I agree with the premise but take issue with the measure for "success": do you feel excited to get up and work on Monday?

We're humans and no matter what you're pursuing, you'll hit a point where your brain will adjust to the new reality and things will start feeling mundane. This is called the hedonic treadmill.

To me, what has helped is developing hobbies and relationships outside of work. We're social animals and need connection with others to feel fulfilled. Personally, my own life feels way more fulfilled right now than when I was just working on interesting projects at work or on my startup (that went nowhere).

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QGQBGdeZREunxLe 7 hours ago | parent [-]

I was hooked by the first few paragraphs but the immediate switch to focus on work was disappointing.

The happiest people I know treat work like the necessary evil to be endured to fulfill all other facets of life.

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tverbeure 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Or you totally love doing what you do at work and, after spending a week at the beach, you can’t wait to go back because you’re so close to solving that interesting problem you’ve been working on for more than a month.

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asdff 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

There is danger to that as well. Work can be an addiction. It is often solitary and removes you from focus on your actual self, friends, family, or community, in favor of "the work."

	▲	nubg 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'm in exactly this place. Looking for help (books) to get out. Care to reend anything?

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coip 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Ah, to have any real amount of time to work on something. Sounds surreal.

	▲	tverbeure 8 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		It’s great!

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thanedar 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

What were you looking to read about in that spot?

Work shouldn't be treated as a "necessary evil".

Reconciling the work vs. meaning split is hugely important.

Even if it means making less money short term, aligning work and purpose through work like politics and writing can make us way happier long-term.

	▲	aster0id 41 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Yeah but work isn't all there is to life, at least for me. There are way more fulfilling things. If you like your work more than anything else in life, good for you. Different strokes for different folks.

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Mistletoe 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The happiest people I know don’t work or love their work. I can’t think of any that fit your description.