“When you see someone often flashing their rank or position, or someone whose name is often bandied about in public, don’t be envious; such things are bought at the expense of life. Some die on the first rungs of the ladder of success, others before they reach the top, and the few that make it to the top of their ambition through a thousand indignities realise at the end that it’s only for an inscription on their gravestones.” Seneca, On the Brevity of Life.

What matters gets measured, and what’s measured gets done. Pause for a moment from the incessant march forwards towards whatever goal you have in mind. Take a measure of the width of your life right now. Are you living it as widely as you would like? Don’t leave it until you reach the top of your ladder only to find you climbed up against the wrong wall.