Dear Thay, How can I give up my achievement addiction? I know that achievement is an illusion if the ego is impermanent. But every time I finish one project, my mind says, What next? I know that I contained seeds of generations who believed in the work ethic and that Idle hands are the devil's playground. Giving this up is such a daily struggle. Is there an understanding that would make this easier?

The recommendation I made is not to stop doing the things you like to do. The recommendation I made is that you do it in mindfulness. You don't have to stop. You do it in mindfulness.

And when you do it mindfully, you could know whether what you are doing is the best thing you can do for yourself and for the world. Because doing it mindfully helps you to know the nature of your work and the purpose of your work. If it is only for fame, to show pride or things like that, and then you know that it is not worth doing.

But by working mindfully, you realize that your work is an expression of loving kindness, of compassion. And the work can cultivate more compassion and joy in you. And at the same time it can produce the smile, the happiness, the joy of other people. And then working mindfully like that will bring about a lot of benefits.