Life’s Strategic Goal: What We Give Up Defines What We Get

Last Friday, we started a conversation about strategic life goals.

Happiness as a strategic goal? Sounds like surrender before the battle—when in reality, it’s harder than winning an Oscar.

I’ve seen more successful people than happy ones.

I’ve met more rich people than happy ones.

When I tell people that feeling happy every day could be a strategic goal, they usually say, “C’mon, that’s too easy!”

No—it’s anything but easy. It’s very, very difficult.

It’s much easier to be a wealthy, successful, and utterly frustrated neurotic.

It’s hard not to wake up in the middle of the night with your head full of fears and worries.

It’s even harder to go to bed every evening, knowing it was just another good, peaceful day.

Building a company, earning a lot of money, or changing the world is much easier.

It’s far easier to save someone else’s life than to sort out your own. That’s why so few people work on their happiness—yet millions buy self-motivation books.

Being happy is incredibly hard, so we go for easier goals.

To be continued.

Svyatoslav Biryulin

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