The Pressure to Perform After Achievement
Imagine this: You’ve just achieved something monumental. Maybe you’ve won an Olympic gold medal, launched a successful startup, or finished that creative project you’ve been pouring your heart and soul into for years. You’re riding high on the rush of accomplishment, basking in that sweet moment of victory, ready to take a creative pause and soak it all in…
And then it happens.
“So, what’s next?”
Those three little words. They seem innocent enough, right? But let me tell you, as someone who’s been on both sides of that question, it’s a total vibe killer.
Simone Biles and the Olympic Pressure
A couple weeks ago, at the height of the Olympics in Paris, USA women’s gymnastics was absolutely crushing it. The GOAT herself, Simone Biles, had just snagged three golds and a silver in her third Olympics. And what does she get? The inevitable question: “What’s next?”
Simone wasn’t having it. She fired back on Twitter: “you guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics.”
Damn straight, Simone. And you know what? This doesn’t just apply to world-class athletes. It’s a universal experience for anyone who’s just poured their heart and soul into a major achievement.
The Constant Pressure to Produce and Achieve
As creators and entrepreneurs, we often face the same question after completing a big project or reaching a milestone. That expectation to constantly produce and achieve can be overwhelming, leaving little room to appreciate the journey and savor the success we’ve worked so hard to attain.
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Finding Renewal After CreativeLive
When I successfully exited CreativeLive, a company I had poured my heart and soul into for years, everyone wanted to know what I was going to do next. It was a well-intentioned question, born out of curiosity and excitement for what might come next. But in that moment, I realized I needed to pause and reflect on what I had achieved before diving into the next venture.
This pause allowed me to reconnect with my creative roots and reassess what truly mattered to me. It was a time to savor the success of CreativeLive, to appreciate the journey that had brought me there, and to explore new possibilities without the pressure of immediate expectations. This period of reflection was invaluable, giving me the clarity and inspiration I needed to embark on my next creative adventure.
What I’ve learned is that there’s immense value in taking time for rest and renewal after a significant achievement. It’s not about rushing to the next big thing, but about allowing yourself the space to process, reflect, and recharge. Rest and renewal can be a purpose in itself. Soul searching, wandering, and tinkering are all valid and important pursuits that can lead to new insights and directions.
Practical Tips for Embracing the Creative Pause
So here’s my challenge to you: The next time you achieve something big, resist the urge to immediately pivot to “what’s next.” Instead, try this:
- Celebrate Your Success: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments. Reflect on the hard work and creativity that brought you to this point.
- Practice Presence: Engage fully in the present moment. Avoid the distraction of future expectations and appreciate the journey you’ve been on.
- Redefine Success: Move away from a linear path of achievement. Embrace a holistic view of success that includes meaningful experiences, personal growth, and periods of rest and reflection.
- Trust Your Intuition: Listen to your inner voice. It can guide you in making decisions that align with your true desires and values.
- Create a Culture of Appreciation: Foster an environment that values presence and appreciation over constant achievement. Celebrate the journey as much as the destination.
- Embrace Rest and Renewal: Recognize that taking time to rest, reflect, and recharge is not just beneficial, but essential. It’s a valid and important part of the creative process.
- Allow for Exploration: Give yourself permission to wander, tinker, and explore without a specific goal in mind. These periods of open-ended exploration can often lead to unexpected breakthroughs and new directions.
Remember, it’s not about the next project, the next milestone, or the next accolade. It’s about the journey, the growth, and the joy we find along the way. Let’s celebrate that, including the moments of pause and reflection that make our creative lives richer and more fulfilling.
Until next time.
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