Stop Feeling Like a Failure! Happiness Isn't About Achievements

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have been scammed.

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You’ve spent years climbing the corporate ladder, sacrificing nights and weekends, dreaming of that promotion and the happiness it supposedly brings.

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Finally, you get it.

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However, the joy feels hollow and fleeting, akin to a cheap imitation of the promises made.

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Why?

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This is because society has spun a web of lies.

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They told you that the high achievers, the ones with the biggest houses and fanciest cars, are the ones who deserve happiness.

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But the truth is terrifying: chasing achievements might be making you miserable.

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This isn't fear-mongering; it's a wake-up call.

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Happiness isn't a prize for the lucky few; it's your birthright.

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You literally inherited happiness from birth.

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But your conditioning has led you to believe it is just out of reach, trapping you in a never-ending cycle of striving.

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Now, I’m not saying being a high achiever is inherently wrong.

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I mean, I work hard every day because I’m fully committed to my purpose.

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And achievements?

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They are a byproduct of all the hard work I put in.

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However, the achievement itself is not the prize.

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Fulfilling my purpose is the prize.

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Let's face it, chasing happiness can feel like chasing a mirage in the desert.

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The harder you strive for that dream car, that promotion, and that perfect life everyone on Instagram seems to have, the further it seems to recede.

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But what if I told you that happiness isn't a destination but a way of being?

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The Power of Inner Joy

Think back to your childhood.

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Do you recall the pure, unadulterated joy of transforming a simple cardboard box into a spaceship, a pirate ship, or a magical portal to another world?

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I remember the exhilarating feeling I felt when I was a young boy in Lagos City, either riding a bike or playing football (soccer) with friends.

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I also recall the enjoyable times I spent playing hide-and-seek with my friends.

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I wasn’t thinking about money, fancy things, or high achievements.

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I just loved to do the things that I enjoyed doing.

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Those days, physical activity was everything to me, but as I grew up into adulthood, things started to change.

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My mindset started focusing on more important things, like responsibilities and success in my academics and in life as a whole.

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The higher my grades, the better treatment I received at home and even with my fellow classmates.

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At this time, having good grades was everything.

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It was common practice for Nigerian parents to brag about how well their kids performed in school.

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When we were teenagers, adults frequently asked us, "What do you want to become in the future?"

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We all had our canned answers ready whenever any adults asked us a question.

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And I’m sure you already guessed what the answers were: lawyers, doctors, engineers, professors, nurses, etc.

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Achievements slowly became the cornerstone of success.

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We started to recognize those kids who were picked up in flashy cars, especially those who traveled the world with their parents on fancy holidays.

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Those rich kids always had the best stories.

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I wouldn’t lie; that’s when I first recognized I had some jealousy in me.

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I truly believed that to be happy, I needed to be wealthy.

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I’m not a multi-millionaire yet, but I have made some money, bought expensive designer clothes, driven expensive cars, drank expensive champagne, and traveled to beautiful cities.

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But did that give me real, lasting happiness?

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Nope.

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Don’t get me wrong; it was a lot of fun and still is, but all that is fleeting.

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That's because true happiness is an inherent state of being, like our natural ability to have fun without needing expensive toys.

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Happiness: More Than Possessions

Here's the thing: happiness is your natural state—less like a pair of designer shoes you can buy and more like your teeth.

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You brush them regularly to maintain good health, but you don't spend your day obsessing over them.

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However, when you do have a throbbing toothache?

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Suddenly, your teeth are all you can think about.

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You don’t know you’re not happy until life throws curveballs—illness, loss, setbacks.

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But just like a toothache doesn't define your dental health, these challenges don't define your happiness.

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Countless people facing immense difficulties discover pockets of joy by focusing on what they have, not what they lack.

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I recently saw a video on Instagram of low-income families in Lagos living in makeshift homes beneath the bridge, and there are rumors that these less fortunate people must pay $200 in rent annually to do so.

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These people live in abject poverty, yet they still smile and live life with hope and zero traces depression.

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That’s wild!

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Happiness for the Go-Getter

For the go-getters and hustlers out there, take a listen: happiness isn't a reward at the end of the success tunnel.

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You can be happy setting audacious goals, chasing them with relentless drive, and even if the outcome isn't exactly what you envisioned.

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It's all a choice, completely yours to make.

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Deals fall through?

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No problem; life goes on.

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Did you lose a loved one?

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You miss them, and you’re sad for a while, but life goes on.

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Did you miss out on a well-deserved promotion?

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No problem at all.

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You’ll probably find another company that appreciates you and what you bring to the table.

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No matter what life throws at you, you are not totally handicapped.

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You still have a say in the way that you respond.

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If you were given the choice to have a billion dollars, and all you’re allowed to do with that money is buy houses, cars, food, and travel the world, sure, it will sound like fun for the first few years but you’ll get depressed..

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Why?

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Because it lacks purpose.

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And we were put on this earth for more than just money making.

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Cultivating Your Inner Sunshine

So discard the relentless pursuit of that ever-elusive rainbow.

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Happiness is already within you.

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It's about cultivating and nurturing it.

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Here are your secret weapons:

• Gratitude is a fertilizer for happiness. Take a few minutes each day to appreciate the good stuff in your life, from your morning coffee to the laughter of loved ones.

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• Helping others is a happiness superpower.?Volunteer your time, donate to a cause you care about, or simply offer a listening ear.

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• Practice self-care because it's a necessity.?Prioritize enough sleep, healthy eating, and activities that fill your cup and recharge your spirit.

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• Embrace the present moment.?Mindfulness practices like meditation can help you savor the here and now, the true source of joy.

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So, stop chasing shadows.

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Happiness is already yours.

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Now go forth, uncover your inner sunshine, and light up the world around you!

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This is Christopher Njokanma, signing off.

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Every week, I stay committed to providing value for you. Remember, my daring reader, to Like, Comment, and Share this article, for it might be the boost someone needs to stay happy no matter the circumstance. Stay tuned for more awe-inspiring insights and discoveries in the captivating world of unconventional success.

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Christopher is the President @ Cloud 98 - We power your brand's growth by harmonizing content and conversion.