Avoiding the Arrival Fallacy
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Once I achieve ________, or once ________ happens, all will be well"? While this continual push into the future is a common human tendency, it can deeply harm our ability to claim peace and hope in the moment.
Behavioral scientist and Harvard lecturer Tal Ben Shahar coined the term "arrival fallacy" to describe the commonly held illusion that "once we make it, once we attain our goal or reach our destination, we will reach lasting happiness." The arrival fallacy is a precarious way to live, Shahar acknowledges, pulling us ever-further from Christ's promise of full joy and deep-set peace in even the most challenging times.
Here are four reasons why the arrival fallacy can be uniquely damaging to our well-being:
Having a false sense of completion: We end up feeling like Sisyphus from Greek mythology, forever pushing a boulder up a hill.
Not enjoying the process: We toil for so long to reach a goal that we resent working in a perceived all-or-nothing pursuit.
Career deferral: We keep waiting to be validated with a title or responsibility, or have enough time and money, only to fail to reach our God-given potential.
Chasing an illusion: We heighten our expectations of happiness, and upon reaching our goal (better salary or title or more power), we find it unsatisfying, leaving us either disenchanted or hungry for something else.
What is your tendency toward "arrival fallacy," whether in considering a major career move or something as simple as time with family? How will you use those moments to instead turn to the Lord, seeking His peace and promises rather than the fleeting assurances of a fallen world?
Have a blessed Thanksgiving,
Jennie