped to think about what truly underlies many of the world’s biggest challenges? From minor daily annoyances to large-scale global issues, I’ve come to believe that much of it boils down to one fundamental human trait: selfishness. And before you protest, let me be clear – I’m not exempting myself, nor are you. It’s simply part of the human condition.
The Natural Instinct vs. The Bigger Picture
Our inherent drive for survival means we’re wired to look out for ourselves. This isn’t inherently bad; our desire to live and thrive is a natural, fundamental aspect of all life forms. The problem arises when this instinct prevents us from seeing beyond our immediate needs and considering the broader impact of our actions.
Often, our selfishness isn’t malicious. It’s less about actively trying to harm others and more about being so engrossed in our own lives that we simply forget others exist. Think about that driver who cut you off this morning. Were they trying to ruin your day? Probably not. They were likely in their own world, focused on their own destination, their own schedule, their own problems. We’ve all been there.
The Tunnel Vision of Modern Life
It’s easy to get caught in this cycle. Life moves incredibly fast, and we often feel like we have to rush just to keep up. When you’re constantly in motion, your focus narrows to what you perceive as most important – and for most individuals, that means things directly related to their own lives. We develop a kind of tunnel vision, where our personal struggles and aspirations consume all our available bandwidth. It’s not a lack of compassion or empathy; it’s often a lack of mental space.
The Power of “Us”
But here’s the crucial point we need to consider: We are not alone in this room. We share this world with billions of other people. And more importantly, it is profoundly in our best interest to help each other out. As the old saying goes, “a rising tide raises all ships.”
Look at human history. All the truly great advancements and achievements have been the result of people working together. As a group, we are infinitely more powerful than as isolated individuals. We can leverage each other’s strengths to compensate for our own weaknesses, creating something far greater than any one person could achieve alone.
While what’s best for the collective might not always be the absolute perfect solution for every individual, it is still good for us. We are, after all, part of that collective. Sometimes, “good” is perfectly okay.
Shifting Our Default Setting
Our selfishness is deeply ingrained, almost like a default setting in our psychology. But it’s not unchangeable. We can learn to be less selfish; it just takes conscious effort and practice.
The first, and perhaps most vital, step is simply to remember that other people exist. The individuals you encounter in your day-to-day life are just as real as you are. No one is an NPC in your personal story. Each of them has just as much right to live and thrive in this world as you do. Once it becomes a habit to acknowledge your place within a larger community, it becomes easier to shift your focus from solely yourself to include others.
Another powerful action you can take is to slow down a little. Find ways to create space in your life for reflection and thoughtful consideration. Yes, life is fast, but we don’t have to be constantly rushing. The world won’t leave you behind if you take a breath. When you give yourself this space, you can truly consider how your actions will affect those around you. You can make more informed, more compassionate decisions. Even this small act can contribute to a better world.
The Ripple Effect
You alone cannot eradicate all the selfishness in the world. You are not going to fix everyone. But you can work on yourself. When you become less selfish, you will not only feel better, but those around you will benefit too. And if more of us commit to this personal journey, focusing on improving our own lives in this way, then the world truly will become a better place, one thoughtful action at a time.