“I love the challenge … it’s one of the greatest joys of my life, but does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”
That was the killer quote from a recent interview with the world’s number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, that went viral this week. And I think this one went viral for a reason: It taps into a universal truth or two about humanity that we know at a subconscious level, but that rarely shines through the manic malaise of our achievement-oriented culture.
Life Goes On
“It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for a few minutes – it only lasts a few minutes, that euphoric feeling,” Sheffler further explained. “You win it, you celebrate, get to hug my family, my sister’s there, it’s such an amazing moment. Then it’s like, ‘OK, what are we going to eat for dinner?’ You know, life goes on.”
While his language is a touch more approachable, Sheffler is practically quoting ancient wisdom literature attributed to the world’s then (in the 10th century, BC) number one, King Solomon, in Ecclesiastes:
“Then I considered all that my hands had done… and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
Interestingly enough, that fading feeling is explained in the field of behavioral economics through the term “hedonic adaptation.” This theory notes that we, as humans, can marshal an enormous amount of energy to achieve certain goals, only to experience a pretty rapid dilution of the intensity felt in peak moments.
The Upside Of The “Hedonic Treadmill”
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, right? I mean, think about this for a second. What if you only ever achieved your first goal and stayed satisfied with it forever?
We wouldn’t have made it out of middle or high school! You’d still be stuck in your first job. We’d only have Yo‑Yo Ma’s Simple Gifts to enjoy—possibly fully satisfying, if he hadn’t later collaborated with Alison Krauss. And we wouldn’t even know the name Scottie Sheffler, because he would’ve stopped after breaking 100 on his home course, or maybe shooting under par for the first time.
Yes, on the one hand, perpetually chasing the next shiny achievement can, and often does, lead to an insatiable spirit of striving that can land us with a full resume but an empty life. But there is a healthier version of this narrative that can fully appreciate a desired outcome and still propel us forward to the next.
The other upside of hedonic adaptation is that it doesn’t just apply to the good and great things we experience, but also to the bad and even horrible. Yes, humans are designed to bounce back pretty quickly, and that, too, is explained by hedonic adaptation.
So, What Truly Satisfies?
So, if being the very best in the world at something doesn’t provide lasting satisfaction, what does? Here again, Scottie seems to be channeling ancient wisdom. Solomon advised, “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your fleeting life… For this is your portion in life…” while Sheffler similarly signals the deeper fulfillment found in his family, even suggesting that it is the service of his family that adds meaning to his work as a professional golfer:
“Every day when I wake up early to go put in the work, my wife thanks me for going out and working so hard. When I get home, I try and thank her every day for taking care of our son.… I’d much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer. At the end of the day, that’s what’s more important to me.”
Personally, I believe that it would be an oversimplification to suggest that the only avenue in life for genuine fulfillment is family. It may be Sheffler’s (and it is a very big part of mine), but not everyone has a spouse, partner, or children. And some people do derive a significant amount of satisfaction from their work.
I believe that Arthur Brooks, social scientist, Harvard professor, and best-selling author—may summarize it best: “Money, power, pleasure, and fame won’t make you happy. Faith, family, friends, and meaningful work will.”
Scottie Scheffler’s raw revelation—“This is not a fulfilling life…I’d much rather be a great father than a great golfer”—reveals the distance between short-lived triumphs and enduring satisfaction. Like Solomon’s “vanity… a striving after wind,” and like the rapid fade of joy described by modern psychology as hedonic adaptation, these highs—even the mountaintop moments—don’t fill the soul for long.
What Can We Do?
So, what ways can we navigate success and failure to suit the science and nudge us ever further to lasting joy?
- Pause after wins and take time to recover after losses. There is still enjoyment to be experienced and pain to be processed. How long it lasts depends on our psyche and the situation. But by all means, let’s not rush through these momentous occasions.
- Consider Brooks’ framework—“faith, family, friends, and meaningful work”—and rate yourself on your areas of strength and weakness.
- Take one step in the direction of your discernment. It could be as simple as leaving a surprise note for your spouse, taking your daughter on a date, exploring moments of meaning in your work, or grounding your life within a worldview or faith journey that is calling.
Scheffler’s confessions—wrapped in ancient wisdom and modern psychology—are not an argument against ambition, but an invitation: Let our victories move us forward, not define us. And let our lasting fulfillment be found in the people we love, the grief we overcome, and the service we offer.
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