“You just need to be more content.”

This statement is hurled around usually in frustration toward someone who’s always looking for the next thing. The next job promotion, the next  gadget, the next phase of life. For the goal-oriented individual, saying, “just be content” kind of sounds like “be complacent,” and that’s a huge no-no for the driven person.

I get what people are saying. We do need to be more content, but it’s not something we can simply turn on and off. It’s not something we just do. Contentment takes active perspective work while complacency says “I’m good. Let’s chill here.”

Unraveling Contentment vs. Complacency

To help draw the distinction beyond a dictionary definition, think about how people describe others with the adjectives content and complacent…

1. They’re a content person. 

2. They’re a complacent person.

Who do you envision in each sentence?

In the first sentence, you’re probably envisioning someone who has a generally optimistic outlook on life, even if they’ve had some hardships. They probably practice gratitude, give back to others, find joy in daily activities, take life in stride, and have a good sense of who they are as an individual.

In the second sentence, you’re probably envisioning someone who doesn’t try. They give up with pessimism on things that take work: relationships, jobs, hobbies that require sharpening skills to excel at, etc. They probably complain, are selfish, and always have something to say about why something just won’t work or isn’t any good.

Functioning through the vision of A Content Pursuit, contentment takes active perspective work while complacency is more sedentary. Contentment says, “I’m choosing to be grateful for things while being honest about life’s challenges and working to make the world a better place.” Complacency says, “This is the way things are, let’s chill here. I have some skills to share, but they’re for my gain, and I just want to do the easy things.”

There’s more nuances for sure. For instance, someone could be generally content but be complacent in one area of their life. Say, content at work but complacent in adult friendships. Also, someone can be content but choose that something isn’t where they want to spend their time and come across as complacent in that area. Say, someone who knows that to excel in one area, another area has to give. An example could be that to excel during a busy season at work means eating out more instead of cooking at home.

Take the Challenge to be Content

Keep analyzing and thinking about it, but generally speaking, being content isn’t something we just do. For the goal-oriented achiever, this is good news. Take the challenge to practice active perspective taking and enjoy the challenge of mentally shifting toward purpose, gratitude, and celebrating achievements.