The Overachievement Trap
If you’re like me, you’ve probably been led to believe that happiness is a reward for hard work. You’ve been told that if you achieve enough—land the dream job, buy the right house, get the relationship you want—then happiness will follow. But here’s what I realized: happiness isn’t something you earn through accomplishments. It’s not a destination, nor a prize you win. The more I chased it, the further it seemed to slip away.
I call this the “Overachievement Trap”: that belief that happiness is contingent upon crossing off life’s checkboxes. I was constantly working harder, achieving more, and yet I wasn’t feeling any happier. The pressure to be “perfect” made me lose sight of something important: happiness isn’t a goal—it’s an experience.
