You’d think reaching a new level of success would feel like
celebration. Relief. Confidence.
But sometimes, it doesn’t. Sometimes it feels like… discomfort. Guilt. Self-doubt.
A subtle urge to downplay your win or move the goalpost before you even catch
your breath.
That’s not ambition. That’s programming.
The Voice That Says “Not Enough”
Impostor Syndrome is that internal voice whispering:
“You’re not really that good.”
“They’ll figure out you don’t belong.”
“It was luck. Don’t get too comfortable.”
And it doesn’t matter how many degrees, promotions, or
milestones you’ve hit the voice still shows up, undermining the moment.
The Ceiling We Build Ourselves
The Upper Limit Problem, a concept by Gay Hendricks,
explains this feeling well:
Each of us has an internal thermostat for how much success, joy, or recognition
we believe we deserve.
When we exceed that limit, we sabotage. We stall. We shrink.
Not consciously. But we do it. Because deep down, we’re
still trying to “earn” something we already have: Our worth.
The Cultural Script That Never Ends
Many of us grew up in homes or cultures where achievement
was tied to identity. Good grades. Good job. Be the best. Do more. Be more. So,
we internalize it. Even when we succeed, we don’t feel successful,
because success was never meant to be enjoyed. It was meant to be chased. We
don’t celebrate who we’ve become because we’re too busy becoming the next
version of ourselves.
A Gentle Reframe
What if…
You didn’t have to prove yourself anymore?
You didn’t have to compare yourself to others?
You didn’t have to shrink just because you’ve never been this “you” before?
The only real comparison worth making is:
Am I more aligned, more authentic, more at peace than I was yesterday?
Last but not least
The next time you feel uncomfortable after a win, pause. Breathe.
Don’t rush to earn the next one. Let yourself feel the one you’ve already
earned. Because the truth is: There’s no one left to impress. Just a life
left to enjoy.
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