Constant pursuit of success - Psychologist explains dangers of such life scheme
The dangers of constant pursuit of success (photo: Freepik)
Modern people are programmed for success. Every day, we see stories on social media about others buying an apartment, starting a business, or realizing their biggest dream. Some people feel worthless because of this, so they constantly try to reach new heights, but at the same time, their own success never seems enough to them.
Psychologist Olha Holentovska tells about the dangers of constantly chasing success.
Double standards
It means that expectations for oneself are always higher than for others. People with this mindset believe that it is natural for a person to make mistakes, but they themselves do not have the right to make mistakes.
Selective attention
It means that people only notice the negative and devalue the positive. They think:
- everything you don't do has no chance because you can always do better
- it wasn't that hard
- anyone could do it
- it's a coincidence, just lucky
- if I can achieve it, it's not the limit - you need more complex goals
Overgeneralization
It means that one mistake or problem is on the way to achieving a goal and a person considers themselves a failure overall. Self-esteem is based only on achievements - the smallest mistake and a person perceives themselves as a failure.
Focus on obligations
It means that a person's belief that I should or I must do it are manifestation of strict rules for themselves. In the minds of such achievers, this is the key to success.
Such a person believes that:
- time should be spent only on beneficial activities
- if you don't push yourself, you won't succeed
- if you're already doing something, do it with a quality mark
- always improve and strive for perfection
Dramatization
It means that a person often has thoughts like what if suddenly... which leads to spinning negative scenarios that cause anxiety and fear: doing the same job and experiencing how everything will turn out.
Personalization
It means that such a person always takes full responsibility for events and outcomes. For example, when the boss said to everyone, you could have done better, and the person already thinks that they meant them.
This life scheme is very insidious: on the one hand, a person has a result, but they are not satisfied with it because standards are rising and they are forced to achieve them again.
