Last week, I finished my biggest gravel bike race ever. 113 miles, almost all off-road on gravel and double track trails. 10,600 feet of elevation gain. After a total time of 8 hours and 19 minutes of racing, I completed one of the major goals that I set out to accomplish in January 2024.
The Void of Success
And then an interesting and unexpected experience happened. Instead of a complete feeling of joy, elation and excitement for completing such a grueling physical accomplishment, I felt a sense of void. That it was over. A let down.
It wasn’t about my performance on the bike. I exceeded my own expectations and was quite happy with the outcome. I took lessons learned about my nutrition from a race earlier this summer and was able to work through some cramping at miles 70 and 78 and pushed through for a strong finish. The feeling was more like, hmmm, what’s next?
Post-Achievement Depression in the Workplace
Psychologists refer to the letdown after a major accomplishment as “post-achievement depression” or “post-success depression.” Another related concept is the “arrival fallacy,” a term coined by positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar. The arrival fallacy describes the illusion that achieving a significant goal will bring lasting happiness, only to find that the anticipated fulfillment is fleeting.
The Hidden Causes of Post Achievement Depression
However it may show up for you, this post-accomplishment let down is a psychological state where individuals experience feelings of emptiness, sadness, or lack of purpose after reaching a significant milestone.
This can occur because of:
- Loss of Purpose: The journey toward the goal provided structure and meaning. Once achieved, that sense of purpose may diminish.
- Unmet Expectations: The reality of achieving the goal doesn’t match the anticipated joy or fulfillment.
- Identity Crisis: If one’s identity was heavily tied to the pursuit, its completion can lead to uncertainty about one’s role or next steps.
- Pressure of “What’s Next?”: The absence of a new goal can create anxiety about the future.
The Far-Reaching Impacts of Post-Accomplishment Let Down
As I look back on my experience, I can point to almost all of these showing up in my narrative. And, as I work with clients who just accomplished something major, it’s not uncommon for them to experience a crisis where their identity is highly attached to what they do or what they accomplish.
The external validation that they experience for accomplishing something significant plays an overdrive role in how they feel about themselves. And oftentimes the anticipation about how they will feel after an accomplishment doesn’t match reality.
Post-achievement let down can have an impact.
At a minimal level, people may experience fatigue, where they may experience emotional and physical exhaustion from prolonged effort. Or they may have a sense of anxiousness, worrying about how they will maintain the same level of success in the future.
In more extreme cases, you may feel a sense of isolation, feeling disconnected from others who may not understand your experience; or, increased risk of depression or decreased motivation.
Practical Ideas to Move Beyond Post-Accomplishment Depression
So, how do you move beyond post-achievement let down? Here are a few ideas.
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Acceptance is the fastest way to move forward. Instead of ignoring the emotions, accept that it’s normal to feel this way. Avoid self-judgment or minimizing your emotions.
- Get in the Gain (instead of the Gap): According to Dan Sullivan, the Gain is the measurement of where we started to where we are. The Gap is the measurement of where we are to the ever-moving goal of the future. When we are in the gain, we are able to celebrate not just the achievement but the effort and growth involved.
- Set New Goals: Establish new short-term and long-term objectives. Ensure these goals are meaningful and aligned with your values.
- Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude: Engage in mindfulness exercises to stay present. A new practice I’ve begun (more on this in a future post) is texting two accountability partners every night (Sunday through Thursday) of wins from the day and plans for the next day. In just one week since the race, as an example, I can show 21+ wins to celebrate.
- Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or mentors about how you’re feeling. Consider professional help if feelings persist.
- Diversify Your Interests: Explore hobbies or activities unrelated to your achievement, so that your identity expands beyond what you do to the impact you want to make.
- Redefine Success: View success as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Focus on personal fulfillment over external validation. Remember, you are already worthy.
- Take Care of Your Physical Health: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate sleep. Physical well-being can significantly impact mental health.
A Boost to Discover Deeper Meaning & Purpose…
My buddy Adam, a phenomenal human being and biker, texted me a few days after the race and before I wrote this article…
Ultimately, I am proud of my gravel bike racing accomplishment and, as I look back, enjoyed every step of the journey, from the planning to the training to the pre-race meeting, the race itself and the post race scene. And now I am reflecting on how I can elevate how I think about my identity, not attached so much to the “what I do” but to the impact I want to make in this world. I hope you too can see your accomplishments, not as a let down, but as a blissful boost to finding more meaning and purpose in your life.