We are always trying.

Trying to get the client, the gig, the likes, the works, the ring, the hell out.

We. Want. Success.

But on the path to success, which is just a hop, skip and a long-winding-confusing jump away, it’s easy to land instead on its imposter cousin.

This sneaky condition is called successfulism.

Successfulism: feeling you’re not successful enough but you keep trying to do what you THINK will make you successful, when in reality it’s not right for you.

The signs of successfulism are as follows:

1. Continuous efforts toward goals you perceive will make you successful (just work harder!) but with a constant nagging feeling ‘THIS SUCKS’, or an anti-climatic dip upon reaching said goals.

2. Denial that the goals you picked are not right for you (anymore) but you pursue them anyway to make others happy or to support chosen lifestyle.

3. Resistance to adjusting chosen goals, re-evaluating life status or entertaining possibility of choosing goals aligned to your true self.

4. Total or significant neglect of personal balance including good nutrition, physical exercise, or operating from your true spiritual and emotional centers. Also neglecting family and friends.

5. You don’t feel happy, and use escapism (another ism) to um, escape.

Most may not even realize you have it. One, because you look successful, and two, because people you hang around probably have it too! Heck, even you won’t know it yourself, because it feels so dang normal.

As someone on the path to recovery, I have some inside knowledge on how to tackle successfulism.

1. Do the opposite of items 1-5 listed above.

For optimum results, take with a daily dose of persistence and optimism. These are essential during the transition, when things will most likely get worse before they get better. Keep to it, though, because it’s worth it.

A sure sign you’re on the right track is the drop in weight (‘ism’).

Leaving you to feel…..successful.