Why Success Won’t Make You Happy - The Atlantic
archive.today webpage capture Saved from history←priornext→ 20 Jun 2026 19:27:41 UTC All snapshots from host www.theatlantic.com WebpageScreenshot sharedownload .zipreport bug or abuseBuy me a coffee SKIP TO CONTENT Site Navigation Popular Latest Newsletters Sign In Subscribe HOW TO BUILD A LIFE ‘Success Addicts’ Choose Being Special Over Being Happy The pursuit of achievement distracts from the deeply ordinary activities and relationships that make life meaningful. By Arthur C. Brooks Jan Buchczik JULY 30, 2020 SHARE SAVE Imagine reading a story titled “The Relentless Pursuit of Booze.” You would likely expect a depressing story about a person in a downward alcoholic spiral. Now imagine instead reading a story titled “The Relentless Pursuit of Success.” That would be an inspiring story, wouldn’t it? Maybe—but maybe not. It might well be the story of someone whose never-ending quest for more and more success leaves them perpetually unsatisfied and incapable of happiness. Physical