March 8, 2012
Study: Overachievement Can Lead to Unfulfillment, Shorter Life Span
Success comes with hard work, and many see the benefits of being on the constant grind. Getting degrees and training from the best schools, working for the top companies, and getting promotions are all part of a high achiever’s career agenda. But once the gains are made and the achievements gathered, life fulfillment becomes a major issue, especially if one is too busy going through the motions to smell the roses and reap the benefits of all the hard work.
One scientist says this can lead to an opposite effect of total burnout and life dissatisfaction. Timothy Judge, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, surveyed 717 high achievers who have been followed over seven decades. He found that not only does overachievement not guarantee life fulfillment, but it also can lead to shorter life spans.