In the state of nature - happiness is the reward for survival and staying alive. Nowadays survival is easier therefore happiness is more elusive. Unhappiness and happiness together create motivational momentum but too much of either (depression or euphoria) disable it.
Pain is a form of unhappiness - it comes in two forms - pain that builds you up and pain that tears you down. Chronic pain (depression) tends to tear you down. The Buddhist solution says that attachment (desire) causes suffering - be indiferent and you will cease to suffer. This is a form of outcome independance. It makes sense in situations where you cannot reasonably expect to improve your lot in life. But it would not inspire you to create and conquer. On the other hand there are many phases in creating and conquering where the dice are rolled and luck plays a massive part. This is where Zen and the Warrior intersect. The trick is how to cultivate maximal effort towards a goal whilst simultaneously being unaffected by failure or success (outcome independence). This raises the question about whether having mastered this you would still be able to enjoy the fruits. I would imagine that the solution lies in shifting focus onto the act of attainment (mindfulness) and deriving satisfaction, win or lose (it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it).
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