Article: ‘Is This It?’ When Success Isn’t Satisfying
"Sometimes, getting the thing is just as delicious as we imagine. Other times, we climb and climb, only to be underwhelmed by what we find at the top: more work, political wrangling, the feeling of being a fraud. Or the success high wears off fast, replaced by that old panic we hoped the accomplishment would finally cure. Then we wonder: Where’s the next win?
We’re all sprinting on what psychologists call a hedonic treadmill. That is, we might get a hit of joy when we achieve something, but we eventually return to our baseline level of happiness (or unhappiness). Whatever heights we reach, we’re still, well, us.
Studying the antecedents of happiness among hundreds of participants in the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Dr. Waldinger found people acclimate to the trappings of achievement—including plump paychecks—swiftly.
“The corner office just becomes the place you go and do your work after a while,” he says. “The shine wears off.”
Lasting happiness results from wins that foster deep relationships and are imbued with meaning—some bigger payoff beyond your salary. Think work that affects clients’ lives or bonds your team together. When asked to share what they were most proud of, many of the octogenarians in the Harvard study talked about being a good leader or a helpful mentor, Dr. Waldinger says.
“Just because it’s unfamiliar doesn’t mean that you’re a fraud,” she says. Try to reframe the discomfort as positive, a cue that you’ve entered a new stage in your career. Collect thank-you notes and records of your wins along the way, so you can pull them out when you’re feeling shaky."
Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal
✨Takeaway: Success does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment. People who are successful can still feel empty or dissatisfied. Finding meaning in one's work or personal life can lead to greater satisfaction.
✨Reflection: How do you embrace and celebrate your successes?
#Work #Life #Career #Success #Fulfillment #Goals
@innateJoy9602
Aww I'm unfortunately one of these people who don't really let themselves honor or celebrate personal successes or achievements, so celebrations don't even come to play, when there's no acknowledgement for the same to begin with. :')
Trying to work on it slow hehe! Reminders like these help a lot. *hugs Joy* 💜
How are you celebrating your fantabulous self usually?💜
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Aww oh no.
I'll celebrate for you, for being a role model across the whole community and constantly bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Your hard work never goes unnoticed Sun!💜💜
I usually celebrate with food :p💜
@innateJoy9602
Just Joy being as amazing as always! 🥺💜 *celebrates youuu* and I so agree haha, Everything with food is better! XD what's your go-to food to celebrate with? Imma go with pizzzaaa!🍕🥰
@innateJoy9602 I can relate to this very much. Sometimes it feels like I will never make as big as impact on the world as I'd like to, no matter how hard I try or how high up the ladder I go. It's nice to know that it's okay to just be with family and friends and just enjoy being human for a little bit :)