06 You need to create your own reward system

Humans have three levels of motivation in the Greek system of thought, according to Fukuyama: apart from the thymotic urge for recognition, which the government or other large bureaucratic systems are basically weak at providing, there are fortunately two other levels: the baser urges, for things and enjoyment, as well as a higher urge for knowledge and thought. Remarkably, Indian philosophy also recognizes more or less the same three-fold partitioning of human nature: the baser spirit of tamas, the intermediate one of rajas for glory, and the higher one of sattva for knowledge and self-realization. The quest for glory and recognition being more likely to bring you to grief through the vagaries of fortune and the machinations of jealous colleagues and inimical forces, the wise government servant concentrates on the other two, and thereby builds up his own reward system that is not dependent on how others respond to him.

The tamasic urges are easily satisfied by buying or possessing things, travelling to see new places and experience new things, eating out, and so on. It is best not to get too deep into these things, however, as it may push you into a constant competition with others and lead you into all sorts of temptation. It is best to keep your spending within a manageable limit, and make small forays into the market to give yourself small intermittent material rewards. A weekly outing, by yourself or with a good companion, will help to keep the blues away and set you up for the next week of faceless toil.

The sattvic, or higher, aspirations are easier to pursue without being drawn into bad habits. A simple approach is to take up some subject of interest as a hobby, or pursue higher studies in it through self-study, distance learning courses, and so on. I’m not trying to be funny here: it is actually a great way of spending your spare time, and gives you a focus outside of your day job. It may even provide you an alternative group or community to interact with, and is an ideal way to baby-sit yourself in those not uncommon spells of enforced idleness between assignments that each of us will fall prey to in the course of a career. It may also provide the basis for a great second career after retirement!