The Illusion of Significance: Career Achievements and Material Possessions

In the previous article, “Important Moments We Rarely Think About in Life” we reflected on how the rush of daily life often blinds us to the small, meaningful experiences that truly define our happiness—and why we tend to focus on things that don’t really matter. If you haven’t read it yet, we recommend starting there to better understand the foundation of this series.

Now, in the second article, we dive deeper into a different yet equally thought-provoking topic: why do we place so much importance on career achievements and material possessions? Why do they often seem like the ultimate goals, promising fulfillment and happiness, only to leave us feeling empty once attained?

This series of articles explores what truly makes life fulfilling, gives it meaning, and leaves a lasting mark on our hearts. Here’s the list of articles in this series:

1. Important Moments We Rarely Think About in Life
2. The Illusion of Significance: Career Achievements and Material Possessions
3. The Science of Happiness: What Truly Brings Fulfillment
4. Relationships and Love: What Remains When Everything Else Fades
5. Personal Growth and Self-Realization: Does Leaving a Legacy Matter?
6. Impact on Others: Altruism as a Source of Deep Meaning
7. Nature and the Present Moment: The Art of Living in the Now
8. What Do We Regret at the End of Life?
9. Conclusion: What Truly Matters?
10. Final Thoughts and a Call to Mindful Living

Let’s uncover how the illusion of significance shapes our choices—and how we can shift our focus to what truly matters.

Introduction

Looking back, many people realize that they have dedicated much of their lives to work, striving for status, money, and recognition. We are convinced that by reaching a certain career level or accumulating enough wealth, we will finally feel happy. But is that really the case?

Why, when we achieve what we wanted, do we often still feel empty? Why does the joy of success fade so quickly, leaving behind the feeling that something is missing?

Science and real-life stories tell a different story: careers and material values don’t always bring satisfaction. Let’s explore why – and what truly matters.

Why Success at Work Doesn’t Lead to Happiness

At first glance, it seems that if someone is successful in their career, with a life full of stability, financial well-being, and career prospects, they should be happy. But despite this obvious logic, research shows that career achievements are not always the key to true happiness. In fact, the more we strive for success at work, the more often we find ourselves trapped by the illusion that material and social achievements can give us a sense of fulfillment in life.

The Achievement Paradox: The More You Have, the Less Satisfaction You Feel

One of the reasons for this paradox lies in the concept of “hedonic adaptation,” a psychological term that refers to our ability to quickly get used to changes in life, even the most significant ones. We strive for improvements, believing that once we achieve what we desire, we will find true happiness. But in reality, it turns out that our satisfaction doesn’t grow as we expected.

You get the long-awaited promotion — at first, it feels like a real triumph, an event that dramatically changes your life. The adrenaline, the sense of pride, the euphoria of success. But a month or two passes, and this new position turns into the same old routine. The same tasks, the same demands, the same expectations — and soon, you’re thinking about the next step. The next goal, the next promotion.

Paradoxically, research shows that once a person reaches a certain income level (for example, $75,000–$90,000 per year), further increases in salary have almost no effect on their happiness level. We continue to chase after more money, new status, and social recognition, but in the end, our emotions remain unchanged. Satisfaction stays the same, and the emptiness we try to fill with external achievements only deepens.

So, in our pursuit of happiness, we find ourselves trapped in an endless cycle of desires and disappointments, unaware that we are creating this illusion of fulfillment by tying ourselves to material goals that only mask the true sources of meaning in life.

The Higher the Status, the More Pressure You Face

A high status at work undoubtedly brings prestige, recognition, and financial benefits. However, behind this external shine often lie huge personal costs — stress, responsibility, and the inability to find time for oneself. The higher your position, the more trapped you become by expectations and obligations that can wear you down not just physically, but emotionally as well.

Top executives, entrepreneurs, and heads of large companies often work 60–80 hours a week. Their lives become an endless cycle where work never stops. The desperate pursuit of the next goal, the next achievement, turns their existence into a string of never-ending tasks and urgent matters, leaving less and less room for personal joys or rest. Time for family, for oneself — these concepts gradually disappear.

People with high responsibility and leadership roles often suffer from anxiety, insomnia, burnout, and depression. The pursuit of success and disproportionate pressure lead many to lose balance, which, in turn, affects not only their professional health but also their personal lives. Burnout syndrome, recognized as a professional disease by the World Health Organization in 2019, is becoming increasingly common among those who have placed their career on a pedestal.

With each new career success, with each promotion, the workload increases. But in the end, a person realizes that their inner well-being is not directly dependent on their position or material status. In fact, it is in the pursuit of great success and recognition that one can easily lose inner harmony, losing the ability to enjoy the present.

Work Consumes Your Identity

In today’s world, it’s common for us to start identifying ourselves with our profession. The question “Who are you?” usually doesn’t cause much trouble. The answer almost always comes naturally: “I’m a lawyer,” “I’m a doctor,” “I’m an entrepreneur.” We live in an era where success is measured by career achievements, and personal identity often boils down to professional status.

But a person is not just their profession. When a career becomes the meaning of life, and then unexpectedly falls apart — whether due to job loss, retirement, or a crisis — many face a profound personal crisis. It’s not just the loss of a job, it’s the loss of oneself, one’s value, one’s place in the world. For those who have built their identity around their profession, the question becomes painfully sharp: “Who am I now if I’m no longer a lawyer, a doctor, or an entrepreneur?”

This is the tragedy of a career that consumes everything, leaving emptiness when it’s gone. This phenomenon is common among successful people who, despite all their accomplishments, can’t answer the question: “What will I leave behind?” They ask this question because they realize that their life’s achievements don’t bring satisfaction, and they don’t leave a deep internal connection with the world and others.

Professor Laurie Santos, studying the nature of happiness, concluded that those who focus on non-material values — family, friendship, helping others, personal growth — feel much more satisfied with life. These are people who understand that true happiness doesn’t come with career success and material wealth. These non-material values become the foundation on which a deeper and more sustainable sense of satisfaction is built. They live not for achieving external goals but for inner growth and connection with others.

How Society Imposes False Priorities on Us

From a young age, we are told that success is measured by money, career, and status. Parents, teachers, and adults in general say things like, “Study hard to get a good job” or “Be the first, be the best, or you’ll fail.” These mantras are everywhere and are ingrained in our minds as something obvious and right.

But why do we so willingly accept these values without questioning how they truly shape our perception of success? Why are societal norms so effective in imposing the idea that if you haven’t achieved a certain social status, you’re somehow not a complete person?

Society, of course, thrives on competition, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It drives growth, motivation, and the pursuit of improvement. However, it’s important to understand where healthy competition ends and self-deception begins. When success becomes the ultimate goal, when career and money are seen as the only paths to a fulfilled life, we start to lose touch with deeper, more meaningful aspects of existence.

The question is how to resist the temptation of external standards and find our true priorities — ones that are not dictated by society, but are based on personal values and an inner understanding of happiness.

Social Comparison: “If He Has It, I Need It Too”

One of the most powerful psychological mechanisms driving our pursuit of money and status is social comparison. We rarely see our own lives in their uniqueness and entirety. Instead, we unconsciously and constantly compare ourselves to others, measuring our achievements through the lens of what others have.

A colleague bought a new car? That means I need to upgrade mine, even if it’s still in great condition. Friends are vacationing at expensive resorts? Why can’t I afford that too, especially since I work just as hard, if not harder? Social comparison makes us feel like something is missing, even when we already have everything we need for a comfortable life.

But the problem is that there’s no finish line in this race. Over time, there will always be someone richer, more successful, or more influential. The drive for social superiority becomes endless, and the more we achieve, the higher our expectations rise. Instead of enjoying what we already have, we begin to feel a constant sense of inadequacy. This creates internal conflict because we’re unable to truly appreciate the value of our own accomplishments.

This mechanism is known as “relative devaluation.” The idea is that the more we have, the higher our demands and desires become. We stop being satisfied with what we’ve achieved, and our level of contentment, instead of growing, begins to shrink. The sense of happiness that should come from success turns into an empty race for something else, something that will always remain out of reach.

The Productivity Cult: “Work 24/7, or You’re Lazy”

Today, the word “busy” has become synonymous with “successful.” We live in a world where if you don’t have any free time, it’s seen as a sign of high demand and social status. Busyness has become a measure of success. The more work you have, the more important you seem. This idea has permeated society so deeply that it sometimes feels like if you’re not overloaded, you aren’t doing enough or striving for more.

Work has been elevated to a cult. Constant productivity and continuous activity have become almost obligatory. “Be productive!” the slogans shout. “Work 24/7, and you’ll succeed.” “Sleeping 8 hours? That’s for the weak!” This philosophy has infiltrated corporate culture, convincing people that if they’re not working themselves into exhaustion, they’re either wasting time or jeopardizing their career.

However, science tells us otherwise. Humans aren’t built for constant productivity. Harvard psychologists conducted studies showing that people who work overtime often experience less joy, even in their free time. Their brains can’t shut off from work problems; they keep “processing” tasks, even when the person is physically resting. This leads to chronic fatigue, burnout, and decreased life satisfaction. The brain isn’t like a machine that can run endlessly without rest.

The productivity cult is especially strong in countries where workaholism has become the norm. In Japan, for example, there’s a term called “karoshi” — death from overwork. This is a real social issue, and thousands of people fall victim to their excessive workloads every year. The constant pressure to “give your all” to work leads to painful health consequences.

While productivity is certainly important, it needs to be balanced with personal life, rest, and recovery. Without this balance, the drive for success becomes a dead end. When work becomes the end goal, and every moment is measured by its productivity, we lose sight of the true goal — a happy, fulfilling life. It’s time to realize that true productivity isn’t about working to exhaustion, but managing your time effectively while prioritizing rest and mental well-being.

Marketing and the Consumer Industry: “Happiness Can Be Bought”

In today’s world, the largest corporations make billions by convincing us that material possessions can bring happiness. Everywhere we turn, we’re promised happiness through buying this or that product. “A new car will make you successful,” say car manufacturers. “This designer suit will boost your confidence,” claim fashion brands. “These watches are symbols of your status,” say luxury accessory sellers.

But the truth is much more complicated and disappointing. Once we get what we desire, the joy of the purchase is short-lived. Psychologists call this the “new toy effect” — when an item is freshly acquired, it elicits strong emotions and gives a burst of joy. But gradually, it becomes just another possession, and we’re once again craving something newer, shinier, or more exclusive. This cycle repeats itself over and over, and we keep trying to find happiness in new purchases, forgetting that true satisfaction can’t be bought.

Tim Kasser, a psychologist at the University of Illinois, conducted research showing that the more a person is focused on material values, the lower their happiness levels. Those who strive to accumulate things and build social status through consumption often end up feeling more miserable and dissatisfied with life. They’re frequently prone to anxiety, depression, and a sense of emptiness. Why does this happen? Because happiness based on material objects is fleeting. When our desires are fulfilled, they don’t bring true contentment; they merely pave the way for new desires.

Moreover, a consumption-driven society creates the illusion that happiness and success can be measured by the number of possessions we own. But in reality, the opposite is true: attachment to material things obscures what truly matters, such as love, family, personal growth, and understanding with others. We start to forget that real happiness isn’t about how much we own, but about the quality of our relationships, our inner state, and how we perceive the world and ourselves within it.

Marketing creates illusions, manipulating our desire for self-improvement and recognition. It makes us believe that without a certain item or status, we can’t be happy. But the truth is, happiness doesn’t come from purchases. It comes from an inner sense of harmony and the realization that everything we need for complete happiness is already within us.

How to Escape the Rat Race?

We live in a world where success is often measured by money, career achievements, and status. But what if we stepped back from these standards and started looking for more sustainable sources of happiness? We might discover that true satisfaction lies not in the number of zeros in our bank account, but in something much deeper.

1. Stop Measuring Success Only by Money
   Of course, financial stability is important. We all need security and the ability to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. But it’s crucial to realize that real success isn’t just about material achievements. True success is about harmony in all areas of life. Health, family, personal growth, and enjoying life are what truly matter. Maybe it’s time to rethink your priorities and aim for balance, rather than chasing after numbers. How often do we hear that someone who’s achieved career success feels empty when they come home? Perhaps it’s because they’ve neglected the other important aspects of life.
2. Realize That Career Isn’t Everything
   What would you do if money didn’t matter? This is a crucial question that helps reframe your goals. Think about what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. It might not be career achievements; it could be something far more personal: travel, creativity, volunteering, or simply spending time with family. The constant race to the top of the career ladder is not synonymous with happiness. When we understand that our identity is far more than our work, we begin to feel whole, and life becomes richer and more meaningful.
3. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
   One of the most destructive habits is constantly comparing yourself to others. We often see how well others are doing: they’re traveling, building careers, looking amazing. And before we know it, we start feeling like failures. But happiness isn’t about being better than anyone else. It’s about appreciating your uniqueness and feeling comfortable in your life, no matter what external standards dictate. Happiness isn’t a race for superiority; it’s the ability to enjoy what we have right here, right now.
4. Choose Non-Material Values
   Research shows that people who invest more in intangible values like family, relationships, personal growth, and experiences tend to feel happier. They may not have all the material wealth, but their lives are filled with meaning and joy. Instead of striving to own more things, think about how you can strengthen your relationships, grow as a person, or dive into new and exciting hobbies. Create moments of happiness not through purchases, but through experiences that will leave lasting impressions in your heart and memory.

Conclusion:

We live in a world where success and happiness are often associated with money, career, and status. From an early age, we are taught that these external achievements bring fulfillment. However, as we’ve seen, true happiness is not always linked to material wealth. Constantly shifting standards and the race for success make us forget that real values lie in the deeper, intangible aspects of life — love, relationships, personal growth, and inner peace. To achieve harmony, it’s crucial to find a balance between personal ambitions and what truly brings long-term satisfaction.

But if career and material wealth can’t be the foundation of our happiness, what remains? What truly makes us happy in a world full of uncertainty and external pressure? And what is the real value of relationships and love when everything else fades away?

The answers to these questions will be explored in the next article, where we will dive deeper into what happens when we focus not on things and achievements, but on what remains when all external markers of success lose their meaning. What truly lies behind love, and how can it transform our lives?

Read the next article: 3. The Science of Happiness: What Truly Brings Fulfillment