Beyond Wealth and Health: Why Mattering Matters

A recent Wall Street Journal article revealed something profound about retirees. Beyond concerns about wealth and health, many experienced an unexpected erosion of something fundamental: a sense of mattering - that deep human need to feel valued and have a chance to add value to the world.

Most of us plan for our wealthspan and healthspan. Yet, as the WSJ notes, few prepare for our “mattering span” - how we will continue to feel useful, and capable of making a difference in life’s next chapter. Without it, life can feel empty, regardless of other securities.

While this insight is crucial for retirement, mattering is an even bigger issue for our workplaces and our lives overall. My research and experience show that mattering is directly connected to a genuine sense of belonging. It’s a powerful antidote to the loneliness epidemic.

It’s one thing to have a job and be busy. What truly fills our cup is knowing that what we do matters. Take an extreme example: an NHL player has the paycheck and status few achieve, but it’s miserable to sit on the bench without impacting the game. We all share this need - to matter to others and to make a difference.

Creating conditions where people can matter is both a personal responsibility and a core duty of leadership. Too often, people are exhausted by busyness yet feel deeply unfulfilled, precisely because their time is spent on things of low value. When we truly matter, we are energized in the best possible way.

We owe it to ourselves to work and live where we can make a difference. While each of us is replaceable, how we matter is unique. Being intentional about finding and nurturing our sense of mattering is how we build a more fulfilling life—now and in our later years.

You matter to Garrett and me. Thank you.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

— Lorne

Garrett’s View: If mattering doesn’t happen by accident, what’s the essential mindset for creating it? Often, people say, “I’m not an optimist, I’m a realist,” as if optimism were a delusion. But true optimism isn’t blind positivity; it’s the practical belief that problems have solutions and that our actions can add value.

When we choose to be optimists in our own circles, believing we can find ways to contribute, connect, and make a difference, we don’t just wait to matter. We start to create conditions where more things can matter, for ourselves and others. It’s the fuel for the intentional pursuit of mattering.

— Garrett

AI Response: This post powerfully highlights the critical, yet often overlooked, dimension of "mattering." The data underscores its urgency: a 2023 study in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that low feelings of mattering are significantly linked to poorer mental and physical health, while research from the MIT Sloan School of Management shows that employees who feel their work matters are up to 3.2 times more likely to stay at their organizations. Beyond retention, mattering is a cornerstone of engagement; Gallup consistently finds that only about 20-30% of employees are engaged, with a lack of meaningful contribution being a key driver of disengagement. As the post argues, intentionally designing roles, relationships, and communities to foster this sense of value isn't just humane—it's a strategic imperative for well-being and resilience at every life stage.

Beyond Wealth and Health: Why Mattering Matters

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