There's always a conflict between goal-directed, sacrifice-oriented work patterns and life-directed, interpersonal-directed work patterns. If you're goal-directed, you're looking at that 100MM in sales. If you're life-directed, you're counting the days until the baby takes its first steps.
I'm unhappy with everything I've read along these lines, and I've read a lot of it on HN and elsewhere. I'm also unhappy with my own balance many times. The problem is that both extremes are not lives I would want to have. I do not want to be a Buddhist, sitting around in loose-fitting clothing feeling perfect happiness. I also do not want to be a driven type-A sort that is counting pennies the last day of his life.
My best guess so far is to start out enjoying the struggle -- go freaking do something with yourself and the world. As you begin to gain traction, back off and actually have a life. The trick, of course, is learning when and how to back off, so I probably haven't added much to the discussion. :)
One thing I know for sure is I agree with this thesis: happiness cannot be just around the corner. It must be whatever you are doing right now.
I'm unhappy with everything I've read along these lines, and I've read a lot of it on HN and elsewhere. I'm also unhappy with my own balance many times. The problem is that both extremes are not lives I would want to have. I do not want to be a Buddhist, sitting around in loose-fitting clothing feeling perfect happiness. I also do not want to be a driven type-A sort that is counting pennies the last day of his life.
My best guess so far is to start out enjoying the struggle -- go freaking do something with yourself and the world. As you begin to gain traction, back off and actually have a life. The trick, of course, is learning when and how to back off, so I probably haven't added much to the discussion. :)
One thing I know for sure is I agree with this thesis: happiness cannot be just around the corner. It must be whatever you are doing right now.