One of the reasons I feel like achievers struggle so much with joy, with contentment, with imposter syndrome, etc. is they fail to recognize the difference between being driven and called.
Years ago a wise mentor explained the difference to me.
Driven people:
- Are usually gratified only by what they accomplish.
- Are preoccupied with symbols of accomplishment.
- Are caught up in an uncontrolled pursuit of expansion for its own sake.
- Are highly competitive.
- Are usually abnormally busy, and feel if they aren’t producing they are “wasting time.”
Called people:
- Focus on who they’re becoming more than what they’re accomplishing.
- Think about growth and expansion holistically, in alignment with their values.
- Celebrate the work of others without comparing, criticizing, or judging.
- Worry about the health of their people more than their personal advancement.
- Understand they are only entitled to the work, not the outcomes.
- Embrace healthy cycles of work and rest.