Humans naturally assess their worth and success relative to reference points in their environment, leading to a perpetual cycle of comparison that often results in dissatisfaction. Instead of focusing on objective standards, individuals compare themselves to peers or prominent figures within their industries, which usually skews toward those who exceed their own achievements. This constant benchmarking against higher standards creates feelings of inadequacy, as people tend to select reference points that highlight their shortcomings. Furthermore, this tendency is exacerbated by the phenomenon of 'hedonic adaptation,' where individuals quickly acclimatize to improvements in their circumstances, such as increased income, negating the initial satisfaction derived from such gains. Consequently, individuals maintain a mindset that emphasizes what they lack rather than appreciating their current situation.