Widespread intrusive advertising of success pushes many onto the path of strenuous “achievementism,” leading to a near-narcotic dependency on specific hormones (e.g. dopamine which is biologically related to achievement of goals and causes a state of euphoria as a reward). Eventually, as any dependency, it results in an imbalance and disruptions in the functioning of many systems in the body.
The way to break free from the addiction to dopamine-driven pleasure is to shift the focus from the pleasure derived from measuring one’s worth by how many and what heights have been reached, i.e. the quantity of achievements, to the signature of your Genetic Type.
The Type signature is the way one’s body signals whether one is in alignment, or not. The “not” is also indicated by a specific signal, which is the “Not-Self” theme of the Genetic Type. These are all signals of whether we are in the right place, with the right people, and engaged in the correct energy exchange.
For Generator, the indicator of correctness is satisfaction, while dissatisfaction, or frustration, signifies incorrectness.
For Projector, this is, respectively, the sweetness of success to be recognized and needed for who they are, or – bitterness.
For Manifestor, it’s peace with oneself and others, or – anger.
For Reflector, it’s surprise, or – disappointment.
So, we are hooked on the “achievementist” race, trained from early childhood to measure our worth by results and achieved goals. When we achieve results and acknowledge them, dopamine is released, bringing pleasure and energy.
This leads us to becoming dependent on this dopamine pleasure.
However, what is quickly achieved becomes routine, dopamine level drops, and we become bored. This pulls us towards new heights, and we may not even notice how we become addicted to approval, praise, and chasing new achievements. Even with accomplishments, this leads to burnout, frustration, anger, disappointment, or bitterness.
The way out is to shift the focus from achievements to how we make decisions, as to what we engage in, and what we don’t, in other words, how we invest our energy. So, the practicality of the tools (Strategy and Inner Authority), revealed by Human Design system, is difficult to overestimate.
During the process of returning to oneself, Generators learn to distinguish between the fleeting pleasure of dopamine, which requires continuously achieving new goals, and the satisfaction they get when acting purely out of response.
Manifestors, by informing and initiating out of their Inner Authority, come to appreciate peace from applying their power correctly more than any imposed notions of how they should earn validation from others.
Projectors, sooner or later, recognize their inability to engage in the games of energy Types which exhaust Projectors. They recognize that initiating and achieving stereotypical success is not sweet; accomplishments don’t erase the bitterness. They understand that their true success lies beyond it. Here, their Type Strategy will help too – to wait for invitation from those who recognize them, and decide whether to accept it or not, based on their Inner Authority.
Reflectors can easily get lost in stereotypical roles and become overwhelmed by the achievement-oriented lifestyle, which deepens their disappointment. By experimenting with their Strategy of waiting 28 days before making decisions that ultimately determine in what place they should be now, Reflectors can learn to differentiate between pleasure and surprise. Giving themselves time to disconnect from the energies of others and observe what they feel is incredibly helpful.
As you can see, happiness is different for everyone and does not depend on the quantity of achievements. My satisfaction comes from following my own energy, doing what feels “aha” in the present moment, regardless of what my mind tells me. This leads to a state of balance and contentment with how things are right now.
Do you ever experience moments where, despite your achievements, you have a sense that it’s not quite what you’re here for?