Please keep in mind that much of one's approach to life (direction, values, "track record," etc.) is a product of attitude. One must always shoot for the highest goals, standards and ideals in order to not stifle one's ability to grow, change or self-motivate. Further, only the highest goals and standards provide a basis to keep growing over a lifetime.

If one is at a given level, he may decide to only go up one level or to only address a narrow, self-serving goal. A person is alive for the specific purpose of lifelong, ongoing growth. Each time a person attains a higher level, there is always the next level. And then the next.

Personal elevation is a lifelong task and imperative. This can only be accomplished by always having a step further to go. This is part of G-d's infinity manifested in the Torah. This can be seen as unrealistic if viewed as a "one step jump to the ideal." If it's a matter of continual steps, it's the single most valuable and fulfilling part of life. Although it requires overcoming ongoing challenges, you are playing a part in your own ultimate creation. You are living in "the image of G-d." This is achieving the purpose for which G-d created you...so you can create your potential self. There is always something - some shortcoming or form of self-improvement or some inner potential - to work on. This, "in a nutshell," is life.

The Torah says of Noah that he "walked WITH G-D (Genesis 6:9)." In contrast, the Torah says that G-d said to Avraham, "Walk IN FRONT OF ME AND BE PERFECT (Genesis 17:1)." Why does the Torah refer to Noah as walking WITH G-D and Avraham walking IN FRONT OF G-D? Because Noah did whatever G-d told him to do. That is commendable, but there's something more. Avraham ran ON HIS OWN to do the will of G-d BEFORE BEING TOLD. This brought Avraham to WALK IN FRONT OF G-D, to be PERFECT, and to merit being the progenitor of the Jewish people. The holy Zohar, the classic basic text of Kabala (Torah mysticism), says that if one motivates himself here on earth to do the will of G-d, Heaven (so to speak) motivates Itself to help the person (who, on his own, arouses himself to perform the will of G-d), so that the person can succeed.