The Disillusionments of Success

Jonathan Mator
3 min readFeb 5, 2023
Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash

A common misconception is that success is a predetermined, universal concept that is determined by social mores and individual preferences. It can, however, differ widely from person to person as it is a subjective and private pursuit. Many people follow self-help gurus’ advice blindly and get lost in their pursuit of success, only to wind up dissatisfied and disillusioned. This article will examine the limitations and myths surrounding success and show how altering our viewpoint can result in true contentment and pleasure. Let’s go!

The idea that success can only be gained through labor, wealth, power, and status has been ingrained in us by society for a long time. The phrase “Best Version Man,” and I don’t mean to sound sexist, is the result of what is frequently stated when the lords preach the gospel of success: this best version is actually a fictionalized version of oneself that represents the highest level of achievement. But a lifetime of disappointment and dissatisfaction can result from this lofty, unattainable goal.

We frequently ignore the significance of contentment and happiness in our pursuit of achievement. We lose touch with the present and those around us as we get too preoccupied with achieving our ambitions. This restricted mindset can lead to what I called the “Do or Die Syndrome,” in which success must be pursued at all costs, regardless of the effects on relationships, family, and reality.

The self-help industry has contributed to the myth of success by promising readers and listeners that they can become wealthy and successful via a predefined formula, and they are earning millions of dollars from these formulas that resemble sacred texts. The primary secret to happiness and contentment is commonly overlooked, and this kind of success is frequently fleeting and superficial. Success is a subjective and individualized concept that means different things to different individuals and is influenced by social norms, individual goals, and life experiences.

To make matters more difficult, society frequently defines success in terms of material possessions like money, fame, and power, encouraging us to assume that these things will make us happy. However, this constrained definition of success ignores the internal factors that genuinely contribute to a meaningful existence, such as personal growth, relationships, and a sense of purpose.

Understanding that success is a subjective and personal idea is crucial. Each person will have their own definition of success. The secret to success is to concentrate on what happiness and fulfillment mean to you and what makes you feel that way. True pleasure and contentment in life, regardless of external circumstances, can be attained by altering our viewpoint on success and placing a stronger emphasis on internal markers, such as personal development, relationships, and a sense of purpose.

It might be simple to lose sight of what is important in today’s fast-paced society. Maintaining focus and finding happiness in your own special way are the keys. Remember that pleasure and contentment in life can only be attained by appreciating those around us and living in the now. Success is a journey, not a destination. Remember the adage “what you chase, runs from you,” as striving for success when it is already within reach might result in dissatisfaction.

In the end, it’s critical to find contentment in the present and to avoid associating it with mediocrity. Success is a uniquely personal endeavor that should lead to happiness and fulfillment rather than disillusionment and frustration. We can learn what success means to us personally by shifting our perspective and concentrating on internal indications, which will enable us to live truly happy and fulfilled lives.

I hope I didn’t sound like some kind of contemporary guru. I shared with you the lessons I learned while reading self-help books and listening to corresponding podcasts. Those definitely weren’t my proudest moments, and I’m only speaking up to let you know.

Jah, bless each of us. By the way, Happy New Year! I hope you are doing well.

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Jonathan Mator

Whatever comes to mind, I write. I have strong opinions.