TEACHERS of Life: What Is Important / Not Important for People?
(Things, Entertainment, Aspirations, Compliance, Health, Environment, Relationships, Society)
In every era, human beings struggle with one invisible but powerful question:
What is truly important — and what only feels important?
Money feels urgent. Notifications feel urgent. Deadlines feel urgent.
But urgency is not importance.
If we look closely, life itself becomes a classroom — and certain domains become our TEACHERS. These teachers constantly signal what matters and what does not. Yet we often ignore them until crisis forces us to listen.
Let us decode these TEACHERS.
1. T – Things (Material Possessions)
Important or Not Important?
Material resources provide safety, comfort, and status. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, physiological and safety needs form the foundation of human motivation.
Research by Tim Kasser shows that strong materialistic values correlate negatively with well-being and life satisfaction.
Psychological Concepts:
Hedonic Adaptation
Materialism vs Intrinsic Values Theory
Example:
A professional buys a luxury car believing it will bring long-term happiness. Within months, it becomes “normal.” The EMI remains. The joy fades.
2. E – Entertainment (Enjoyment & Pleasure)
Important or Not Important?
Pleasure is not the enemy of productivity. Positive emotions broaden thinking, as explained in the Broaden-and-Build Theory by Barbara Fredrickson.
However, endless stimulation can lead to dopamine fatigue.
Psychological Concepts:
Dopamine Reward Loop
Instant Gratification Bias
Example:
Weekend relaxation refreshes you.
Binge-watching every night exhausts you.
3. A – Aspirations (Goals & Ambitions)
Important or Not Important?
Goals give direction. Self-Determination Theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan states that intrinsic goals (growth, mastery, contribution) produce deeper fulfillment than extrinsic goals (fame, wealth, image).
Psychological Concepts:
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
Goal Orientation Theory
Example:
Two managers chase promotion:
One wants power and title.
The other wants impact and mastery.
The second sustains motivation longer.
4. C – Compliance (Rules, Ethics, Law)
Important or Not Important?
Compliance ensures social order. According to Lawrence Kohlberg, moral development evolves from fear-based obedience to principle-based ethics.
Psychological Concepts:
Moral Reasoning Stages
Social Contract Theory
Example:
An employee follows policy only when monitored.
Another follows principles even when unseen.
5. H – Health (Mental & Physical)
Important or Not Important?
Health is often ignored until threatened.
The Biopsychosocial Model by George L. Engel explains that health is a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Psychological Concepts:
Stress Response (Cortisol Activation)
Burnout (Maslach Burnout Theory)
Example:
A leader sacrifices sleep for targets.
After 5 years, hypertension teaches what wisdom could not.
6. E – Environment (Eco-Conscious Living)
Important or Not Important?
Climate anxiety is real. Research on prosocial behavior suggests that people experience higher meaning when acting for collective welfare.
Psychological Concepts:
Intergenerational Responsibility
Collective Efficacy
Example:
Switching to sustainable habits may feel small.
But collective small actions create systemic change.
7. R – Relationships (Family & Friends)
Important or Not Important?
The longest longitudinal happiness study — the Harvard Study of Adult Development — concludes that quality relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness and longevity.
Psychological Concepts:
Attachment Theory
Belongingness Hypothesis
Example:
A CEO with wealth but no emotional support feels empty.
A teacher with moderate income but strong bonds feels fulfilled.
8. S – Society (Contribution & Service)
Important or Not Important?
Viktor Frankl argued that meaning arises when we serve something larger than ourselves.
Psychological Concepts:
Eudaimonic Well-being
Purpose-Driven Life Orientation
Example:
A professional mentors young talent.
Their income doesn’t increase — but their meaning does.
The Paradox of Importance
What feels important daily:
Emails
Social media
Status comparison
What proves important over decades:
Health
Relationships
Meaning
Integrity
Psychologists call this the Urgency vs Importance Bias — we overvalue short-term stimuli and undervalue long-term foundations.
A Reflective Framework
Ask yourself weekly:
| Domain | Am I Overvaluing or Undervaluing? |
|---|---|
| Things | Am I buying identity? |
| Entertainment | Am I escaping or rejuvenating? |
| Aspirations | Is this ego or growth? |
| Compliance | Am I ethical when unseen? |
| Health | What habits am I neglecting? |
| Environment | What footprint am I leaving? |
| Relationships | Who needs my presence? |
| Society | What am I contributing? |
References
Kasser, T. (2002). The High Price of Materialism.
Fredrickson, B. (2001). Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions.
Deci, E. & Ryan, R. (1985). Self-Determination Theory.
Kohlberg, L. (1976). Moral Development Theory.
Engel, G. (1977). Biopsychosocial Model.
Harvard Study of Adult Development (1938–Present).
Frankl, V. (1946). Man’s Search for Meaning.
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