A client once told me, “Things are great when everyone’s fat, dumb, and happy.” He was right. When things are going well and it seems you have everything you want, it’s easy to become complacent. When you have money, it’s easy to spend. When you have plentiful food and drink, it’s easy to eat to excess. Soon, you may find yourself broke and overweight.
Happiness is fleeting. There is short and long-term happiness. Long-term, sustained happiness is earned through hard work and discipline.
The smart thing to do is save more when you have more and limit the sweet things even when they are available to us. Why? It creates more reserves and a better future self.
Balance is the key. Live for today, but always keep the positive future in mind. Try this: imagine your future self. Who do you want to be in a week, a month, a year, 5 years from now?
If you develop the ability to remain disciplined, your future self will look back and thank you. Long-term and sustainable happiness is the sweetest when it’s well-earned and well-deserved.