I am deeply passionate about fostering sustainable well-being in life and often engage in conversations on this topic with a diverse range of people—friends, successful entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, artists, architects, doctors, and clients who feel stuck. Surprisingly, many equate well-being with happiness, which I find puzzling, as happiness can be fleeting. In my view, a fulfilling career or profession is less about constant positive feelings and more about embracing healthy challenges and creating meaningful value.

I believe true well-being and human progress are better measured by one’s ability to achieve goals and fulfill personal values. The good life is a continuous journey of discovery, pursuit, achievement, and the maintenance of those values.

“Value” is a broad term; moral philosopher Valerie Tiberius notes that it can encompass “projects, activities, relationships, and ideals.” Values may range from specific, tangible goals—like buying a new car—to more abstract, long-term commitments such as a marriage, or personal qualities like honesty. Values are what motivate us and guide our choices throughout life.

The conception of well-being as value-fulfillment is grounded enough to keep us rooted in reality, yet expansive enough to inspire a life far richer than simply staying fed, clothed, sheltered, and alive. Yes, we pursue health, longevity, and comfort—values directly supported by material progress. But we also seek meaning and fulfillment: a career that uses our talents and contributes to the world; loving relationships with friends and family; the enjoyment of art and music; and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. We also strive for self-actualization—the full expression of our skills and abilities—regardless of whether it serves any practical purpose.

That last point is worth emphasizing, as it challenges the notion that humans primarily seek ease and comfort. On the contrary, we become bored and restless when we have nothing to do. We crave challenge, adventure, knowledge, and play. When physical survival no longer demands enough of us, we invent challenges ourselves: games and sports, travel, storytelling, math, and science. We run races, climb mountains, compose ballads, and peer through telescopes—not for survival or comfort, but to be fully human and fully alive.