Why doesn’t success bring happiness? | Laura Gassner Otting | TEDxReno

Each time we achieve success, we also envision and hunger for a potential that we never knew existed. It’s amazing, it’s exciting, it’s energizing; it’s wonderful. But it’s also anxiety-provoking, identity-shaking, and exhausting; it’s hell. Based on a two decade career in executive search interviewing thousands of the most successful people in the world, Laura Gassner Otting explains why success doesn’t bring happiness, and how to take advantage of the “wonderhell” that it presents instead.

[michaeljennings]

Success is an ever evolving journey and not a destination so we always want more. Spot on.

[asherPreynolds]

This is a great example of why highly motivated and busy people need to do a whole lot of work on their inner selves. In my experience people stay that busy because they're trying to outrun something within themselves and THAT is why they'll never be happy. Do the inner work friends.

[shelleybrown]

If anyone is reading the comments, Laura is the real deal! I love this talk so much! I feel this talk so much! I LIVE and LOVE my WONDERHELL and have loved witnessing yours! Ahhhh holy duality! It's the best, it's life, it's us!

[declanmackenzie]

I feel like I've been hearing about 'burn-out' since after the first lock down and really just dismissed it as one of the new buzz words but man, when I did eventually burn out the way it affects your mental health is no joke, truly. Look after yourselves everyone ❤

[sofianeunique]

Success is not hitting the top of the mountain, it is the journey of climbing it

[genacox]

"Wonderhell" resonates. The gap between "I know why I was put on the planet" and doing that thing, is excruciating. And, never narrows, it only widens! Congratulations Laura Gassner Otting. 👏

[annmerrychristmas]

Wanting more is encoded in our DNA. I was once told that if I'm not moving towards a new goal, I was stagnant and dying.

[megonbutler]

"The burden of your potential" - I love that phrase so much. It's like the little voice inside your head that's both calling you out and also encouraging you at the same time. I'm writing that on a post-it note and putting it in my office.

[JimMonaghan]

"The burden of your potential plunks its weight on your shoulders and demands that you carry it around with you at all times." - Just one of a number of great takeaways from this video presentation by Laura.

[gwendolyncarnell]

Success is not a destination; it's an inflection point. That realization changed everything for me. I dove into books, seeking wisdom from different perspectives. I discovered that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's about understanding our ambition, embracing our emotions, and accepting that our journeys are a series of successes and lessons.

[judsonlaipply]

Laura’s got both the insight and the personal experiences along with challenges and obstacles to speak from a point of personal reflection which is rare among most speaker/experts. She’s lived it. Bravo.

[annadobysh]

The burden of my potential is my comfort zone. I push myself all the time to go out of it. Nowadays i realized that i've changed a lot in my life and achieved better results i expected. For being happy the best way is to expand our mindset and overcome fears

[snakejohnson]

i gotta say, i still find it amazing how success is defined different through so many parts of the world. i like pushing myself, but I don't like parading around when i've achieved something.

[melrobertsreal]

In my opinion happiness is a personal and unique experience for each of us that continuously changes over the course of our lives.

[annemarieanderson]

EGO + "the Burden of Potential" = the message I needed to hear today. More please about Wonderhell .... so so good!

[inshiraanwar]

It’s never the final success that brings me the happiness, but it’s the journey. Who I become and what I achieve in the process is where the success is, not the outcome exactly.

[NoahForSure]

Redefining success as a waypoint is brilliant. Growth is a journey, not a destination.

[alamshah]

“Burden of potential”… Brilliant talk by a brilliant and insightful speaker/author. Can’t wait to read her next book!

[petarubenstein]

I watched this talk a week ago and have been ruminating ever since. The idea that once we are introduced to something better for ourselves, we live there whether it comes to fruition or not is revolutionary! I think this will shape my thinking forever! Thank you LGO!!!

[bobbiecarltonspeaker]

I love the concept of the "burden of potential". I talk a lot about how visibility equals opportunity (business, career and personal.) But not everyone wants what visibility and opportunity brings to their doorstep. It's a huge amount of responsibility and more work. It's not a destination unto itself and we need to consider the costs of that opportunity and the potential. Bravo, Laura!