NO ONE and I DO MEAN NO ONE likes doing any kind of work or being involved in any relationship or project without 1) Seeing some positive results, 2) Being complimented by his or her co-workers or superiors, 3) Being compensated in some way or 4) All of the above. Being more specific: A] YOU asked a very good Q. B] I saw the Q and had an answer. C] As I ALWAYS DO, I took the time to respond with the best possible answer I possibly could. D] You saw that answer and D1] (hopefully) awarded points AND D2] (JUST AS IMPORTANT to me) made a Comment. E] As I do my best to do, I acknowledged those points (AND the comment). F] Sometimes others award or DR my answers. G] I respond. Pick any Q & A Forum. It's the EXACT same thing! There isn't any difference. This is why achieving matters: It's a give-AND-take process. It's not supposed to be a one way street, but for a few people, they think it is. They aren't fooling any one but themselves. I'm willing to bet I' not the only person who made the observations and conclusions I just disclosed. THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE: I put it out there for the world to see! Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Sources: Because you asked. Some personal observations and opinions. "THE University of Hard Knocks" also known as ("a/k/a") "life's valuable lessons".

I think what's important is what you try to achieve. If it is balance in your life...if it is a peaceful, helpful and positive way to go through life..that is quite a good goal to have. But if it is "success" as measured by titles, money, awards, status, fame..then I think it is not a worthy way to spend your life. If you live your life with passion, honesty and integrity, then "achievement" may well be part of that. But if "achieving" for the wrong reasons is your goal, you may find life disappointing if the goal(s) you are going toward somehow isn't achieved! :)

It matters because it shows that the achiever does not give up until he reaches him goal. That gives an insight into what type of person he is.

Achievement doesn't really "matter," on an individual level except insomuch as we choose it to matter for our own lives. Achievement is an amorphous definition of how we mark our time on earth. No one can define what achievement means to me. You can choose that achievement means: try to get the most money; get the most sex; help the most people; help the most dogs.... or, of course, any combination of the above or other goals. It is all up to you. On the other hand, you can decide that living life is not about "achieving" anything, it is about "experiencing" things/ going with the flow of what comes your way. I think this might be a more Eastern philosophy. I wonder which of these two divisions actual honest to goodness homeless people fit into statistically. (I bet there are some of both.) As I suspect that there are both at the top of fortune 500 companies. Life is complex. We need to let people decide what matters to them and let them decide (except where it infringes on other peopole's rights of self-determination) whether they have satisfied their own self-set rules.

achievers make the world work.

It inspires competitive people to do more.

because those are the footmarks you will leave behind. Nothing else.

Sorry, this wouldn't post as a "Comment" That's how I think I'm getting "paid". Even when I do my volunteer work, I feel I have to get something in return for what I give. What I get in return is GREAT satisfaction! Of course the wonderful comments I get fro patienst, their families and staff go A LONG WAY, too. As a young boy, I was told, "Never be afraid to ask for more. You can always settle for less. NUT NEVER sell yourself short. Everyione works for something. After my first or second week on AB, someone made the comment, "What's the matter R_Berue, you don't know how to say "Thanks for the points"? YOU ARE UNGRATEFUL! Ever since then, I think it's only fair to mention it. The ONLY place I don't mention it is in Sillyville. Why? Because no one saus thanks for the points. AND I AM "THE Official SPokesman of Sillyville"! Off to do my volunteer work at the hospital! Aloha! Muhalo! Ron Berue