When we were young, we study hard so we can get good grades. With good grades, maybe our parents will love us.
Upon stepping into society, we work hard so we can achieve success. With success, maybe we can find the love and the recognition our parents never gave us.
The trouble is once you hit your goal, they keep moving the goal posts...
First in your class? Good boy! Now shoot for first in school. Next comes first in Singapore, and since you are at it, must aim for first in the world too!
When I was a purchaser, and have hit the target of reducing the purchase prices by 20% over 5 years. Guess what was my reward? Another 20% price reduction for the next 5 years!?
I joke to my boss that at the pace the company is going, our suppliers will one day give us their products for free!
And soon we begin to get lots of quality recalls and delivery delays... You guess what's the cause?
Yup, we had our SMRT lesson too.
So much for the single-mindedness in achieving one single KPI...
This moving of the goal post is not only foist upon us by others. We do it to ourselves too.
After hitting salary of $100,000 per year, we now aim for $200,000 as our next target. Why?
You tell me :)
I guess how we were brought up has a lot to do with it.
Imagine if you grew up in an environment where love is not condition on what grades you have, what schools you go to, would you not be more likely to be a happy person?
Less insecure about your future and our place on this little earth?
We can be happy even if we are "damaged goods" (like me).
All we needs is the conscious will to choose happiness.
Compliment more; complain less.
Be grateful; less about entitlements.
Do random acts of kindness; don't hurt others.
Start by holding the door for people behind you ;)
Singapore Man of Leisure (welcome to my blog; just google it!)
