By Nelson Tanuma
Modern life pressures us to have more, while quietly taking away meaning.
We live in an intensely competitive world where people are constantly pressured to have more – more money, more status, more possessions, more control, even a “perfect” body. This endless pursuit often leads to stress, narcissism, emotional exhaustion, and a persistent feeling of emptiness.
What many of us forget is a simple yet powerful truth: being comes before doing, and doing comes before having.
When we focus on becoming better human beings and professionals – working with love, purpose, and dedication – financial success tends to follow naturally. Wealth, in this sense, becomes a consequence, not the main objective.
I once heard a definition of status that stayed with me because of its brutal honesty:
“Status is buying what you don’t need, with money you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like, pretending to be someone you’re not.”
There is an undeniable truth in this statement.
As we mature, we tend to worry less about external validation and more about self-realization. Still, many people remain trapped in what psychologists often call “Peter Pan Syndrome” – adults who resist emotional growth and responsibility.
Health is another area where the illusion of “having” becomes dangerous. Sacrificing health to accumulate wealth is not intelligence; it is short-term thinking. Many people spend their best years destroying their bodies, only to spend their fortune later trying to recover what was lost.
Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoying the process matters more than obsessing over the final result.
True fulfillment comes from investing in both personal and professional development, having clear intentions, and taking aligned action. Goals are important, but what truly matters is who we become while pursuing them. Our goals shape our emotions, our mindset, and our motivation. They give us a reason to wake up grateful and energized, ready to face new challenges.
Status is often an expensive performance for the wrong audience.
Big dreams require direction. When we know where we are going, organizing our time becomes meaningful. What happens to us matters far less than the meaning we assign to those experiences. Failure does not truly exist – there are only results that teach us something valuable.
Growth demands learning. If we are no longer learning or evolving in our career or business, it may be time for change. And change, although uncomfortable, is essential. Studies suggest that humans fear change even more than death because it forces us out of our comfort zones.
Nature itself teaches us this lesson. From a biological perspective, the cells in our body renew themselves approximately every seven years. We are not the same person we were – and we are not meant to be.
To change requires courage and creativity. Repeating the same actions while expecting different results is a form of insanity that silently governs many lives. Opening ourselves to change allows life to flow again. When we seek meaning, direction becomes clearer. With purpose, self-love grows, and life starts to make sense.
Time management is not optional. Time is irreplaceable. If you do not take care of your life, someone else will decide how your time is used. What differentiates people are not big events, but small daily choices. Money can be recovered; time cannot.
So live fully. Have fun. Love more. Forgive more – yourself and others. And use your time and money consciously. Being will always matter more than having.
* Nelson Tanuma is the director of VITA Business Education in São Paulo, Brazil. He is Brazilian/Japanese, and holds a postgraduate degree in Human Potential Development – www.nelsontanuma.com.br
Sacrificing health for wealth is a loss disguised as ambition.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Why is being more important than having?
Because being focuses on personal growth, values, and purpose, which create lasting fulfillment. Having is temporary and often driven by external validation.
How does conscious living improve success?
Conscious living aligns actions with values, reduces stress, and improves decision-making, leading to sustainable success and well-being.
Is financial success incompatible with spirituality?
No. When money is a consequence of purposeful work rather than the main goal, it becomes a healthy tool instead of a source of anxiety.
What is the difference between success and fulfillment?
Success is often external (status, money), while fulfillment is internal — a sense of meaning, peace, and alignment with who you truly are.
How can I start living more consciously?
Start by clarifying your values, managing your time intentionally, embracing change, and focusing on who you are becoming, not just what you own.
