Psychologist Decodes 5 Reasons Why High Achievers Struggle To Celebrate Their Success

High achievers need to slow down, reflect, and let themselves feel the weight of their wins says a psychologist!

From the outside, high achievers seem to have it all, they’re ticking off goals, collecting accolades, and living the dream, right? But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a surprising truth: many of them just can’t enjoy their success. They’re climbing a ladder that seems to stretch into infinity, and instead of stopping to enjoy the view, they’re already squinting up at the next rung. Why is this so common? Turns out, it’s not just a them problem, it’s psychology at work. To help better understand this phenomenon we reached out to, Dr. Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist and life coach and here’s what she had to say,

1) The What’s Next? Mentality

For high achievers, life often feels like an endless to-do list. The moment they cross something off, be it landing that dream job, scoring a promotion, or winning an award, they’re already onto the next thing. It’s like they’re stuck on a mental treadmill, always moving but never actually arriving. Achievements become checkpoints, not destinations, and instead of celebrating, they feel restless. There’s no time to pause because, in their minds, there’s always more to be done.

2) Who Am I Without the Hustle?

Success can create a mini identity crisis. High achievers tend to define themselves by what they’re working toward. The pursuit gives them purpose, so when they actually achieve something, they’re left wondering, What now? It’s not just about setting new goals; it’s about figuring out who they are when they’re not chasing something. The idea of just being feels foreign, almost scary.

3) The Thrill Fades Fast

Have you ever listened to a song so many times that it stopped giving you chills? That’s what success can feel like for high achievers. Psychologists call it desensitization. The brain’s reward system gets used to those “winning” moments, and suddenly, the thing that once felt like a huge deal becomes meh. The joy fades faster with each new win, leaving them chasing bigger and bigger milestones just to feel something.

4) Living in Fear of Losing It All

This one hits hard: many high achievers live in constant fear of their success disappearing. They’re always looking over their shoulders, worried they’ll mess up or that someone else will surpass them. Instead of soaking in their wins, they’re stuck in “defense mode,” ready to protect their status at any cost. It’s exhausting and leaves zero room for joy.

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5) I Don’t Deserve This Energy

Finally, there’s this weird thing called worthiness disconnect. Even when high achievers succeed, a part of them feels like it happened by luck or circumstance, not because they genuinely earned it. It’s like imposter syndrome but supercharged, they can’t emotionally connect with their achievements because deep down, they’re questioning if they deserve them.

So, what’s the fix? The trick isn’t achieving more it’s learning to celebrate what’s already there. High achievers need to slow down, reflect, and let themselves feel the weight of their wins. Life’s not just about climbing the ladder; sometimes, it’s about stopping to enjoy the view. like when Rajesh Khanna in Anand said, Zindagi Lambi Nhi Badi Honi Chahiye. 

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First Published: January 20, 2025 2:49 PM