From time to time, most of us would like to improve ourselves, accomplish more and reach higher levels of attainment. Being ambitious, aspiring and striving for more is of course positive, especially for the level of success you may desire in your life. Many of us will look to push ourselves, step out of our comfort zones and make fresh progress. We need not look any further than in the hustle and bustle of the city!
However, we are constantly reminded that too much of something (an addiction) can also be a bad thing. The mind can very easily be consumed by this state of addiction. The need and desire to constantly be ambitious, aspiring and striving. To continually be pushing for more and more success. We are falsely led to believe that we will be more content, satisfied and fulfilled when we have achieved the next thing - be it a promotion, a new project to focus on or more earning power.
The reality, more often than not, is once the next thing has been achieved, what has just been accomplished has failed to give you the contentment that was sought. When the realisation takes hold that the "next best thing" was not enough, worry and fixation kick in about what the next goal should be. The cycle repeats over and over again, year after year. The addiction to always want more and desire more feels like it is never ending. This leaves a feeling of being constantly stressed and burnt out in the process. Leaving dissatisfaction and being unfulfilled on a day to day basis. The greatest impact of this state of mind is that it spills over and affects other areas of our lives. So what is the answer and what steps can be taken to overcome some of this?
It is important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, not only in our professional arena but also in all other facets of our lives.
Developing a mindset
We need to develop our mindset to enjoy and appreciate what we already have, both professionally and personally and know that we can never have enough and there will always be things that we would like or need more of. This is easier said than done, I hear you say, and with most things adopting a new mindset is an art. It is a skill that has to be mastered and comes from practising it as much as possible. A new mindset is something that you can develop through the following:
Celebrate your successes
We have to remind ourselves on a regular basis to take a step back, pause and reflect. Take time out. Make it a habit to remind yourself of what you have already achieved. Engage in a sense of celebration on what has been accomplished in your life. It is much easier for our brains to think of what we need to achieve. Our brains have been conditioned that way for years and even decades. It is not going to stop thinking a certain way overnight. Right now, it may seem much easier and less effort for us to slip back into our familiar ways and carry on and focus on the next thing like we have always been doing. Yes of course it requires much more effort to try to change and work on yourself and your mindset, but think of the end result! You can become more CONTENT, SATISFIED and FULFILLED in the long run by changing your thinking and beliefs.
Self Awareness
The biggest step by far, is awareness, once you bring awareness to the forefront of what you want to achieve, you can start to work on your mindset. It becomes easier just like any other positive habit. When you do this regularly you will feel more content on a day to day basis.
Not only will you feel more content but you can then be selective and focus on the kind of ambition, attainment and striving that has a real and meaningful purpose. Not just achieving the next thing out of habit and for the sake of it. When we focus on this, it leaves us feeling empty and dissatisfied at worse or at best leaves us feeling indifferent and wanting more again.
So approach your "next thing" knowingly, selectively and with purpose. Once you achieve it then make sure you celebrate it. Pat yourself on the back so that it leaves you with a sense of peace, satisfaction and contentment!
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