How to Manage the Intoxication of Success
by David Krueger,
Published on this site: February 16th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
On a person's quest for success it can sometimes be difficult
to deal with major victories and triumphs. While that may
seem like an odd statement the fact is many people are not
prepared for huge success, even if they see it coming all
along.
Look at it this way - if a frog were placed in boiling hot
water, it would immediately jump out and survive. If however,
the frog were put in cold water and the temperature were to
rise gradually one degree at a time over a long period of
time, the frog would ultimately die because of not perceiving
the water as hot. Gradual success can be just as sinister.
Too Much Too Fast
The pursuit of success can be just as dangerous and therefore
can lead to 'success intoxication'. Simply put success intoxications
is getting too much too fast.
Think about it like this: With the increasing stimulation
of success, the demand on energy escalates; The amount of
time at work increases; It's hard to relax because excess
is invigorating; Self-esteem is inflated because of the constant
affirmation.
Beyond that, the metrics of success exaggerate in terms of
money, accolades, and accomplishments. After all, once you've
achieved so much in such little time, wouldn't it be natural
to want more the next time?
The inherent problem with quick success is the fact that
each single increment is justifiable and blurs the big picture.
In the case of the frog in water, every time the temperature
increases by a degree, the frog probably won't even notice.
When the heat finally does become apparent, it will be too
late.
The pattern is so gradual that it isn't noticed until perhaps
some profound event brings it into focus. A crisis may occur
in your personal or professional life, such as a layoff, a
business closure, a health emergency, or a life-changing event
such as death or divorce.
Pivotal Questions
To prevent success intoxication, ask yourself these seven
questions:
- What is the finish line?
Do you have a set goal in mind, or are you just trying to
see how far you can get before you collapse? As funny as
that may sound, many people don't envision an end. While
you don't ever need to stop entirely, it would be wise to
set an objective for each task.
- Who do you want to be when you cross it?
Following up to the last point, how will reaching this objective
change you? Surely it will affect you in some way, be it
financially, physically, emotionally, etc.
- What is enough?
Will there come a time when you are happy with what you
have? Again, you should never stop aspiring, but you should
be content at some point.
- How will you know when you have enough?
This is a very important question to answer for one simple
reason - in the heat of moment, you won't be able to. Decide
in advance what you want so that when you get there, you'll
know when to relax.
- What are your specific metrics for success?
There is no right or wrong, but there is such a thing as
consistency. Set your own metrics for success and stick
to them.
- How much of your identity is determined by these external
benchmarks of success?
This is a very telling question and one that you should
put thought into. While success certainly raises your confidence
and morale, does it truly define you as a person?
- Your Mission
The intoxication of success makes it harder to regulate
emotions and to stay grounded in values and identity. When
someone has exceptional qualities, such as athletic ability,
beauty, intellect, or wealth, these can become defining
- they can also eclipse other aspects. For example, a remarkable
athlete or entrepreneur can get so enmeshed in a pursuit
that he/she gets lost - the quest becomes an identity.
To combat this, I recommend creating a personal mission statement.
Your mission statement summarizes your philosophy, goals,
and strategies - basically what you are all about. As you
create your personal mission statement, consider these 6 principles:
- Keep your values in focus so success doesn't compromise
them
- Outline your basic needs so they aren't subjugated to
the pursuit of success
- Understand that "more" is not a goal - if it
is, get more specific
- Define what "good enough" is ("the best"
is not an answer - get more specific)
- Design short-term, measurable goals to validate your
progress
- Use, invest, and refurbish your energy based on your
mission statement
Success is something we are all looking for in one form or
another. Chasing it can be exhilarating and fulfilling. Just
make sure you can control yourself - intoxication is no fun
when you have no way out.
David Krueger, MD (http://www.mentorpath.com)
is the former Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Baylor College
of Medicine where he practiced and taught Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis.
He is author of 12 books and founded and served as CEO of
two healthcare corporations. Dr. Krueger is now the Dean of
Curriculum and Lead Mentor for Coach Training Alliance where
he teaches the Certified Coach Program for Health Care Specialists
(http://www.coachtrainingalliance.com/health).
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