Have you ever hit a big goal, then felt surprisingly flat the next day?
That’s because achievement rarely delivers the lasting satisfaction we expect. It’s a phenomenon psychologists call the Arrival Fallacy, and it’s a trap that many of us fall into.
One reminder of this came to me recently when Scottie Scheffler (the world’s top-ranked golfer) said at a press conference:
“You work your whole life to celebrate winning… then you get to number one in the world and think: what’s the point? Because if I win, it’ll be awesome… for two minutes.”
Maybe that echoes a feeling you’ve experienced. Chasing something. Getting it. But then, the feeling quickly fades.
So in this month’s newsletter, I want to explore:
- Why achievement is a feeling that fades so quickly
- How to shift our mindset so we’re not disappointed when it does
What We Know: Why Winning Doesn’t Last Long
The Arrival Fallacy is the belief that once we achieve something, we’ll feel a lasting sense of satisfaction.
But mounds of research show otherwise. Whether it’s a career milestone or a personal goal, the emotional high typically doesn’t last very long.
So if we spend years working toward a goal that only gives us a temporary moment of joy—what’s the real reward?
What I’ve Learned: Progress Beats Arrival
While the moment of arrival fades quickly, the feeling of progress tends to stick.
Growth isn’t a red “X” on a map. It’s something you can feel every day. It shows up through the effort itself, regardless of the outcome.
So when you start seeing your work not just as a finish line but as a series of learning moments, everything begins to shift. You’re not just chasing a milestone, but building momentum. And ongoing momentum is a feeling that sticks.
What You Can Try: Celebrate Progress Daily
1. End each day with this question
Before you wind down, ask yourself: How did I grow today? It might be a hard conversation you handled better, a new idea you explored, or a tough moment you simply made it through. The learning doesn’t need to be major—the tiniest gains compound over time.
2. Redefine your goal
Next time you set a goal, don’t just define what you want to get, but how you want to grow. Do you want to become a better thinker, creator, leader, partner, or parent? When your goal includes a growth objective, the day-to-day gains a sense of meaning.
Scottie Scheffler reminded us that the feeling of winning fades fast. But maybe that isn’t a flaw in the system. What if it’s an invitation?
An invitation to fall in love with progress, and build a kind of success that outlasts the win.
Let’s keep playing the Game of Now.