The gap between achievement and happiness

The gap between achievement and happiness is about a lack of conscious awareness of one’s internal world, and skillful change. People who like the intense but fleeting feelings that follow achievement may not have a strong, resilient sense of self. 

They chase that  brief moment of joy, and then lose sight of who they are becoming. Soon enough, high and serial achievers may evolve into someone they don’t recognize. 

Burn out, exhaustion, isolation, and feeling misunderstood accumulate from the chase as the gap of their emotional experience versus their material success widens. 

Here are some ideas to help, if you identify with the above: 

Develop a stronger sense of self

Our sense of self evolves as we move through life. This is developmental. Anchoring into your values, purpose and faith is a great way to resource your growth. Focusing in and reinforcing what truly matters in life as part of goal setting will help you develop confidence in strengths you have and feel less tied to the deficiencies our inner critic loves to point out. Being meh about the “shoulds” will help you move out of obligation toward a more reality based way to move through your work goals, relationships and love, in general. 

Ritualize balance

Create mindful pauses to nurture and care for your body, mind, and spirit. Exercise, mindfulness, regular therapy, and other health supports need to be scheduled in, and maintained with rigor in your life-rhythm. 

Nurture community

Self compassion of your internal world helps you to connect with others who care for you. Deepen relationships so you can develop and further your understanding of how important other aspects of life beyond achievement are to you. 

Are you exhausted, burned out,  and feel like you can't focus your thoughts, let alone perform at work? Perhaps you need support for depression, anxiety, a history of trauma, stress, and/or burnout. 

You need a therapist who is collaborative, genuine, authentic, warm, and empathetic. The therapy process can help you gain insight, heal, and make appropriate changes.

Hi! I’m Regina Chow Trammel, PhD, LCSW, and I have successfully treated hundreds of clients throughout my 17+ years of practice using mindfulness, existential, cognitive, and process-based interventions. I also understand the unique cultural & social factors that impact mental well-being. I can integrate faith and spirituality in sessions, if so desired. Our work together will be collaborative and supportive, always keeping in mind your goals. 

I am committed to creating a warm and safe space for you, where you can explore your own story, to discover and nurture—with compassion—a stronger, more resilient sense of self. I want you to be able to show up as your best self to achieve the goals you want to actualize at home, work, and in all your relationships.