Saturday, July 12, 2025

Balancing Long-Term Improvement with Short-Term Happiness

Balancing Long-Term Improvement with Short-Term Happiness

By Leo Babauta

Posted on July 12, 2025


There’s an age-old dilemma when it comes to trying to improve your life: how do you focus on the long-term goal while also enjoying life right now?

It can often feel like a trade-off — I should go to the gym (or study, write, work on that hard project, etc.) … but I also want to relax, veg out while watching TV, eat donuts, play video games, etc.

Should I enjoy myself now, or do what’s good for my future? Should I work hard and then get the reward, or forget about the hard stuff and just enjoy this moment?

For me, there is no right answer … but I learned a “trick” that helps me combine the two approaches into one.

Here’s how it works:

I figure out what will make me happiest in the long-run — what is the life that I really want?
Then I figure out what I can do today to make that happen. What steps can I do repeatedly to build the life I want?
Then I find a way to love the hell out of that activity.
Let’s dive into these things to really put them into action in our lives.

Take the Long-View
People often make the mistake of mostly taking a view that’s too short-sighted — spend all my money now on shopping online, instead of save and invest. Eat all the sweet things, instead of going for the run.

Now, to be clear, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying yourself! Savor the sweets, treat yourself! The problem is when the short-term becomes your main view. It becomes more a matter of impulse than doing what will benefit your life.

So I like to take the long view more often than not. What do I want to build for myself over time? For me, that might be things like: a meaningful impact at work, health and longevity, learning and growing, and loving relationships.

What would it be for you?

Find the Repeatable Actions
Once I have some clarity on what matters most over the long term, I ask myself: what steps can I do on a regular basis that will lead to that long-term vision?

Things like daily exercise, eating whole foods, daily writing sessions, spending meaningful time with loved ones.

These things might come into conflict with short-term impulses (distractions, junk food, laying on the couch) … and so I try to prioritize the long-term over the short-term … most of the time. Not always, but if I’m doing those repeatable steps on a regular basis, then I’m golden.

Love the Hell Out of Those Steps
Here’s the trick: learn to absolutely love the repeatable steps that lead to long-term success. You don’t have to sacrifice your happiness when you do those steps.

For example, if you love eating junk food … but eating mostly whole foods is what will lead to your long-term health … then could you love the whole food diet? For me, the answer is absolutely yes! I eat delicious bowls of beans and veggies, topped with avocado and hot sauce. For me, that’s eye-rollingly good!

For exercise, I’ve been playing basketball lately and going on walks. I adore these kinds of activities!

I write my latest book on most weekdays … and while those might be more of a struggle, I find ways to bring curiosity, service, love and play into those writing sessions.

You can bring play and curiosity and a sense of wonder into anything. Including those things that are good for you over the long term. It just takes a willingness to find the delight in those beautiful actions.

with love,

Leo Babauta
Zen Habits



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