Chapter 1: The Importance of Acknowledging Our Health

The phrase, "When you do things right, people won’t be sure if you’ve done anything at all," resonates deeply within the context of our health and professional environments.

When everything runs smoothly, it's easy to overlook how much effort goes into maintaining that stability.

In a memorable episode of Futurama, titled “Godfellas,” the character Bender encounters a divine figure who offers this poignant quote. It serves as a stark reminder of our tendency to take many aspects of life for granted.

When our workplace is functioning optimally, it's common to hear stories on platforms like Reddit where employees express their frustrations about their contributions going unnoticed. Managers might mistakenly believe that a well-oiled team means certain roles can be easily replaced. This often leads to a rude awakening when a valued employee departs, leaving chaos in their wake.

Such realizations hit hard, especially when we consider that not all employees are easily replaceable. Some individuals play essential roles that are hard to fill, which can lead to detrimental impacts on an organization.

Similarly, we often neglect our health until something goes amiss. When life feels good, we may ignore the subtle signs that our bodies are struggling. Comments like, "It's just a bit of extra weight," or "I'll catch up on sleep this weekend," are all too common. While these may not seem urgent, the long-term consequences can be severe.

Many individuals don’t recognize they have health issues like hypertension or high cholesterol until they undergo routine checkups. We become accustomed to feeling "well," which makes it easy to disregard the effects of poor lifestyle choices.

In a world saturated with processed foods, it’s tempting to indulge in treats like ice cream or fast food. One unhealthy meal may not seem harmful, but consistent poor dietary choices can lead to significant health risks.

As we opt for junk food, we inadvertently limit our intake of nutritious options. Similarly, burning the midnight oil for work means sacrificing precious sleep time. Everything accumulates over time, whether we acknowledge it or not.

“When you do things right, people won’t be sure if you’ve done anything at all,” but when we neglect our responsibilities—be they professional or personal—the consequences can be glaringly evident down the line.

Whether it manifests as premature aging or serious medical conditions, there’s always a biochemical explanation for how things deteriorate. Unfortunately, medications often only address the symptoms rather than the underlying issues.

This creates a cycle where individuals become unwilling subscribers to costly prescriptions, a situation that could have been avoided with better lifestyle choices.

The rise of the subscription economy illustrates how businesses are adapting to this model, with companies providing services rather than tangible products. While easy to switch between services, the same cannot be said for patented medications.

For instance, the new drug aducanumab for Alzheimer’s treatment is priced at a staggering $56,000 per year, a cost that many people cannot afford. This leaves patients with no alternatives and creates a cycle of dependency on costly treatments.

Ultimately, we often fail to appreciate our health until it begins to fail us.

Joel Yong, Ph.D., is a biochemical engineer, educator, and author. His work focuses on elucidating complex biochemical mechanisms that are rarely discussed in layman’s terms.

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Chapter 2: The Dangers of Complacency

In the video "When You Do Things Right, People Won't Be Sure You've Done Anything at All," the discussion centers on how unnoticed efforts lead to complacency in various aspects of life.

The video "Said God: When You Do Things Right..." reinforces the idea that neglecting our responsibilities can lead to significant long-term consequences.