Why do some people have an extremely successful career but have a personal life that is falling apart?

Winning at Work, Struggling in Life: Let’s Talk About It

Dr. Abdelaziz M.E
ILLUMINATION
2 min readAug 20, 2023

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Photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash

When someone achieves success in their life despite facing struggles, it’s usually due to a combination of factors, both internal and external. This situation often arises when our priorities get out of sync.

Individuals who are highly dedicated to excelling in their careers might unintentionally prioritize work over their relationships. Consequently, individuals might unintentionally overlook aspects of their lives such as dedicating moments with family and friends fostering friendships, or achieving a harmonious equilibrium, between work and personal life.

Some occupations present difficulties in achieving a balance, between work commitments and personal obligations. Occupations like finance, law, medicine, and entrepreneurship demand high levels of stress and unwavering dedication.

Moreover, striving for perfection in one’s career can take a mental toll, leaving room for personal pursuits. Finding ways to cultivate a rounded life beyond our endeavors can be quite challenging, especially in certain fields.

Undoubtedly, external influences also play a role in this phenomenon. We do not face the pressures we put on ourselves. Also, the expectations imposed by society and our loved ones.

Moreover, the constant pressure from colleagues and peers can push us to focus on our careers while neglecting other areas of our lives. This excessive emphasis on success can lead us to tie our self-worth to our work, which ultimately strains our relationships.

It’s fascinating how some individuals excel at compartmentalizing aspects of their lives. They may excel at their jobs. Struggle in their relationships. Balancing both areas with the same level of skill and dedication can be challenging.

When it comes to relationships, emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills are crucial, even if someone is achieving career success through their strengths. We must remember that factors like burnout, chronic stress, and work exhaustion can significantly impact us.

Dealing with these conditions makes it difficult to maintain balance in relationships. This can strain connections and diminish our sense of satisfaction.

Sometimes the qualities that lead to success in one aspect of life may not necessarily match what is needed to maintain relationships. For example, if you’re someone who thrives on competition you might excel in your pursuits. Find it challenging to be cooperative and empathetic, in your personal connections.

It’s important to remember that personal difficulties and past traumas can also play a role in these challenges. These obstacles can impede growth even if you are achieving success, in your life.

Don’t fret!

Balancing a successful career and a fulfilling personal life is entirely attainable. Fortunately, achieving this balance only requires some introspection.

By comprehending how these various factors influence your life and taking active steps to manage them, you’ll be on the right path to embarking on a fulfilling journey.

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Dr. Abdelaziz M.E
ILLUMINATION

Business Mentor and consultant at various startups, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. https://nextgenventure.net