Broadcaster Jake Humphrey says 80 percent of the high achieving, high performing individuals he interviews are unhappy.
High achievement brings praise and status in society and its messaging is woven into the fabric of popular culture – Work harder. Do more. Better never stops.
Ambition isn’t a problem but when success and high achievement become the only source of value, purpose and self worth, the finish line just keeps moving and happiness stays out of reach.
Why Slowing Down Feels So Difficult
For some people, slowing down would mean confronting parts of themselves and their lives they’ve literally worked so hard to avoid.
That prospect can feel too overwhelming, making happiness and contentment feel even more out of reach.
I’ve lost count of the number of people in their 40, 50s, 60s, even 70s, who have starting counselling and through time said to me, “I wish I had started therapy earlier.”
Because for those who do insert space in life to confront their internal struggles and uncomfortable truths, it’s very often started a journey towards a more consistently rewarding, happier life.
And in the words of Carl Jung, the privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are – free from the weight of societal expectation and pressures.
Perhaps achievement should be more aligned to this and less about what we materially accomplish.
Jake Humphrey on high performing individuals
Counselling support
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Key takeaway
Many high achievers feel unhappy because their sense of self-worth becomes tied to success.
When achievement is their primary source of validation, the goalposts keep moving, making lasting fulfilment difficult to reach.
Understanding and accepting this can started a journey towards a more authentic, rewarding way of living.
The Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes High Performance podcast can be watched, here