Chapter 24. Putting It All Together

One of life’s great fascinations is watching people evolve over time. Some people grow and develop, while others seem to be stuck in patterns that limit their happiness and well-being. Others excel in certain areas of their lives while failing miserably in others. A small few are spectacularly successful by conventional measures, yet are perpetually dissatisfied. Is there a simple model we can use to make sense of these observations?

Many years of watching and thinking have led me to believe that we can further our understanding by simplifying the problem. The model I use consists of three fundamental states, characterized by the Yiddish words schlepper, macher, and mensch. First I will describe the states, ...

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