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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Success Trap summary
Amina Aitsi-Selmi
Why Good People Stay in Jobs They Don't Like and How to Break Free
19 mins
Brief summary
'The Success Trap' by Amina Aitsi-Selmi is a fascinating exploration of how society's definition of success ultimately harms individuals, their relationships, and their wellbeing. It provides compelling insights into why we should re-evaluate our own definitions of success.
Table of Contents
The Success Trap
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
In the complex modern world of work, it’s all too common to fall into the success trap.
In the twenty-first century, the workplace is unlike it’s ever been before.
Wages are stagnant, while the cost of living soars. Artificial intelligence is threatening to take jobs away. And worldwide happiness levels are in the gutter. A 2017 survey found that, out of 40 activities, people ranked paid work as being the second worst thing for their well-being. The only thing worse? Being ill in bed.
Today’s chaotic world is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. It even has an acronym: VUCA. And it also applies to our careers. It’s no wonder that when people feel they’re on to a good thing, they tend to stay put. The thing is, staying put can also lead to problems.
The key message here is: In the complex modern world of work, it’s all too common to fall into the success trap.
It might sound strange to think of success as a trap. But what looks like success often hides deeper problems.
Say you find a stable, well-paying job. You then quickly adapt to a lifestyle that matches your means – you buy or rent expensive property, go on exotic holidays, and so on. But that creates a dependency on your job, and that means you stop evaluating whether it’s making you happy.
It’s not always about money though. Take Xena, a successful doctor working in policy and research. Outwardly, she seemed driven, able, and set for success. But inwardly, she was struggling with a regimented workplace culture and doubting whether she was truly making a difference. She felt stuck climbing a traditional career ladder.
Xena was trapped by the success myth – the idea that achieving promotion after promotion is all a career should be. Other people become trapped by work myths, like the idea you must keep busy all the time or maximize your productivity. And financial incentives can trap you too, either through the high salary itself, or the golden handcuffs promise of a future pay rise.
So what do you do when you feel trapped? Xena eventually took the plunge and started out on her own, finding a related line of work that was a better match for her.
These blinks will help you do the same, but first, you should consider this important question: Why do high achievers, in particular, have to grapple with these problems?
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What is The Success Trap about?
The Success Trap (2020) explains why so many talented, high-achieving people feel stuck in their jobs, despite their success. It also explains how to break out of this trap and embrace the many opportunities that the modern world of work has to offer.
The Success Trap Review
The Success Trap (2022) by Amina Aitsi-Selmi is a thought-provoking book that explores the pitfalls of relentless ambition and offers strategies for achieving balance and fulfillment. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its in-depth analysis and research-based insights, it provides a fresh perspective on success and challenges conventional notions.
- The book offers practical tips for navigating the pressures of achievement and finding true happiness, making it a valuable resource for personal growth.
- Through engaging stories and relatable examples, it keeps readers captivated and ensures that the exploration of success remains anything but boring.
Who should read The Success Trap?
- Successful people who still feel unfulfilled
- Professionals heading down a path they’re not sure about
- Freethinkers stuck in predictable jobs
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The Success Trap FAQs
What is the main message of The Success Trap?
The main message of The Success Trap is the pursuit of success can lead to unhappiness and burnout.
How long does it take to read The Success Trap?
The reading time for The Success Trap can vary, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Success Trap a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Success Trap is worth reading for its valuable insights into the downside of unlimited ambition and the importance of finding balance.
Who is the author of The Success Trap?
Amina Aitsi-Selmi is the author of The Success Trap.
What to read after The Success Trap?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Success Trap, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Flawsome by Georgia Murch
- Smart, Not Loud by Jessica Chen
- Either/Or by Soren Kierkegaard
- Procrastination by Jane B. Burka & Lenora M. Yuen
- Phaedo by Plato
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- Attention Span by Gloria Mark
- The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- Born For This by Chris Guillebeau