That Power Of Focus!

 

Have you ever sat down to work on something important and 15 to 20 minutes later, you're checking your phone?  OR rearranging your desk?  OR in that deep YouTube rabbit hole?  YES YES yowww, it happens to all of us, I was in that 'rabbit hole' many times in the past, all becauss FOCUS is damn slippery.  THAT POWER OF FOCUS.  we would normally start the day with the good intentions to finish off this task, to run that errand, to discuss with your spouse/partner your financial priorities and so on UNTIL distractions would steal our energy way before we even realize it, whew!@#$%?

If there's a recurring miss I would hear OR bear witness over and over again, it's the misconception that FOCUS is all about will power.  BUT it's NOT dude.  Instead, FOCUS is a skill, period.  And like any skill, you've got to hone it, make it sharp and later sharper as long as you consistently practice and execute it alongside a disciplined mindset.  NOW you might challenge me, questioning WHY I'm making a mountain out of a molehill WHEN it comes to FOCUS💥💥💥

The harsh reality in our global village is that we live in communities that train us to lose FOCUS.  In the bluntest terms, circumstances SET US UP to lose FOCUS.  Those smartphone notifications, endless scrolling, and a culture that rewards 'BUSYNESS" over 'PRODUCTIVITY" makes it almost impossible for us to deep-dive and get engrossed in a meaningful task OR work from end-to-end with hardly any distractions.  BUT looking back, I realized I did reap tons and tons of benefits arising out of being FOCUSED LIKE:

• LIKE that breakthrough idea that arose out of my stillness
• LIKE that project completion I made it by ignoring the world
• LIKE decisions I made WHEN I slowed down & had clarify

Truth is, our FOCUS-related problems are NOT that earth-shaking and it ISN'T because we lack ideas.  Instead, our legitimate problem is that we rarely protect our FOCUS long enough to bring them in life.  And frankly, much as we are aware HOW to avert OR pre-empt those distractions, we even become complicit [i'll call it GUILTY] to quickly succumb when distractions pop-up.  HOW can we fix things if we become a part of the problem INSTEAD being part of the solution???

Our takeaway:  The ramifications and consequences of our loss of FOCUS can't be understated, to rattle off its key impact areas:

• Ending up struggling to complete one's task
• Being prone to commit [avoidable] mistakes
• Ending up with LOW QUALITY kind of work
• That lack of energy would eventually lead one to tiredness & fatigue, a double-whammy at that!!!

Why Do We Procrastinate, SERIOUSLY!

 

Let's start off our light blog today with a giveaway question:  WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID PROCRASTINATE?  If I may guess, if it's NOT yesterday, it's last week OR within the last month?  YES, that's a blockbuster as we seem to keep breaking records in terms of PROCRASTINATION.  BUT before we whack ourselves, WHY DON'T we pause for a while and seriously ponder as to WHY DO WE PROCRASTINATE, SERIOUSLY???

NOT to defend the guilty parties [and that includes me a few times in the past], many PROCRASTINATORS know that that behavior [of PROCRASTINATING] really hurts them BUT they nevertheless keep doing it even though they want to stop.  There you go.  Many of us have that earnest desire to right the wrong BUT experts advise that before we take action, let's answer these perplexing questions:  WHY DO I PROCRASTINATE EVEN THOUGH I'M AWARE IT'S WRONG???

Experts tell us that answering these questions is a MUST-DO because in order for us to overcome PROCRASTINATION, it helps to understand WHAT causes it in the first place?  And the most common result of multiple studies tell us that we PROCRASTINATE because our DRIVE TO DELAY is irrationally stronger than that DRIVE TO ACT.  And this happens WHEN their self-control and motivation are weakened by issues LIKE exhaustion, and are opposed by issues LIKE fear.  YES, the DRIVE TO ACT represents HOW strongly we can push ourselves💙💛💚

Sometimes, a person's self-control can be influenced by HOW tired he is WHILE his motivation can be influenced by HOW long they will have to wait before they are rewarded for taking action.  And issues LIKE exhaustion and far-future outcomes can indeed interfere with our self-control and motivation and consequently reduce our own self-drive to act as can many other issues LIKE depression, ADHD, and even low self-efficacy.  And conversely, that DRIVE TO DELAY represents HOW strongly people feel pushed to avoid taking action at the moment✅✅✅

Our takeaway:  Much as PROCRASTINATION is NOT so-simple  to have a final fix, it makes sense we pin down the most common root causes LIKE:

• PRIORITIZATION of our short-term mood😡
• TASK AVERSIVENESS - because a task is boring
• ANXIETY & FEAR - afraid to be criticized???
• FEELING OVERWHELMED - that's all in the mind!
• PERFECTIONISM - that's bull____ !@#$%?
• LOW MOTIVATION - dude, got to arrest that skid!

Is Playing SAFE RISKIER Than Taking Risks?

 

For the longest time, we were taught and trained that we should always PLAY SAFE.  To further turn the waters murkier, we are reminded a zillion times of RISKS.  And a typical exclamatory statement is:  DON'T TAKE RISKs!  Seriously?  On the other hand, those living a free-wheeling life would blurt out:  NO RISK, NO GLORY.  You may then ask me, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?  WHY is it when at times, PLAYING SAFE IS RISKIER THAN TAKING RISK?  This will be a wild and rowdy discussion BUT I like this thread then💚💛💜

WHILE I CAN'T claim to be an expert on this topic, I do have my fair share of experiences WHICH will guide me to share my 2-cents.  Firstly, if I look back, had I PLAYED SAFE, surely I am NOT as WHAT I am today.  NOT to blow my horn OR beat my chest, I can exclaim categorically that I would have tagged myself today as an utter failure IF I PLAYED SAFE all along through the years.  On the other hand, allow me to qualify that I am risk-averse, I took RISKS in a calculated approach and I DIDN'T take RISKS like when you go to the Las Vegas Casinos to splurge all your hard-earned monies😌😌😌

Thing is, WHEN the most risky thing to do is to PLAY SAFE, you've got to be bold and take some calculated risks.  Oh yes, the cost of living keeps going up north with spikes here and there, the value of my local currency remains volative, the situation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran is a powder keg that can ignite World War III and on that note, there is that constant threat of oil price increases💥💥💥

In the business landscape, we'll always hear 'LOW INVESTMENT, LOW RETURNs' BUT from an investor perspective, what matters is NOT the investment BUT the risks up front.  Are they risk averse OR will they throw and roll with the dice?  YES, a direct line can be drawn between RISKS and investing.  As a businessman/investor, it is your call and no one else's.  And that is NO different from the risks we face in life❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  I remember a colleague I once worked with.  He was sharp, well-spoken and absolutely dependable.  If you were his supervisor, you DIDN'T have to literally watch him 'over the shoulder' because he'll deliver the goods at the right time.  YET, after ten years in the company, he was still in that same role.  NO promotions, NO big projects, NO real recognition, WHILE others leapfrogged ahead.  WHY?  Is it because PLAYING SAFE IS RISKIER THAN TAKING RISKS?  That's very true, dude😡😡😡

The ALL-In ALL-Power of Words

 

Supposed, WORDS are WORDS and we should NOT even be bothered about it.  BUT seriously, the ALL-In ALL-POWER of WORDS is way too strong as it can be the catalyst for the best outcomes for both the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE words that get spewed out.  And admittedly, till to date, I always embrace that need to articulate the best possible POSITIVE words if I am genuinely happy with the service I received📗📙📘

Few days ago WHEN I was booking the rooms we needed @Conrad, the online bookings went through lightning quick BUT to my shock, the dates showed the current date [and NOT the dates we needed which was a week later].  Since both room bookings were completed via the 'advanced purchase' mode,  I was literally scampering that that error be rectified ASAP before my paid $$$$$ dissipated in thin air.  In a few minutes I was on the Conrad hotline, a call center agent attended to my urgent need for help BUT I observed that maybe I CAN'T feel that sense of urgency.  So, I hanged up the call and called the hotline again.  That time around, the call center agent did WHAT needed to be done, by cancelling the erroneous booking and initiating the new correct booking on my behalf.  Being satisfied, I asked for the name details of the agent whom I called a 'SUPERMAN' as I wanted to commend him✅✅✅

Enough of that hotel booking though.  A month back, I was at the local hospital fixing everything ob behalf my brother prior to his discharge.  And WHEN I was so impressed with the customer-centricity of one hospital staff, I intentionally went to the Customer Service Office [whose personnel reacted nervously WHEN I stepped in, thinking that I'll file a complaint] only to heave a sigh of relief WHEN I said I want to commend a specific hospital personnel that time😊😊😊

In short, we should NOT be stingy with WORDS WHEN it is to articulate our commendation and appreciation for someone BUT WHAT needs more caution is WHEN and IF we have that tendency for callousness with WORDS especially WHEN the receiving party of those WORDS DON'T really deserve its severity and harshness.  Moreover, WORDS are more often likened to those times way prior to the invention of computers and today's technology where tools and apps always offer that 'UNDO' function.  NOT in WORDS though because once it gets spewed, the impact will reverberate faster than you would even anticipate.  NO thanks to the power of WORDS❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  BTW, those impactful WORDS DON'T just happen verbally.  These days WHEN almost everyone has an email account, those emails have trapped and significantly cause damage to more relationships than ever, regardless if those are professional OR personal emails.  Sadly, many times I was seated at the 'front seat' witnessing harsh exchanges of words via email and I commiserate with both the offending party and the offended one because they both got trapped in those emails.  WHAT was lost between them is the consciousness and awareness HOW WORDS can get out-of-hand to even cause damage to both professional and personal relationships.  YES, that's all because of the ALL-in ALL-POWER of WORDS dude😡😡😡

That 'BLONDE JOKE'!

 

I thought POSITIVITY will be our thread today, so let's start it with this BLONDE JOKE:  A blonde was flying from London to Venice on a 4-engine jet and for this story, the trip was estimated to take 4 hours.  Then, pilot announces that one engine is NOT working and flight time will now be 5 hours.  Later on, pilot announces a second engine is down and flight time will be 6 hours.  30 minutes later, he gets to the intercom to announce the 3rd engine is down and the flight will now take 7 hours.  THEN, blonde turns to the passenger next to her and says:  IF THE 4TH ENGINE QUITS, WE'LL BE UP HERE ALL NIGHT!@#$%?

YES BUT of course that was a joke no less.  BUT seriously, IF only our POSITIVITY borders the POSITIVITY of that blonde onboard the 4-engine jet, then we would be swarming with lots of POSITIVITY in life.  Thing is, the upsides of POSITIVITY CAN'T just be swept under the carpet as it enhances our resilience, it reduces stress & leads to an overall improved well-being and one too many UPSIDEs we CAN'T list here💥💥💥

Ooooops, POSITIVITY DOESN'T always refer to simply smiling and looking cheerful as POSITIVITY is much much more than that as it is more about one's overall perspective in life and their tendency to focus on all that is good in life.  Enough of all the semantics and even definitions as surely everyone has it in the bag,  Instead, let's deep-dive into the traits associated with POSITIVITY instead💚💛💜

• OPTIMISM - THAT willingness to make an effort and take a chance instead of simply giving up
• ACCEPTANCE - THAT act to acknowledge that things don't always turn out how we want them to
• RESILIENCE - THAT spirit to bounce back from an adversity and failure instead of just giving up
• GRATITUDE - THAT active & conscious appreciation of the good things in life
• MINDFULNESS - THAT conscious awareness to enhance our ability to focus
• INTEGRITY - THAT trait of being honorable, righteous & straightforward [and NOT deceitful & self-serving]

Our takeaway:  In a nutshell, these characteristics of a positive mindset may also work in that direction for us to actively adopt optimism, acceptance, resilience, and mindfulness.  Simply put, POSITIVITY is best developed by WALKING THE TALK LIKE:

Getting WHAT you get and NOT pitching a fit

Motivating those around you with a positive word

Looking at an adversity right in the eye and LAUGHIN

Enjoying the unexpected EVEN IF it's NOT WHAT you wanted

Using that POWER of SMILE to reverse the tone of a situation

It's getting back WHEN YOU FALL DOWN [even again & again]

We can go on and on with POSITIVITY but it all boils down to rolling up your sleeves and WALK THE TALK dude😁😁😁

Can We Create That Advantage In Life?

NOT so long ago WHEN I was @Shell, we were one of the first global organizations to create a new corporate function tagged as QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MANAGEMENT.  It was  a trailblazing corporate initiative because it was distinctly differentiated from the traditional old school of thought revolving around Quality Management.  BUT in life, CAN WE CREATE THAT ADVANTAGE IN LIFE???

I remember that Woody Allen one-liner:  80% OF SUCCESS IN LIFE IS JUST SHOWING UP.  And I CAN'T agree less with that.  BUT here's the catch thouugh.  The steep climb could account for that remaining 20% and that becomes a game-changer.  Swinging back to our life, it is a given that most of us WEREN'T born into wealth OR even in a network that propels us to success💚💛💜

Listening from numerous recognized life coaches, one key message that keeps resonated many times is that success often comes down to having that 'RIGHT MINDSET'.  And if we want to gain a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, we need to think differently than the average person.  And we need to to be willing to take risks, push ourselves way beyond and outside our own comfort zones, and be consistently committed to LEARN & GROW!!!

The KEY keyword in the preceding line is LEARN & GROW.  I did bear witness [on a first-hand basis] to gifted people, folks WHO had to exert just a little bit more BUT for them to remain a success for the long haul, they've got to consistently commit to LEARN & GROW.  Any commitment that seems shaky may likely lead one to go off-track.  Another variable I have picked up from professional coaches is having a POSITIVE OUTLOOK and believing in yourself.  Combine that two together, you can make your first attempt to takeoff from the runway✅✅✅

Our takeaway:  Today, I may NOT have the best SUCCESS STORY to peddle BUT on the other hand, I'd be the first one to declare categorically that my own narrative can be tagged in any other way except as a failure.  SO HOW?  Allow me to share my simple set of formulae [till to date]:

• I volunteered for anything - WHILE I volunteered for a cause, I considered the benefits I can derive
• I raised my hand more - YES, I wanted to stand out in a crowd, be recognized, be known
• I never stop learning - YES till to date.  Just last month, I acquired my latest certification [for CONTRACT MANAGEMENT]

CAN WE CREATE THAT ADVANTAGE IN LIFE?  Absolutely dude BUT you've got to invest a lot of yourself into it😗😗😗

Is It That Difficult To BREAK HABITS?

 

Is It That Difficult To BREAK HABITS?  YES, HABITS are HABITS and it is essential that we are able to sift through all the harvested rice, so to speak.  Feeling stuck in a cycle of NEGATIVE OR addictive behaviors is one thing BUT extricating oneself out of that cycle of an evolving and worsening NEGATIVE HABITS is the more important if NOT urgent next thing to take a concrete action📘📙📗

BREAKING BAD HABITS may seem a no-brainer that all it takes is to lift a finger BUT upon lifting that finger, one has to replace that BAD HABIT with a GOOD HABIT.  Keeping it empty OR blank is a void space that may soon be filled with another BAD HABIT, knock on wood.  Frankly, BAD HABITS are unhealthy behaviors we engage in so often that they seem kind of automatic to happen.  And WHILE some habits can be healthy, LIKE brushing your teeth before bed OR buckling your seatbelt in the car, BAD HABITS can often have that NEGATIVE effects on our well-being💢💢💢

BTW, BAD HABITS may seem so petty and trivial LIKE skipping your regular exercise, drinking heavily, smoking OR staying up late in the night [over and over again] to binge-watch Netflix OR Youtube movies OR maybe even just scrolling through social media could all impact one's mental and physical health, increasing stress and even exacerbating symptoms of depression OR anxiety.  BAD HABITS can also take on the form of social behaviors LIKE if you habitually make yourself the focus of every conversation WHICH can annoy those around you and even create divisions within your closest relationships💥💥💥

If one is a people-pleaser, you can keep saying YES and nodding your head for every request even WITHOUT THINKING.  In the end, others may take advantage of one's kindness, impacting one's own welfare.  YES, sometimes the consequences of one's BAD HABITS are obvious LIKE wasting weekends WHILE nursing a hangover after an all-night booze on a Friday night OR struggling financially, no thanks to one's gambling OR online shopping habits❌❌❌

Our takeaway:  Through the years, my key realization is that, to a fault, BAD HABITS can be incredibly persistent and difficult to shake off.  I've seen alcoholics and smokers earnestly exerting all possible efforts to CUT & CUT CLEAN BUT all in vain.  You may have tried to drop an unwanted HABIT only to find yourself sliding back into the same patterns of behavior.  Repeatedly failing in your attempts to change a BAD HABIT can leave you feeling disheartened and worse, feeling hopeless, and worst, utterly frustrated.  BUT no matter HOW long you've had a BAD HABIT, OR HOW automatic a behavior it seems, it remains possible and feasible to make a real and lasting change.  SO HOW?  Experts tell us that rather vainly attempt to cut down a BAD HABIT, find for a GOOD HABIT to replace it.  BUT be careful, a GOOD HABIT is a GOOD HABIT.  If you're a smoker and you want to replace SMOKING with VAPING, you're still OFF-TRACK dude.  BUT is it that difficult to break BAD HABITs?  NOT really, BUT you got to pull the bull by its horns. dude😡😡😡

Uncertainties In Life

 

How far is our aware as regards the UNCERTAINTIES in life [and more importantly, HOW do we handle it, if possible, in a preemptive manner? YES YES yow, it's beyond any iota of doubt that our life is filled with a hell lot of UNCERTAINTIES [a.k.a. WORRIES to laymen like us].  BUT the truth is, the biggest chunk in our life remains CONTROLLABLE BUT did we realize WHAT's gobbling up more of our worries???

YES, that's the irony of it all.  Our mindset is more preoccupied in trying to be coping with those difficult circumstances and confidently facing the unknown.  More than last century OR even last year, UNCERTAINTY seems to be hovering all over us.  Looking at our horizons, WHETHER it's about that Covid-19 pandemic, the economy, your health, your relationships, like it OR not, much of WHAT remains ahead in life remains UNCERTAIN.  BUT here's another irony.  As human beings, more often than NOT, we would crave for security, seeking safety and that sense of control over our life and well-being.  BUT WHAT's missed out over and over again is that, that 'IDEAL STATE' may take light years to come into fruition, if at all💥💥💥

Sadly, all those UNCERTAINTIES can leave us feeling stressed, anxious and sometimes powerless over the direction of our life.  YES, all those hodge-podge of variables can lead us to feeling anxious and powerless over the direction of our life.  True, that can drain us emotionally and trap you in a downward viral of endless "WHAT IFs" and even those 'worst case' scenarios about WHAT tomorrow may bring.  YES, we're all different in HOW much uncertainty we can tolerate in life.  Some of us seem to enjoy taking risks and living unpredictable lives WHILE others find the randomness of life deeply distressing.  BUT all of us have our own thresholds [to breach OR NOT]!!!

Once we feel uncertain OR overwhelmed, let us NOT feel in despair because we're NOT alone.  Many of us are on the same boat.  It is also important to realize that NO matter HOW hopeless and helpless you may feel.  SO HOW?  Coping with that UNCERTAINTY often leads us to use worrying as a sort of 'tool' for trying to predict the future and avoid nasty surprises.  YES, worrying can make us seem like we have that semblance of control over those UNCERTAIN circumstances.  True, sometimes we may believe that it will help us to find a solution to our problems OR even prepare and brace for the worst that is yet to come, if at all.  Maybe if we just agonize over a problem long enough, we can think through of every possibility OR read every opinion online, we may find a preemptive fix???

Our takeaway:  All me to share how I handled things through the years [albeit with NO guarantee that it will work out 100% perfectly fine every step of the way]:

• Take action for things you can and have CONTROL
• Deal with your emotions [and CONTAIN it when needed]
• Look for CERTAINTY [instead of future UNCERTAINTIES]
• Challenge your behaviors [in the face of UNCERTAINTY]
• Remain positive as far as you can [and that's bottomless]

To quote this poster, PAIN IS INEVITABLE BUT SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL.  Well said in the face of all the UNCERTAINTIES in life dude😌😌😌

How Often Are You Low On ENERGY Or MOTIVATION?

How Often Are You Low On ENERGY Or MOTIVATION?  Tough question because in the past, WHENEVER this question pops-up, the likelihood was that there was a lingering illness hitherto undiagnosed BUT through the years, we realized that LOW ENERGY is way beyond just medical issues and conditions.  Instead, a significant realization the past decade were zeroing-in on those multifarious manifestations and symptoms that would hit us, either subtly OR at times, quite hard📘📙📗

WHILE we have all the energy in life, we feel ready to take on the world.  WHEN you are experiencing fatigue, we may feel having trouble just getting through the day.  Weariness.  Fatigue.  Low energy.  Exhaustion.  There ar multifarious ways to describe those times WHEN we feel so tired to a point WHEN we just simply CAN'T do anything for that matter💚💛💜

As medical experts tell us, fatigue is more than simply feeling sleepy as it could include components that are either physical [weariness OR weakness], mental [lack of concentration OR sharpness and emotional [lack of motivation OR boredom] and that some causes of fatigue may be apparent like having catch a cold OR flu.  Ask any three people WHAT fatigue feels like and you'll likely to get three different answers because the experience of fatigue may mean differently💥💥💥

WHAT makes things murkier is WHEN we hear fatigue because different people will express fatigue BUT they could be going through root causes unique from each other.  On the other hand, medical experts advise us that WHEN we hear people having trouble paying attention, concentrating OR feeling motivated to perform, medical experts are pointing back to a condition called 'central fatigue' OR brain fatigue as specific areas of the brain are responsible for attention and concentration and other areas are centrally involved in motivation as well WHILE others are involved in alertness OR sleepness WHEREAS they advise that emotional OR psychological factors significantly affect HOW fatigued we may feel😡😡😡

Our takeaway:  Listening to both medical and even non-medical experts, they counsel us that WHAT matters most is our mental health because if we're all GREEN on that aspect, we can typically tackle life events one step at a time, since being in a 'positive place' with mental health is being able to acknowledge emotionally WHERE you are at, knowing that you can accomplish your daily tasks that you need to maintain healthy relationships and in the end, engage in a way that will be meaningful for you.  HOW OFTEN YOU MAY BE LOW ON ENERGY or MOTIVATION should wake us up to take action with urgency before it's too late dude!!!

'Strive NOT To Be Of SUCCESS But Rather Be Of VALUE'

 

'German-born Theoretical Physicist Albert Einstein was widely quoted:  'Strive NOT To Be Of SUCCESS But Rather Be Of VALUE'.  True, everyone of us wants to become successful by accomplishing their goals [and that's perfectly fine].  BUT SUCCESS can mean different things to different people.  For many of us, it is good education, a good job, a good income and a good living.  Oh Oh YESSSSS, we always want to own our own house and maybe even have a spanking brand-new car.  NOT satisfied with a good basic living, many would wish and dream to be in a position of status, LIKE rising up from the ranks of the company organization, WHICH means, one will become wealthy, famous and maybe powerful.  Indeed, man's desires are UNSATIABLE💚💛💜

YES, there are deeply-held life SUCCESS indicators across cultures and even cutting across cultures, one common perception of SUCCESS is a high OR prestigious status and voila, lots lots lots of material possessions, and THE MORE OF EACH, THE BETTER.  YES, SUCCESS in this sense can be important and understandable.  BUT SUCCESS is NOT solely based on WHAT you achieve either in school, at the workplace  OR in business💧💧💧

Dude, frankly, it's NOT about the home you live in, WHAT car you drive and the positions you hold.  These good things alone may NOT make you feel good, happy OR authentic.  SUCCESS can also come in non-traditional and less-physical OR tangible forms, like happiness, living in a simple life, finding love, building strong relationships, realizing your interests and potential, giving back to your community by doing humanitarian work, OR even helping to strengthen the civic foundation of your local community and enhancing the lives of others.  To some people, they see all these as 'VALUE' which means more than SUCCESS.  And the VALUE does NOT always equal the 'MARKET PRICE' as it is known in the business world❎❎❎

True, VALUE CAN'T always be measured and NOT everything that can be measured has VALUE, that's a NOT so obvious fact though.  Imagine that you live in a big house, BUT you get little affection from your family members.  You work long hours in a job that pays well BUT gives you NO freedom.  You maximize your own wealth at the cost of others, you become affluent BUT you lack sympathy for the needy, and you hold a high position of power like CORRUPT government officials, ouch💥💥💥 BUT you get little respect from your followers.  Question:  Are you deemed SUCCESSFUL by those counts???

Our takeaway:  Let's face it.  It's HARD TO ADMIT but human beings need more than just SUCCESS in physical OR material forms.  We also need love and be loved, period.  We need to feel LIKE we are doing something meaningful in our lives.  We need to feel valuable so that we can have authentic happiness.  We DON'T need to give up every material SUCCESS just to feel good OR valuable.  Instead, we can strike a balance OR even do things WHICH embody both.  BUT WHEN VALUE really clashes with SUCCESS many of us would tend to choose VALUE, and that is WHEN we are most fulfilled & satisfied😊😊😊