In living one's life: Should one constantly try to seek new challenges or settle on a comfortable plataeu?

Question

Sometimes of these challenges seem infinitely difficult--as in I could make it as hard as I want to make it and reap rewards accordingly--but at some point I feel I have to find a level where I could feel comfortable and not have to keep pushing myself and going through unnecessary difficulties.

Some people are wired to keep pushing themselves and not care about anything else but I can't do it without having to give up other things I enjoy. So is it alright to find a happy medium even though it may mean you do not live up to your full potential?

Answer 1

This is too dependent on the individual, the kind of person they are and the kind of life they want. Some people will be content with a simple life. Its easy, they are happy and things move on in a methodical way. Some people can never be happy. they move from one thing to the next and its the search that is exciting to them. I would say most people will probably settle in to a pattern and every so often some minor or maybe drastic changes are needed to change things up. Personally (being obsessive compulsive) I cant stay with one thing. I want to know as much as possible and am always looking for something new and different. I have learned however that it is true that "he who increases knowledge, increases sorrow." Ecclesiastes

remember Leonardo Divinci, considered one of the best artists in history said he had not finished a single piece of art he started. And Socrates, considered the smartest man of all said "All I know is I know nothing."

Answer 2

Seeking challenges for challenging sake is a wasteful excercise.It will be like walking on a treadmill. You keep walking but you are going nowhere.

Secondly challenges have to be self driven , by an inner urge. It should not be driven by other people ( peer pressure) .

Thirdly, challenges have to take you towards your goal... whatever it may be. It could be leaving a mark in the world, achieveing an inner satisfaction, making a difference to the world.

These above are my experiences . In my own field I decided to contribute something in the field of cancer. It was connected with business allright. but , at a aprticular time the importance changed. Earning became secondary and contributing to the field became priority.I could challenge myself to go one up on myself.

But, I realised there was no end to this chase. After achieveing a level I chose , consciously, to retire from the race. I am , now , on ( what you call) a comfortable plataeu.

Answer 3

Both. I think the ideal situation would be one where you didn't have to constantly struggle (you had reached a stage in your career where you could afford to relax a little & take it easy to enjoy leisure time rather than working yourself to death) but where you still pushed yourself in other areas, to learn new things & meet new challenges. For instance, you make a comfortable living & don't have to strive to climb the corporate ladder (or whatever you do in your professional life) so in that sense you are settled on a comfortable plateau. In your spare time however, you could now pursue things you hadn't previously had time for (maybe you wanted to go sky-diving or rock climbing or take a cooking course, exercise more, travel, etc etc) Life is about learning & growing. There are always new things to do. New challenges to meet. These can be fun, they don't have to be work! That's what makes life interesting.

So settle on your plateau but still take risks, try new things, experience life. Life shouldn't be an arduous struggle "infinitely difficult" as you put it. People work hard with the hope that they can one day retire. People strive to earn enough money so that one day they can relax & not work so hard. But you don't want to stagnate. You can take it easy & still learn & grow as a person. Just always be willing to learn & experience what life has to offer.

This is the happy medium. Don't push yourself too much. But don't stop living up to your full potential! There is always room to grow emotionally, spiritually etc, not just professionally. Above all, enjoy yourself! Have fun! Life is meant to be lived!

Answer 4

It's like this. Find a comfortable balance between being able to settle for what you have, and knowing what you want, striving to get by and choosing to succeed. Life will give you the challenges you need.So the answer to your question is, yes "the happy medium" is fine

Answer 5

Good question! (unless you got the idea from something you read). I was given a course on that type of things, and it is indeed a balance. You do have to point high, but in doing so you also have to take into account your limitations and posibilities. It's a matter of doing the most of what you've got. If you have a talent, exploit it, but don't over use it because you may kill the chicken of the golden eggs.

Answer 6

I personally am always looking for a new challenge. I found life to be dull when there is nothing to do. I had everything I wanted and wasn't missing anything so I decided to throw it all away and start all over again from nothing, and even when i accomplish my new goals i will keep looking for new challenges and new ways to better my self.

Answer 7

If you're happy with your life, then fine! Maybe one day you'll have other needs or other desires, and you'll try to make them come true. But if you're happy the way you are, why make you unhappy?