Something You Should Know

Why Success is Never Quite Good Enough & How Evolution Gave Us Free Will - SYSK Choice

12 snips
Nov 22, 2025
Laura Gassner Otting, an author and career expert, discusses her concept of 'Wonder Hell'—the unsettling feeling that follows achievement as new ambitions arise. She shares strategies for coping with these emotions and emphasizes that failure is a learning opportunity. Meanwhile, Kevin Mitchell, a genetics and neuroscience professor, delves into the debate on free will, arguing that while biology influences choices, it doesn't eliminate personal agency. He explores how our evolutionary past shapes our decision-making and its implications for morality.
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ADVICE

Make Voicemails Short And Specific

  • Keep voicemail messages under 15 seconds and include a single request to increase callbacks.
  • Include: one key fact, how it will feel when done, and one clear action to take.
INSIGHT

Success Opens A Burdened Opportunity Space

  • Wonderhell is the psychological space where new potential creates pressure and doubt after success.
  • It mixes excitement with imposter feelings, envy, and stress as new goals appear.
ANECDOTE

Author's Origin: From Bestseller To Wonderhell

  • Laura's book idea began when her prior bestseller left her wondering how to be number one.
  • She interviewed 100 high achievers to learn how they managed post-success pressures.
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