One can be content or happy without being complacent. Also finding peace with what you have can open motivation to make change. The discontent of one’s current situation can be debilitating and demotivating so removing the mood or feeling can actually enable action.

But then what you put effort in will resonate with you and not be the same as what you would do when trying to chase something to impress someone outside.

There is this strange paradox of accepting a situation enables changing it. I hope others who read this who understand it better will share their more lucid insights.