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I've never understood why people have motivation to be successful

Malak

Malak

Lifer
The most successful men in america spend all their free time working. What kind of life is that? Not one that I would like. I will make do with just enough so I can live a happy life.
 
Some people have the motivation simply because they want to test themselves; resting on your laurels is understandable if you've already achieved so much, but you can't push yourself to your limit and produce your best work consistently without constantly working.

The other motivation, I think, is more material; the more you work, the greater your financial compensation and rewards (generally speaking). The best lawyers make well over six figures but they also work 16 hour days.


I used to have that same puzzlement that the OP did; it did make much sense to keep working until you dropped dead of a heart attack if all you already made enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life (say 2-5 million bucks), and/or had numerous accomplishments. But I started to understand after reading one of Donald Trump's books, where he said he gets his kicks out of making deals (and bargaining). It's not always the material interest that drives people, but also the psychological (ie ambition, pushing limits).
 
Originally posted by: ModerateRepZero
Some people have the motivation simply because they want to test themselves; resting on your laurels is understandable if you've already achieved so much, but you can't push yourself to your limit and produce your best work consistently without constantly working.

The other motivation, I think, is more material; the more you work, the greater your financial compensation and rewards (generally speaking). The best lawyers make well over six figures but they also work 16 hour days.


I used to have that same puzzlement that the OP did; it did make much sense to keep working until you dropped dead of a heart attack if all you already made enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life (say 2-5 million bucks), and/or had numerous accomplishments. But I started to understand after reading one of Donald Trump's books, where he said he gets his kicks out of making deals (and bargaining). It's not always the material interest that drives people, but also the psychological (ie ambition, pushing limits).
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it definitely is ambition. you just want to do something more than everyone else.

i mean on the same level, why win a gold medal at the olympics. why not just be average and just be like everyone else.

most people dont want to be average, only some people will put in the effort to be better than average.
 
1 word: capitalism. It's the entire reason we live in luxury, consume, and are treated to the latest advancements. Some people are not content with being at the bottom or have a vision and want to see it fulfilled.

Or you can be like me and major in political science 😛
 
Originally posted by: Malak
The most successful men in america spend all their free time working. What kind of life is that? Not one that I would like. I will make do with just enough so I can live a happy life.
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Making enough to be happy sounds successful to me.
 
Originally posted by: igowerf
Originally posted by: Malak
The most successful men in america spend all their free time working. What kind of life is that? Not one that I would like. I will make do with just enough so I can live a happy life.
Click to expand...

Making enough to be happy sounds successful to me.
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making enough to be comfortable and happy, generally is a lot of money. i think most people aren't THAT comfortable, and you have to be well above average to be real comfortable. i guess it depends how low you set the bar for being happy and comfortable.
 
Originally posted by: hans007
Originally posted by: igowerf
Originally posted by: Malak
The most successful men in america spend all their free time working. What kind of life is that? Not one that I would like. I will make do with just enough so I can live a happy life.
Click to expand...

Making enough to be happy sounds successful to me.
Click to expand...



making enough to be comfortable and happy, generally is a lot of money. i think most people aren't THAT comfortable, and you have to be well above average to be real comfortable. i guess it depends how low you set the bar for being happy and comfortable.
Click to expand...

I don't know what thread this is parodying, but I actually agree completely with the OP. There's nothing wrong with being good at something, or challenging yourself in whatever interests you have; but nothing says those have to equate to career choices. Some people care about their jobs, some people don't. I'm not talking about work ethic...I put 100% into every job. I just don't care, nor do I have any interest in ever 'getting anywhere'.

As long as I make enough to live happily (which for me is anything over 20-30k a year), then I don't have any desire to sacrifice portions of my life that matter for more money. I also have 0 interest in competition...the only person I want to be better than is myself from yesterday. I don't ever want to be in charge (unless it's important and I can do it better than whomever is doing it now), I don't want power, I don't want fame. For me a job isn't anything important in your life, it's what interrupts what's important in your life.
 
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Originally posted by: hans007
Originally posted by: igowerf
Originally posted by: Malak
The most successful men in america spend all their free time working. What kind of life is that? Not one that I would like. I will make do with just enough so I can live a happy life.
Click to expand...

Making enough to be happy sounds successful to me.
Click to expand...



making enough to be comfortable and happy, generally is a lot of money. i think most people aren't THAT comfortable, and you have to be well above average to be real comfortable. i guess it depends how low you set the bar for being happy and comfortable.
Click to expand...

I don't know what thread this is parodying, but I actually agree completely with the OP. There's nothing wrong with being good at something, or challenging yourself in whatever interests you have; but nothing says those have to equate to career choices. Some people care about their jobs, some people don't. I'm not talking about work ethic...I put 100% into every job. I just don't care, nor do I have any interest in ever 'getting anywhere'.

As long as I make enough to live happily (which for me is anything over 20-30k a year), then I don't have any desire to sacrifice portions of my life that matter for more money. I also have 0 interest in competition...the only person I want to be better than is myself from yesterday. I don't ever want to be in charge (unless it's important and I can do it better than whomever is doing it now), I don't want power, I don't want fame. For me a job isn't anything important in your life, it's what interrupts what's important in your life.
Click to expand...

excellent post! I'm putting part of it in my sig. I work to live and refuse to live to work.
 
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