The Cost of Your Addiction to Work, Success and Wealth

Many high performers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals find themselves grappling with a unique kind of addiction: work.

This addiction often goes unrecognized because it’s productive and doesn't fit the traditional definition of an addiction.

People seldom label someone who works tirelessly, especially if they're successful entrepreneurs/wealth creator as having an issue.

Work, particularly in creative and entrepreneurial fields, can bring immense satisfaction.

However, the underlying motivation for this relentless pursuit often stems from a deeper psychological need.

Many high performers are driven by a desire for love, but what they often receive is adulation.

This adulation is like a cup with a hole – it provides temporary fulfillment but eventually leaves you empty, prompting an endless cycle of thirsting for more.

The problem escalates as you find yourself needing to achieve greater heights to experience the same level of satisfaction or recognition.

It’s a common trait among high achievers, wealth creators, and entrepreneurs, many of whom may have felt like outsiders or sought to challenge authority in their past.

They desire to be loved and recognized for their talents.

Understanding the root of this drive is crucial.

It's not about diminishing your achievements or capabilities, but about recognizing the origins of your motivations.

Once you understand this, you can start to develop a healthier relationship with your work, your wealth and your success.

This realization leads to a shift in motivation.

Your drive becomes more intrinsic rather than being extrinsically motivated by success, wealth, or the need to feel a certain way.

Additional success or wealth won't necessarily enhance your sense of fulfillment, as you’ve likely realized that massive financial success hasn’t fundamentally changed how you feel.

Initially, the novelty and distraction of success and status may boost happiness.

But eventually, you adapt to these new circumstances, and the euphoria fades, often reverting you back to your pre-success emotional state.

You’re not worse off, but not necessarily better either.

This is where our work begins.

Life's essence isn’t just about climbing the ladder only to realize you haven’t climbed as high as you thought.

Happiness and fulfillment were always within you, even before embarking on your journey of success, wealth, and status.

What is often most needed is purpose, great health, and strong relationships – with the latter frequently taken for granted.

From my experience coaching U/HNWI and High Performers, nurturing and valuing these relationships is key to finding true fulfillment, happiness and harmony beyond your bank account.