How can I avoid getting caught in the self-satisfaction trap?

Filed in archive Personal Development on May 4, 2007

This is a very insidious problem. Everybody from time to time feels a sense of satisfaction. I'm not suggesting that is wrong to feel a sense of satisfaction with your performance or career situation.

The purpose of this article is the draw attention to a few quirks of human psychology and performance that on the surface seemed innocent -- but they could be the beginning of complacency and ultimately failure.

Lets define performance. Think of performance like a wave in the ocean. As a wave gets closer to shore it begins to build momentum -- the CREST of the wave begins to break.

This is what it's like as we get close to achieving or attain that goal.

Performing and achieving goals is a lot like body surfing in the ocean. You have to swim really hard to get up enough speed to catch and ride the crest of the wave. Even when you are an experienced swimmer it still takes a lot of energy to -- just when you are starting to enjoy the ride -- the wave crashes on the beach. Your ride is over.

I think when we accomplish major milestones or goals that is exactly what happens -- suddenly you realize that your goal has been achieved and you find yourself resting on the beach.

At this very moment -- when you begin to realize you achieved your goal -- that is the best time to catch a new wave! Set a new set of goals! Make them more challenging and exciting. Then at the height of your achievement you press ahead for open water -- set new goals. Catch the next wave!

Setting ever increasing goals is the antidote for the self-satisfaction trap. Keep pressing ahead -- you will be surprised what you can achieve.