THE SUCCESS SYNDROME
After writing Risks of High Achievement, I wondered about the Success Syndrome in Silicon Valley where I have my practice.
After years of achieving success, many individuals have developed a certain way of life; that is, rigid and narrow upward tunnel. There is no tolerance for alternative perspectives in “failure”, “frustration”, or even “annoying inconvenience.”
People sometimes use mental illness to describe people who committed suicide but truthfully, it may not be mental illnesses that drive successful people to an early death.
The causes of suicide may sometimes be a lack of basic rational thoughts, reasonable self-expectation, or personal permission to shift rigid perspectives, such as consulting a professional, talking about it or writing it down on a piece of paper.
MY STORY
When I was in graduate school working on my advance degree, I had no time for anything except studying piles and piles of books and writing endless research papers day and night. I always considered cooking and daily chores as annoying obstacles on my path to achieve my doctoral degree. Until one day, I opened the kitchen cabinet and observed my roommate’s dish arrangement. I was shocked to realize that pots/pans/dishes can be arranged in a spacious way instead of just piling them up like books and papers, which was how I always did.
After I finished my doctoral degree, I found the bathroom dirty and would like to clean it but I did not know how. I picked up the phone and called my friend who is the wife of a professor and she was laughing loudly on the phone and said to me that “I cannot believe that you can get a doctoral degree but you did not even know what tool to use to clean a toilet.” I also called another friend one day and asked her how to use a vacuum cleaner. The list goes on and on.
Some simple things for others may not be so simple for another. When successful people devote all their attention and resources unto a specific goals, they may become idiots in other simple tasks.
Sometimes, you just have to stop focusing and working so hard on your “failure” and observe a little child how to play and how to be happy with a scoop of ice cream.
SO, A FEW THOUGHTS
It is just that simple.
- Is it worth committing suicide for failing in cleaning a toilet?
- Is it worth committing suicide for a dusty award or someone’s nasty criticism?
Dr. Trudy welcomes any question and comment regarding your perspective in living a happier life.
Bio:
Dr. Trudy Hu is a psychiatric expert and a clinical psychologist who specializes in brain functions, bio-psycho-social organic and humorous approaches in treatment and psychiatric medication consultation and coordination for 30 years.
Website: DrTrudy.com