Do you ever feel like you’re on a never-ending treadmill, chasing success and achievements but still ending up unsatisfied?
Well, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation, constantly striving for more but never quite reaching contentment. Let’s dive into why this happens and explore a surprising solution.
Imagine you’re working hard to achieve a promotion or a personal goal. You put in a lot of effort, and when you finally achieve it, you expect to feel happy and fulfilled. But here’s the catch: that feeling of contentment is often short-lived. Soon, you’re already thinking about the next goal, the next achievement. This pattern leaves you constantly chasing, but never really catching happiness.
Two Groups:
– Success Chasers
– Hedonistic Pursuers.
Psychiatrist Dr. K observed two types of people who faced this dilemma. One group he called the “success chasers.” These are the individuals who are always pushing for more, seeking promotions, higher income, and new accomplishments. They achieve their goals, but the happiness they expect to feel doesn’t stick around for long. Then there are the “hedonistic pursuers,” like avid gamers or thrill-seekers, who are constantly chasing enjoyable experiences. Despite having fun, they’re left unsatisfied and wanting more.
Common Thread – The Mind’s Reflex.
Despite seeming very different, these groups share a common problem: the mind’s reflex to move from one goal to the next without stopping to reflect. Dr. K realized that the standard advice of giving up desires or practicing mindfulness didn’t quite fit the bill for many of his patients. They didn’t want to give up their desires, but they also didn’t want to keep feeling unhappy despite their achievements.
The Brain’s Survival Mode.
Our brains are wired for survival, not constant happiness. This is why the joy we get from achievements is often short-lived. But here’s the twist: the feeling of never being satisfied actually has its advantages. People who are never content with their achievements tend to do better in life because that drive for improvement pushes them forward. The brain’s dissatisfaction is actually adaptive, helping us strive for more.
The Power of Pausing and Reflecting.
The key to finding lasting happiness lies in pausing between achievements and reflecting on our experiences. Dr. K discovered that both success chasers and hedonistic pursuers can benefit from this practice. By taking time to ask ourselves how we felt before, during, and after an experience, we can absorb important lessons. This practice breaks the cycle of constant chasing and allows our brains to learn from our experiences, leading to more genuine contentment.
Embracing a Balanced Approach.
So, what’s the takeaway? You don’t need to give up your ambitions or desires. Instead, create space between tasks or experiences. Pause and reflect on how you felt, what you learned, and how long your contentment lasted. This practice, borrowed from the teachings of yogic principles and agori Babas, helps you break free from the cycle of chasing and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Find Contentment by Pausing and Reflecting.
In a world that encourages us to keep moving, taking a moment to pause and reflect might seem counterintuitive. However, it’s this very practice that can liberate us from the treadmill of chasing success and unhappiness. Whether you’re a go-getter or an enjoyment-seeker, giving yourself the gift of reflection can lead to true, lasting contentment. So, the next time you achieve something, take a moment to look back and learn, and you might just find the happiness you’ve been chasing all along.
