Our obsession with success is hurting us, says Stanford prof
Could our hunger for achievement be an addiction?
Our chase for achievement has a long-term negative impact on our well-being, according to a new study.
Emma Seppala at the Center for Altruism and Compassion Research and Education says we may be suffering from “successaholism”, a type of addiction that is even more dangerous because the student is praised and rewarded the harder they work on multiple things – so it never stops.
Most Stanford students are constantly looking to do more and achieve more, but Seppala says working too hard can lead to fatigue, damaged relationships, and a decrease in productivity.
Emma Seppala
She says: “Overachievers live off the fleeting high that comes from responding to that one extra email, getting that additional project out of the way, or checking one last thing off the to-do list.”
Stanford’s culture certainly rewards Herculean productivity and achievement, but next time you think you should take on that extra project on top of 20 units of classes and three student organizations, take a second to wonder why more work really is better.
By taking on fewer projects and giving your focus to those, not only could you produce higher quality work, but your mind and body will thank you.