Contentment can be a magical space. When you are truly content, you are not competing with anyone. You are purely you – pure bliss!
However, contentment can be a double-edged sword. For example, for me, the space of “total contentment” generates so much more energy that I am compelled to attempt newer adventures.
On the other hand, contentment can lead to complacency. Would you be happy if your favorite sportsperson loses interest in the final match saying “I am content being a runner-up?” What if the leader of your country or your organization said, “let us take it easy guys, let us be content with our previous laurels and let us not try anything new ?” What if you were hugely talented but are sleepwalking through life? Then contentment can be a disease.
My work often takes me to very strong people – and, they do not want clapping from me – they want me to be ruthlessly frank, identify their biggest pain points and then help resolve them. The best of champions keep working on their flaws so they can scale newer heights.
Contentment is good if it allows you to focus on your own ideas instead of worrying about what others are doing. Contentment can be dangerous if lulls you into mediocrity.
Last word to Leon Richard Kass, an American physician, scientist and educator best known as proponent of liberal education via the “Great Books” who said:
“If you have easy self-contentment, you might have a very, very cheap source of happiness.”
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