Failure Required

You Have Already Accomplished Things You Said Would Make You Happy

How often do we push happiness into the future? We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when I graduate, when I get that job, when I hit that milestone.” And yet, when we reach those points, happiness often feels fleeting, if it arrives at all. The goalposts move, and we find ourselves setting new benchmarks for happiness, thinking, “Maybe after the next thing, I’ll finally feel content.”

But have you ever stopped to reflect on the fact that you’ve already accomplished things you once believed would make you happy? The things you once dreamed about, stressed over, or worked so hard for—they’re part of your past now. And yet, instead of basking in that achievement, you might have barely acknowledged it before rushing toward the next goal.

Why Do We Keep Moving the Goalposts?

One reason we struggle to feel lasting happiness from our accomplishments is adaptation. Psychologists call this the “hedonic treadmill”—we quickly adjust to new circumstances, and what once seemed like a big deal becomes our new normal. The excitement of landing a dream job fades when daily stressors take over. The pride of finally moving into a new apartment dissipates once you start focusing on furnishing and decorating it.

Social comparison also plays a role. You get a promotion, but then you see someone else advancing even further, and suddenly your success feels inadequate. You achieve a personal milestone, but then social media reminds you of all the things you haven’t done yet. This cycle keeps us constantly striving, rarely pausing to appreciate how far we’ve come.

The Power of Looking Back

What if, instead of always looking forward, you made it a habit to look back? What if you regularly reminded yourself of the moments when you said, “If only I could achieve this, I’d be happy”—and then realized you did achieve it?

Try this:

• Make a list of past goals or dreams you had, even small ones.
• Reflect on how you felt when you reached them.
• Ask yourself: Did I take the time to enjoy and appreciate that moment?
• Practice gratitude for what you’ve already accomplished instead of only focusing on what’s next.

Happiness Exists in the Present

Happiness isn’t something to be earned or achieved—it’s something to be noticed. The key isn’t just reaching milestones but recognizing them when they happen. If you don’t learn to appreciate your wins now, future ones won’t bring the satisfaction you expect either.

So take a moment. Acknowledge what you’ve already done. You might realize that the happiness you’ve been chasing was already here all along.

Not only this but also realize that the happiness you felt was a product of the journey. You were happy with the small accomplishments each day to get you closer to the goal. Hitting the goal wasn’t the best part of the journey, the seemingly minute goals that were completed were the best part. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy the present.