The moment you have a definite image of what _your_ world needs to be like before you're happy, you've already set yourself up for disappointment. You're right (based on my definition of right!) it's a balance - you need to have some goals in place that you can work toward, but also be fine and content with other things. I might want to eventually be financially "free", but that doesn't stop me enjoying simple things a long the way.

edit- re: extremes, for clarification, a balance of extremes :)