> The biggest problem in my life is that all this work and productivity feels meaningless. This is an entirely different, more high-level problem (like softwar

> The biggest problem in my life is that all this work and productivity feels meaningless. This is an entirely different, more high-level problem (like software architecture vs. specific algorithms) Commonly, some may have a short-term goal (get a promotion / climb the next step of the career ladder / finish university) which gives them intrinsic motivation in such a way that they can't rationally explain why they are attracted to that goal. Motivation might be derived from responsibility towards others: Trying to get more done to have more time for kids / elderly parents / partner / hobbies / side-project startup idea. "Feeling no purpose" however is a very common problem. There are coaching programs, retreats, therapy programs and books revolving around this topic. It tends to be complex, and could be a learned behaviour pattern where one neglects their true intrinsic interests; undiagnosed depression; being in a field your parents forced you into which you have no intrinsic interest in, or a mixture of those and some others. I agree that generally, the low-level optimization of flow states only makes sense once you have found your true calling.