Will Anyone Truly Win?
People chase big dreams like winning a championship, landing a top job, or building a fortune. They picture crossing the finish line and feeling complete joy forever. But here’s the catch: that moment of victory often feels empty. NBA star Paul Allen won it all, yet he said he felt hollow afterward. He learned you carry the same self into success. If you’re not happy with who you are now, a trophy or promotion won’t fix it. As Brad Stulberg explains in his article on goals, read it here, true change comes from who you become while chasing the goal, not from grabbing it.
Psychologists call this the arrival fallacy. You think, “If I just hit this target, then I’ll be set.” Tal Ben-Shahar, who named it, says research shows a quick happiness boost after winning, but it fades fast. Your brain is wired to keep striving, not to rest. Goals matter because they shape you. Pick ones that match your core values, like helping others or growing skills, and the journey builds real strength.
Still, human limits exist. You might not snag an Olympic gold at age 50 with zero training. But potential runs deep. Start now, and you could finish a marathon under four hours, inspiring everyone around you. The site on human potential puts it plain: anyone can achieve meaningful wins in life’s game. Check their take here. Don’t let doubters cap your possibilities. Say “I can make it” instead of waiting for guarantees. Odds are real, but hope fuels action.
Power plays a role too. Real winners build it from inner confidence, not by scaring others. Studies show they persist longer on tasks and even win elections with deeper voices, like leaders who trained theirs to command respect. Science of People breaks down eight laws of power here. They decide yes or no based on long-term fit: Does it aid your bigger aims? Say no to distractions that drain you.
In the end, winning isn’t a single score. It’s the person you grow into along the way, pushing limits with smart choices.
Sources
https://bradstulberg.substack.com/p/everything-you-need-to-know-about
https://i.gy/human-potential/
https://www.scienceofpeople.com/how-to-get-power/
