Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves chasing success. Whether it’s through late-night study sessions to earn a degree, mastering a trade, building a business, or writing a book, we are constantly on the move, with little time to spare. The common belief is that hard work is inherently challenging, and we accept this as part of the journey. We eagerly anticipate the day we reach our goals, expecting a wave of relief and satisfaction to wash over us.
After years of dedication and effort, the moment of achievement finally arrives. The book is complete, the business is sold, and the degree certificate is proudly displayed. Friends and family celebrate our success, and we might even treat ourselves to a vacation. Yet, for many, this is when a profound unease sets in. Despite the beautiful surroundings, we may feel flat, disoriented, and even tearful. Why does this happen?
Our minds have a peculiar way of functioning. To motivate us to complete tasks, they promise us contentment once the work is done. We believe that we will finally be at peace, free from restless thoughts and guilty feelings. However, this promise is rarely fulfilled. Our minds are not naturally inclined towards calm and relaxation. After a brief respite, they return with worries and questions, challenging us to justify our existence and worth.
Once the hard work ends, our melancholy minds lead us to the edge of an existential abyss. We begin to doubt whether any achievement will ever be enough, whether anything we do truly matters. We feel burdened by a primordial guilt simply for being alive, and we perceive others as more noble and capable. The blue sky becomes oppressive, and doing nothing feels like the hardest task of all. It’s as if our minds are aware of the ultimate fate of the universe and the futility of our actions against the backdrop of cosmological time and space.
In reality, our busyness has shielded us from despair. Deadlines, schedules, work trips, and late-night conference calls have kept existential terror at bay. With our achievements secured, we find ourselves defenseless against the vastness of the universe and our metaphysical irrelevance. There are no more meetings or deadlines to distract us from these thoughts.
To combat this existential dread, we must be kinder to ourselves. Instead of subjecting ourselves to the demanding process of idleness, we should practice self-compassion by setting new, albeit slightly irrelevant, challenges. These tasks, though seemingly insignificant, can provide a sense of purpose and keep existential anxiety at bay. It’s crucial to avoid leaving sizable gaps between these challenges, as our work serves as a protective barrier against despair.
Our work exists not just for achievement but as a defense against anxiety and despair. To maintain our mental well-being, we should ensure that we always have tasks to engage with. Avoiding the reckless moves of retirement or extended holidays can help us stay grounded and focused.
To think more effectively and optimize our minds for fulfillment, we must cultivate insights and ideas that align with our potential and contentment. This involves understanding the workings of our minds and finding ways to achieve the satisfaction we deserve.
In conclusion, while achievement is a significant part of our lives, it is essential to recognize the paradox it presents. By understanding the workings of our minds and embracing continuous engagement, we can navigate the complexities of success and find true contentment.
Take some time to write a reflective journal entry about a recent achievement in your life. Describe your feelings before, during, and after reaching this goal. Consider whether you experienced any existential dread or unease following your success. Reflect on how this aligns with the concepts discussed in the article.
Participate in a group discussion with your peers about the paradox of achievement. Share personal experiences and explore how success has impacted your mental well-being. Discuss strategies for embracing self-compassion and continuous engagement to combat existential dread.
Attend a mindfulness workshop to learn techniques for staying present and managing existential anxiety. Practice mindfulness exercises that can help you cultivate self-compassion and maintain a sense of purpose, even during periods of idleness.
Engage in a creative project that challenges you in a new way. This could be writing a short story, painting, or learning a musical instrument. Focus on the process rather than the outcome, and observe how this activity affects your sense of fulfillment and existential anxiety.
Attend a guest lecture series featuring speakers who have navigated the paradox of achievement in their own lives. Listen to their stories and insights, and participate in Q&A sessions to deepen your understanding of how continuous engagement can lead to fulfillment.
Achievement – The successful attainment of a goal, often used in the context of personal development and self-actualization in psychology. – In the realm of existential psychology, achievement is seen as a crucial component of self-fulfillment and personal growth.
Existential – Relating to human existence or the experience of being, often associated with questions about the meaning and purpose of life. – Existential philosophers like Sartre and Camus explore the inherent freedom and responsibility of individuals to create meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Anxiety – A psychological state characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, often about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. – Kierkegaard described anxiety as the dizziness of freedom, highlighting its role in existential thought as a precursor to personal growth.
Self-compassion – The practice of being kind and understanding toward oneself in instances of pain or failure, rather than being harshly self-critical. – In psychological studies, self-compassion has been linked to greater emotional resilience and well-being.
Fulfillment – A sense of satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one’s abilities or character. – Many existentialists argue that true fulfillment comes from living authentically and embracing one’s freedom and responsibility.
Despair – A profound sense of hopelessness and the belief that life lacks meaning or purpose. – In existential philosophy, despair is often seen as a natural response to the realization of life’s inherent absurdity.
Purpose – The reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists, often considered a fundamental aspect of human life in philosophical discourse. – Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy emphasizes the importance of finding purpose as a way to overcome existential despair.
Mind – The element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought. – Philosophers like Descartes have long debated the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body.
Work – In a philosophical context, work refers to the effort directed toward producing or accomplishing something, often seen as a means of self-expression and fulfillment. – Marxist theory critiques the alienation of individuals from their work in capitalist societies, arguing for a more meaningful engagement with labor.
Engagement – The act of being involved or committed to an activity, often discussed in psychology as a state of flow where individuals are fully immersed and focused. – Positive psychology research suggests that engagement in meaningful activities is a key component of overall well-being.
