3 Reasons Why We Are Never Satisfied

Like many others, I often undervalue my accomplishments. I overlook my achievements and put them off as minuscule things that don't warrant a celebration. What I do and what I accomplish ends up becoming just another thing on my list. I never feel that what I do is enough, and so, I continue to crave for more. I find a new goal, I chase after it, I achieve it, and then what? 

I still don't feel a sense of satisfaction. I still want more. 

Why is that? 

1. Setting Expectations Too High
I can't help but be a dreamer and an idealist. I constantly envision possibilities for the future. I expect things to turn out a certain way and when they don't, I become disappointed. I build this carefully crafted idea of what I hope would happen and I'm left disappointed when reality doesn't meet my expectations.

2. The Journey Is the Reward
It's exhilarating to work towards something and not know how things will pan out. Whether it is staying up late at night, sacrificing my social life, not eating, and endlessly working at whatever it is I want, I commit myself fully to the cause. I thrive off this high-pressure lifestyle, and so, upon actualizing my goal I am suddenly at a plateau and no longer climbing towards the peak. I ask myself, what do I do now that I'm there? 

3. Becoming Used to It
When you work at something every single day, it starts to become familiar. We're one step closer to getting to where we want to be as the days pass. So, when we make that final jump over to where we want to be, it doesn't seem that significant anymore. I was just there yesterday and now I'm here. Not much of a difference, right? 

How might you change this? 

It is important to not have such vivid expectations to the point where you begin to live out this fantasy world in your head. Expectations can serve as a guideline as you chase after your goals, but don't let it consume you to the point where it becomes the only outcome. 

Understand that your journey is never finished because you've attained the goal. It is just one stop that is part of your destination. Allow yourself to embrace and bask in all your hard work. You've earned it.

Reflect on your accomplishments in either a journal or blog. This helps you see how far you've come since you first embarked on your goal. Your growth might not be immediately evident, but after time reflecting it will become clearer.

Although hard, I'm beginning to celebrate my accomplishments more and believe you should too.