Success ≠ Satisfaction
Today, let's dive into a thought-provoking article recently published by Harvard Business Review that challenges our traditional notions of fulfillment in the professional world.
So picture this: It's the end of the year, and you're sitting down with a high-flying executive client named Logan for a little reflection sesh. Logan, despite ticking off nearly all of his goals for the year, drops a bombshell: he's only "almost happy." What gives? Well, turns out he's fixated on one measly goal he didn't quite nail, completely overshadowing his slew of successes. Sound familiar?
Logan's not alone in this struggle. Studies show that many successful folks battle with enjoying their victories. In fact, a whopping 72% of successful entrepreneurs deal with depression or other mental health issues. Yikes, right?
Enter Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks, who's been digging into this whole success-satisfaction conundrum for years. He's got some real talk for us: when we tie our happiness to achievements, wealth, and fame, we're setting ourselves up for a serious case of the blues. It's like we become these cardboard cutouts chasing after some elusive idea of "success," while real joy and connection slip through our fingers.
But wait, there's more! Our brains are in on the game too. That little neurotransmitter called dopamine? Yeah, it's the culprit behind our relentless pursuit of goals. Problem is, that pleasure high it gives us? It's fleeting. Cue the never-ending cycle of chasing after the next big thing.
So, what's the solution? Well, according to the article, it's time for a mindset makeover. Instead of seeing satisfaction as a byproduct of achievements, we need to treat it like a skill we can learn. Imagine if Logan had started his year with a focus on moments of joy and connection rather than just hitting goals. It's a game-changer, right?
The article goes on to offer some practical tips for recalibrating our "enoughness" gauges. We're talking reevaluating our relationship with money, achievement, and recognition. It's all about asking the tough questions and shifting our focus from comparison to compassion, from counting to contribution, and from contempt to connection.
Sure, it's easier said than done. Breaking free from society's success-obsessed norms is no walk in the park. But hey, Logan and his coach are giving it a shot, and so can we!
So, here's the bottom line: Success doesn't automatically equal satisfaction. It's time to flip the script, prioritize what truly matters, and embrace those everyday moments of joy and connection. Who's with me? Let's rewrite the rules and find our own path to lasting fulfillment!
Feel free to read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2023/01/why-success-doesnt-lead-to-satisfaction
