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Stop reading “10 ways to succeed at…” posts. Here’s why.
The dictionary defines success as “the achievement of a goal or purpose.” Sounds good, except our definition of success is somewhat warped. We unreasonably equate success with happiness. If we could only be successful, all our problems would go away (Hint: they won’t), and we’ll finally be happy. (Hint: we won’t) Our brains treat chasing success like a drug. We need more and more to keep the endorphins flowing, to get that minor hit that keeps us inching forward. But success is vague, usually too grandiose, often a milestone that eludes us like the proverbial carrot before the horse.
People have been chasing the “great American dream” for generations. We grow up putting billionaires, athletics and entertainment stars on a lofty pedestal. A pedestal far from our reach. Given our highly materialistic capitalist economy, it’s not surprising most people are caught in a competitive rat race few will ever “win.” And if we don’t win, we are a failure.
No wonder 70% of Americans report being unhappy most of the time, according to the General Social Survey.
Career or money-orientated definitions of success are the overwhelming driver of our lives. That’s why Americans are workaholics, why they have the worst work-life balance in the world, why they refuse to take PTO, and allow themselves to be…