The disease is more: why strive for the ideal is harmful

In the sports environment is the concept of "disease more» (disease of more). For the first time it was used by Pat Riley, basketball coach, one of the ten greatest coaches in the National Basketball Association USA.

According to Riley, more disease explains why talented teams who have reached the championship title, often soon lose it. It is not in a strong contender.

Players, like everyone else, to dream big. First is more for them - a victory in the championship. But soon, this is not enough. They begin to want more money, more fame, more rewards, more than indulgences. Mental attitude change command. What it used to be the perfect fusion of the skills of all the players, turns into a chaotic and disparate efforts. As a result of the failure of the team is waiting.

More does not mean better

In the 1980s, psychologists have conducted a survey to understand what makes people happy. They were given pagers large group of people and asked them to record after each signal:

1. How happy do you feel right now on a scale from 1 to 10?
2. What event in your life influenced this feeling?

The researchers collected thousands of such records. The result was unexpected. Almost all we evaluated the level of happiness in 7 points. I buy milk in the supermarket - 7. I look as a son plays football - 7. I discuss with the head of sales - 7.

Even when there was some misfortune, the level briefly fell to 2-5 points, and after some time back to 7. The same with the joyful events. Winning the lottery, a vacation, a wedding - all raised in the time estimate, but soon level of happiness still he stayed on 7 points.

We have not been consistently happy. But also constantly unhappy, too.

Regardless of external circumstances all the time we are able to moderate, though not entirely satisfactory happiness. Almost always, we all normally. But we remember that there is better.

We constantly feel that to complete happiness lacks quite a bit. We think a little bit more, and happiness level will rise to ten. Most of us have lived - in constant pursuit of happiness full ten.

As a result, these people spend enormous effort and still feel dissatisfied. They think that they do not move from their seats. The pursuit of the perfect happiness of the future gradually devalues ​​them now.

So, no need to nothing to strive for? Not.

We should motivate something else, not just your own happiness.

Self-perfection - just a hobby

We all have heard that at the beginning of the year have to write down their goals, analyze the desires and aspirations, and then paint every step to reach them.

But self-improvement for the sake of self-improvement does not make any sense. This is just another hobby advertised. Something than you can take yourself, and then enthusiastically discuss with like-minded people.

If something can be improved, it does not mean that it should be improved.

The problem is not the improvements themselves. What is important is why we want to improve something in himself or his life. When we have no other purpose than self-aggrandizement, all life becomes a fixation on itself, in an easy and enjoyable form of narcissism. In the end, it will only make us miserable.

Life - this is not the constant improvement and constant exchange

Many perceive life as a linear growth and development. First, it is true. As a child, our knowledge and understanding of the world are increasing from year to year. In his youth, our skills continue to evolve rapidly.

But when we reach adulthood, we become professionals in any field, the life of constant development turns into a constant exchange.

You have invested a huge amount of time and effort in acquiring skills in their field. Changing the scope of activities, you will not improve as a person and give up certain possibilities that could bring. Simply put, if the writer wants to suddenly become a musician, he will trade the opportunity to write a new book on learn to play some instrument.

The same thing happens with athletes after an important victory. The time that they had spent the least training, they now exchanged for shooting in advertising or purchase expensive homes. As a result, they lose.

Finally

Be careful. Do not seek to develop only for the sake of development, do not dream big, just to get more. Be wary choose new targets, otherwise we lose the happiness and success that you have now.

Life - this is not a list of cases in which you need to put down a tick, and not a mountain that needs to be conquered. Life - is a constant exchange. And will have to choose what to trade, do not stick to our values. If you're willing to forget about them and get another ten-mark on the scale of happiness, most likely, you end up disappointed.