Business Quote by Bernadette Jiwa
““As soon as we open our eyes in the morning, what we want most is to matter, to live a life and to do a work that has meaning. We have evolved to feel this way. Man's first thought was 'I AM'.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Meaning, Bernadette Jiwa, 2020
People instinctively seek purpose and significance, a drive rooted in evolution and self‑identity.
In simple terms: We crave meaning.
Key Takeaway
Pursue purposeful work.
Themes
psychology
purpose
existentialism
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal development
- creative projects
- volunteering
Key Concepts
Self‑actualization
evolutionary psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives your life meaning?
- How can you align daily actions with that purpose?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone finds meaning through work; some seek it elsewhere.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)