I was listening to a podcast interview and was reminded of an idea I've had before. We are seemingly always being bombarded with Be the best and Never be satisfied and the like. And some say that anything less is the attitude of a loser, that the minute you become satisfied you stop pushing and sit back. But it's more complicated, and if you’re never satisfied then how can you be happy?
Ok so it's Rainn Wilson on Armchair Expert talking about how for 20 years he was obsessed (he calls it an addiction) with his career. And after finding success on The Office he finally had the opportunity to be a leading man in a major movie. And it flopped. Disaster. And he took it hard. And over time, with lots of therapy, he came to realize, Not everyone is a movie star. I have a great career.
You're not Michael Jordan, but you're in the NBA.
I've had a similar conversation while watching golf with my dad. People will put a guy down who Hasn't won the big one or is deemed to be a disappointment in some way. I look at the same guy and say He's playing golf professionally, making gobs of money doing what he loves.
Can we be satisfied and still successful? Do you want to spend 30 years grinding your teeth and digging in Bill Belichick style?
Sometimes I think it's better to live in moderation, and instead seek a level of sanity.
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