What Matters

Life, at its core, comes down to two things. First, knowing how to get what you want. That’s the skill of persistence — learning, negotiating, persuading, working the angles until doors open. But just as important, and often harder, is the second part — knowing what’s worth wanting, worth pursuing.

I was reminded of this during a recent conversation with my son. We were talking about how easy it is to get pulled into chasing what others are chasing — internships because friends apply, courses because they look impressive on paper, or hobbies because everyone else seems to be into them. It feels natural to follow the crowd, but it’s worth pausing to ask: What do I truly want to pursue, and why?

When effort flows toward something that genuinely matters to you, the grind feels lighter, the results feel more personal, and success feels deeply your own.