Community-Led Growth: Understanding Desires and Taking Control of Your Life

Community-Led Growth: Understanding Desires and Taking Control of Your Life

In today's tech-driven world, community-led growth is becoming a powerful force. People are not only using platforms like Public for investments but also to engage in conversations and build relationships. This shift towards a community-first orientation is not limited to just one platform, but rather a growing trend across various industries.

What sets successful community-driven platforms apart is their genuine focus on valuing the community as a core part of their business, rather than simply adding a forum as an afterthought. Morning Brew, a popular business newsletter, exemplifies this approach by fostering audience interactions and creating a sense of belongingness among its readers.

The key to building a thriving community lies in breaking down barriers and enabling customers to interact with each other. It's about creating a space that aligns with the needs of its members, rather than using it as a channel for product updates. The success of a community is not solely dependent on the product or service it revolves around but on the underlying mindset and intentionality behind it.

While community-led growth is gaining momentum, it's essential to understand the nature of desires and how they drive our actions. Desires, unlike needs, are intellectual appetites for things we perceive as good, even if there is no physical or instinctual basis for wanting them. The pleasure derived from desires is primarily intellectual, and it is the pursuit of these desires that brings us joy.

Renowned philosopher Thomas Aquinas described desires as part of the 'will,' emphasizing the striving towards the object of desire. When we possess the desired object, our will finds rest, and we experience joy. However, desires are inherently rooted in a sense of lack, as they revolve around something we feel we don't have.

What's intriguing about desires is their social nature. French philosopher René Girard argued that desires are not solely self-generated but largely influenced by social processes. We tend to desire things that others want because they have modeled these desires in a way that appears appealing to us. This mimetic desire is often shaped by both internal and external models.

Internal models of desire include people we interact with in our daily lives – friends, family, co-workers – who have a direct influence on our desires. External models, on the other hand, comprise celebrities, historical figures, and the media, which shape our desires indirectly. Advertisers capitalize on our mimetic nature by presenting us with images of people wanting the advertised product, triggering our desire for it.

Recognizing the models that influence our desires is crucial. Internal models can lead to volatility in our desires, as we can influence each other's desires within our immediate social circle. Mimetic desire often fosters unnecessary competition and rivalry, fueling status anxiety. It's important to be aware of how our desires can be hijacked through this mimetic attraction and focus on our own aspirations rather than being consumed by what others want.

To gain control over our desires, we need to understand the systems of desire we are entangled in. Just like the Michelin Guide became the organizing principle for a chef's choices, our desires can be shaped by external systems and expectations. By mapping out the system of desire we are immersed in, we can distance ourselves critically and determine which desires truly align with our values and aspirations.

Moreover, our desires have a history. By delving into our past and reflecting on our evolution as individuals, we can identify long-standing desires and fleeting ones. This self-reflection allows us to discern authentic desires and avoid being driven solely by external influences.

One common pitfall in today's society is the fear of missing out (FOMO), which is essentially a form of mimetic desire. Many of our desires, such as writing a book or starting a company, are products of social interactions. It's essential to differentiate between desires that truly stem from our core motivations and those that are driven by external pressures or comparisons.

Finding your core motivation and understanding what truly drives you is paramount. This motivation can transcend various areas of your life and guide your choices and aspirations. By focusing on what genuinely brings you joy and fulfillment, rather than seeking validation through others' desires, you can break free from the hold of mimetic desire.

Ultimately, it's crucial to remember that people matter more than things. Material possessions are often talismans for deeper desires, and it's important not to attach excessive significance to them based on others' relationships with those things. Rather than constantly seeking happiness outside ourselves, we should strive to find contentment in the present moment and cultivate a lifestyle that aligns with our values and discipline.

In conclusion, community-led growth is revolutionizing the tech industry, emphasizing the value of building relationships and fostering a sense of belongingness. Understanding desires and taking control of our lives is essential to navigate the influence of mimetic desire. By recognizing the models that shape our desires, mapping out the systems of desire we are enmeshed in, and understanding our core motivations, we can break free from external influences and create a life driven by our authentic aspirations.

Actionable advice:

1. Reflect on the models that influence your desires and evaluate whether they align with your values and aspirations.
2. Take the time to map out the systems of desire you are entangled in and distance yourself critically from their influence.
3. Understand your core motivations and ensure that your desires stem from genuine aspirations rather than external pressures or comparisons.

Remember, you have the power to shape your desires and create a life that brings you true fulfillment. Embrace the community around you, understand your desires, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.