Stuck between mediocrity and excellence

To say you made more money by working more is not evidence of immense intellectual creativity. In fact, I call it the donkey strategy. -David H. Maister - True Professionalism Continuing... The point of any business is to find ways to make money without working harder. If I fail at making any other (real) improvements, I'll probably do that because I like the income, but I'll never chest up with pride and say, "Look at me-I'm a donkey: I made money by working more!"  [I should just stop the post right here. ] My latest epiphany is that I am a donkey. I am not only a donkey, I am now the CDO. Before, I worked a lot because I figured that if I worked harder and longer than the next guy, I would outperform that person and move up the ranks faster. Oh-- and I actually liked it and was somewhat appreciated for my contributions. Now I work a lot because 1. I decided to take on more responsibility at my company; and 2. Reasons that I cannot say due to ...

In Marshall Goldsmith's Mojo , he refers to what is called The Great Western Disease. The Great Western Disease afflicts anyone who says or thinks the phrase, "I'll be happy when..." And then fills in the blank.  Admit it. We all do it which means that we're all afflicted.  I used to think that there was a certain dollar amount that I needed to make in order to be happy. But as P Diddy and Biggie say, "Mo' money. Mo' problems." I think to some degree that it's true that the more you make, the more you want. What a vicious cycle. It's been a few months since I left a fairly lucrative job at a large consulting firm. I haven't bought a new pair of shoes in a while. My wardrobe is a little dated. I let my wife drive the nice car while I drive the one that's paid off. But we are still able to eat. My son has more than he needs. And I paid more for him last year to go to school then my parents paid to send me to college. All in al...