"The Power of Letting Go: Achieving Happiness and Success through Paradox"

Hatched by Kazuki
Aug 05, 2023
4 min read
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"The Power of Letting Go: Achieving Happiness and Success through Paradox"
The pursuit of happiness and success is a common goal for many individuals. We are constantly bombarded with messages and advice on how to achieve our dreams and find fulfillment in life. However, what if the key to true happiness and success lies in letting go of our obsession with achievement? This concept, known as the Viktor Frankl Achievement Paradox, silently sabotages people's lives.
Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, once said, "As long as you are aiming at happiness, you cannot obtain it. The more you make it a target, the more you miss the target." Frankl believed that by focusing less on personal achievement and instead giving oneself to a larger cause, one would experience more positive outcomes and be able to help others. In essence, happiness installs itself when we shift our focus from selfish desires to selfless actions. This notion is echoed by Oprah Winfrey, who famously stated, "You get from the world what you give to the world."
The idea that life expects something from us rather than the other way around is a profound concept. In situations of extreme adversity, such as the concentration camps during the Holocaust, those who were oriented toward a future, oriented for freedom, and oriented to a greater meaning were more likely to survive. This demonstrates the power of having a purpose and a task to complete. As John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This mindset applies to all aspects of life – when we focus on what we can contribute rather than what we can gain, we experience greater fulfillment and success.
"The Best Things in Life Are All Backwards" further explores the paradoxical nature of achieving success. In the context of drown-proofing, a technique taught to cadets, it is paradoxical that the more one struggles to keep their head above water, the more likely they are to sink. The key is to let go of control and allow oneself to sink to the bottom, trusting that momentum will carry them back to the surface. This skill of letting go when control is desired most is crucial in navigating life's challenges.
This concept extends beyond physical challenges and applies to mental and emotional endeavors as well. Many activities in life are complex and require adaptation. Studies on work productivity reveal that we are typically only productive for the first few hours of each day. This inverted curve suggests that as the action becomes more psychological and exists solely within our own consciousness, the relationship between effort and reward becomes inverted. Aldous Huxley once wrote, "The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed." Proficiency and results come to those who have learned the art of doing and not doing, combining relaxation with activity.
The paradoxical nature of our psychology is rooted in the fact that consciously trying to create a desired state of mind often produces the opposite effect. In our pursuit of meaning, freedom, and happiness, we often find that the more we chase these ideals, the further they seem to elude us. The key is to teach ourselves to achieve what we desire by giving up what we desire. It is through letting go and embracing the uncertainty that we can find true fulfillment.
Incorporating these paradoxical concepts into our lives can be transformative. Here are three actionable pieces of advice to apply:
- 1. Shift your focus from personal achievement to contributing to a larger cause. Find a purpose that resonates with you and dedicate your efforts towards it. By selflessly giving, you will experience greater happiness and attract positive outcomes.
- 2. Embrace the paradox of effort and reward. Recognize that not all activities follow a linear effort/reward curve. Sometimes, the harder we try, the less successful we become. Learn to let go of control and trust in the process. Balancing relaxation with activity can lead to greater proficiency and results.
- 3. Stop chasing meaning, freedom, and happiness. Instead, focus on being present and embracing the uncertainty of life. Let go of the desire to control outcomes and lean into the fear. By surrendering to the depths, you may find that it launches you towards salvation.
In conclusion, the Viktor Frankl Achievement Paradox and the concept of embracing paradoxes in life offer valuable insights into achieving true happiness and success. By shifting our focus from personal gain to selfless contribution, letting go of control, and embracing uncertainty, we can experience a profound transformation. Letting go may be the key to unlocking the best things in life that often seem to be just out of reach.
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