Hard Truth: 'Work-Life' Balance Is Way Overrated

Most people view life's goal is to be happy. I believe that's misguided.

If the goal is happiness, one could, for example, spend all your time gardening, watching comedies, having sex, etc. Yet if everyone did that, the planet would be far worse: Patients would die, homes wouldn't get built and products wouldn't be invented.

Not A Worthy Goal
Mother Teresa didn't work in the stench of Calcutta streets, ankles bitten by scorpions, because it made her happy. She did so because helping humankind was far more important than her being happy. Cardiologists who choose to work nights and weekends to keep more patients alive realize their life is more meaningful than if they had opted for the vaunted work-life balance. Even the supposedly lowly payroll clerk, who after the standard workweek takes work home to ensure everyone is paid accurately and on-time, is living a far worthier life than someone who diverted that time to recreation.