Highly successful people are often incredibly driven. This drive, this relentless hunger for more, usually stems from a place most would never suspect: childhood trauma.
It’s a common thread among the world’s most accomplished individuals.
Consider Oprah Winfrey, who rose from a troubled childhood to become one of the most influential figures in media. Or Michael Jordan, whose legendary competitiveness was fueled by a need to prove himself. Steve Jobs, too, was famously driven by the abandonment he felt as a child. These experiences, painful as they were, became the fuel for their incredible success.
But here’s the truth that few ever realize: the very drive that propels you to greatness can also become your prison.
You might think you’re making choices, but in reality, it’s your past—those unhealed traumas—that’s choosing for you.
Your mind has been programmed by your memories, and no matter how much you achieve, those traumas continue to drive you.
This is why, despite all your success, you often feel a gnawing sense of lack. It’s why, after winning one championship, you’re immediately fixated on the next. It’s why, after making $1 million, then $10 million, then $100 million, or even $1 billion, it’s still never enough.
The thrill of success is fleeting.
The momentary high of achievement quickly gives way to a deep-seated emptiness, a void you can’t quite identify.
So what do you do?
You set another goal, chase another target, push yourself harder, faster, and further. It’s an endless cycle that leaves you exhausted and unfulfilled.
The reason is simple yet profound…