Does Naval's view on "happiness = reduced desires" contradict struggle/striving?

Hello! I'm very glad to discuss this fascinating question with you. Many people encounter similar confusion when first encountering Naval's ideas.

This is actually a classic question. On the surface, "reducing desire" might seem like advocating "lying flat" or giving up, while "striving spirit" encourages us to pursue and work hard. They appear irreconcilable.

However, if we delve deeper into what Naval truly intends to convey, we discover that far from being contradictory, they represent a more advanced, more sustainable mode of striving.

We can understand this from the following perspectives:

1. Crucial Distinction: Is it "Desire" or "Goal / Ambition"?

This is the core to understanding this issue. The "desire" Naval criticizes may not be the same as the "striving ambition" you understand.

"Desire" as Naval describes it: Refers more to a state of suffering rooted in "craving without attainment." It's like a "contract for unhappiness" you sign with yourself, stipulating: "I choose to be unhappy until I get what I want." This kind of desire keeps you constantly anxious and feeling deprived; your happiness is entirely contingent upon an uncertain future. For example: "If I don't earn 1 million this year, my life is a failure, I'm worthless." In this state, the entire striving process is painful.
"Goal/Ambition" as we discuss it: Can be a calmer, clearer direction. It's not an obsession of "I can't live without it," but rather a compass for action that says: "I choose to strive in this direction and enjoy the process along the way." For example: "I want to improve my abilities and aim to reach an income of 1 million this year. I will make plans and execute them. But regardless of the outcome, I will learn and grow throughout this process."

Do you see? Naval is opposing the painful "inner demon," not the guiding "lighthouse" that moves you forward.

2. A Vivid Metaphor: Climbing a Mountain

Imagine two people climbing a mountain, both aiming for the summit.

Person A (driven by desire): The whole way up, they think: "Why aren't I at the top yet? I'm exhausted, this cursed heat! If I don't make it, will others laugh at me?" They have no interest in the scenery along the path; every step is agony. For them, happiness exists only in the moment they reach the summit.
Person B (guided by a goal): They also want to reach the summit. But they simultaneously enjoy the process: breathing fresh air, appreciating wildflowers by the path, feeling the strength in their muscles with each step. They clearly understand their direction is the summit, but they haven't mortgaged their present happiness entirely to that future result. Even if bad weather prevents them from reaching the summit, they still feel it was a fantastic journey because they cherished the entire process.

Naval's viewpoint encourages us to be Person B. The striving is still happening, the effort is just as intense, but your inner state is one of calm and fulfillment, not anxiety and lack.

3. "Reducing Desire" Isn't "Doing Nothing," It's "Focusing on What Can Be Done Now"

Naval himself is a highly successful investor and entrepreneur – a model of striving. His advocated "reduction of desire" is actually a guide to achieving a Flow state.

When controlled by intense "desire": Your mind is filled with anxiety about the future and regret about the past (why haven’t I succeeded yet?). You cannot focus on doing the task at hand well.
When you "reduce desire" and focus on the process: You can instead channel all your energy into "how to solve this immediate problem," "how to write this line of code well," "how to communicate with this client." You strive because of passion and engagement, not fear and anxiety.

Ironically, this "desireless" mindset often more easily leads to good results.

Conclusion: A Wiser Form of Striving

Therefore, Naval's perspective isn't about abandoning striving; it's about performing a mindset upgrade for your "striving spirit."

Traditional striving: I suffer -> I strive -> I succeed -> I am happy (briefly) -> I find new dissatisfactions -> I suffer... (a cycle)
Naval-style striving: I am internally calm -> I strive/create with enjoyment and engagement -> Results arrive naturally -> I remain calm and happy... (a continuous state)

Simply put, don't forcibly bind your happiness to your striving goals. Striving is a game you choose to play – you should enjoy the process of playing, rather than only fixating on the final achievement. Otherwise, the entire time spent playing becomes torture.

So, there's no contradiction. Reducing the painful "desires" allows you to strive more purely, more enduringly, and more happily. This is a shift from "suffering to pursue" to "happily creating."