Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism

[robvalue]

Indeed, extremes are often unhealthy in some way. If you don't care about yourself at all, that is going to have negative consequences. If you don't care about others, the same thing. Most people manage a healthy compromise between the two.

I agree, empathy is a natural motivator. I am overwhelmingly encouraged to help people, because to do otherwise would be battling myself.

That's an interesting point that if you neglect yourself to an extreme in an effort to help others, you can end up indirectly hurting others because of their concern for you. So you haven't achieved exactly what you intended.