Accomplish But Continue

Accomplishment is a drug. The feeling of dopamine and achievement accomplishment produces is one that people continue to seek. When people reach the mountaintop of their respective fields they feel like they have won. It is common for these people to not want to challenge themselves in different ways that may present them with challenges. When people accomplish, they lose their edge. People do not want to be exposed with new things when they have achieved.

The basis for this piece comes from the words of David Goggins. David Goggins is a former Navy SEAL turned endurance athlete and that short bio does him a disservice for what he is physically capable of through the power of his mind. He was speaking on a podcast about the differences between him and a lot of Navy SEALs. He discussed that the public image of what a Navy SEAL is was very different than reality. The public thinks of incredibly in-shape, mentally strong, elite warriors that are the best of the best at their craft. David Goggins said that on the inside, things are a little different. He said after going through Hell Week, many of the SEALs lose their desire to continue grueling physical preparation. They have beaten Hell Week, they are SEALs, let them be SEALs. Goggins continued on to say he saw a handful of Navy SEALs fail Army Ranger school. From a public viewpoint, how are Navy SEALs struggling with Army Ranger school? Goggins explained this reality by saying that once these members achieved and accomplished becoming a Navy SEAL, they no longer wanted to be “exposed” to things they could not do. They wanted to sit behind the perception of everything being a SEAL means. They achieved, accomplished, and sat on the mountaintop.

This testament is not to generalize Navy SEALs as a whole nor is it to discredit them. It is entirely meant to use an example of the highest sense of achievement followed by a resistance to exposing oneself. This example could have been applied to nearly any field and could have been around nearly any example. People achieve and then they do not want to humble themselves through failure. When they achieve they want to appear as if they can do no wrong, they are at the top of their field or area, they know all—they can do all. This is the entirely wrong perspective to have. Achievement and accomplishment should open even more doors for learning. More doors to walk through and continue on. Accomplish, but carry on. Do not be afraid of not knowing, knowledge and achievement will come again.