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Marc Andreessen: Stop Chasing Happiness. Chase Satisfaction Instead.

By Marc Andreessen · Mindset & Career · 1 min read

Andreessen doesn't believe in balance. He believes in going all-in and finding meaning in the struggle.

Key Points

Happiness is fleeting. Satisfaction is deeper -- it comes from purpose and impact.
The Founding Fathers messed us up by saying 'pursuit of happiness' instead of 'pursuit of satisfaction'
Money applied to happiness leads to dark places. Money applied to satisfaction is a real tool.

I don't think happiness is the thing to strive for. I think satisfaction is the thing.

Forget Balance

Marc Andreessen doesn't believe in balance. He's the wrong person to ask about work-life harmony. He's much happier when he's fully committed to something.

In favor of imbalance. His words.

I don't believe in balance. I'm much happier when I'm fully committed. I'm very much in favor of imbalance.

The Happiness Trap

Happiness is about pleasure. Satisfaction is about purpose. Finding your gifts and using them. Making the world better. Looking back and saying 'that was hard, but it was worth it.'

Andreessen thinks the Founding Fathers threw America off-kilter with 'pursuit of happiness.' Should've said 'pursuit of satisfaction.'

Satisfaction: 'That was hard, but it was worth it.'

The Elon Example

Andreessen points to Elon Musk. From the day Musk started making money, he plowed it into the next thing. And the next. And the next.

Money applied to happiness leads people down dark paths. Money applied to satisfaction? That's a real tool for building something that matters.

Money chasing happiness destroys. Money chasing satisfaction builds.