Desperation, Targets, and Success: Navigating Life’s Pressures

In life, everyone has goals they want to achieve—be it personal growth, career milestones, or financial stability. These goals often take time, effort, and perseverance. However, when the journey becomes overwhelming, many people fall into a state of desperation. This desperation can cloud their thinking, causing them to overestimate their abilities, take hasty decisions, and ultimately harm themselves rather than foster positive growth.

The Desperation Trap:

Desperation often stems from the desire to reach targets quickly. The stress of not being able to achieve what you want can create a distorted perception of reality. A person may start believing that while they’re struggling, everyone else is living a peaceful, problem-free life. This mental state can be extremely isolating and prevents people from appreciating their small achievements along the way.

For instance, consider a young entrepreneur who, in the rush to succeed, works long hours and takes on an enormous amount of stress. They might look at others—successful business owners or even friends with stable jobs—and assume those individuals have had an easier path. This kind of comparison not only leads to frustration but also minimizes the significance of the entrepreneur’s own progress. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 72% of Americans feel stressed about money, work, or the economy , proving that stress is a common shared experience, not an isolated one.

Hasty Decisions and Overestimation of Abilities:

Desperation can often lead to poor decision-making. When someone is overly stressed, they tend to make impulsive decisions, thinking that any action is better than no action. This sense of urgency often leads to mistakes. An example of this is seen in the world of investing. Many new investors, driven by the desire to get rich quickly, jump into risky investments like cryptocurrencies or penny stocks. Lured by stories of overnight millionaires, they often overestimate their own ability to understand the market and end up losing money.

In psychology, this behavior can be linked to “optimism bias,” where people believe they are less likely to experience a negative outcome compared to others . In the context of desperation, this bias can push individuals to take reckless actions, mistakenly assuming they are invulnerable to failure.

Societal Pressures and Financial Desperation:

Society places a great deal of pressure on individuals to succeed, especially in terms of financial stability. In many cultures, being financially secure is tied to self-worth and social status. This is particularly true in developing countries, where opportunities are limited and the gap between the rich and the poor is vast. People often feel compelled to take extreme measures to escape poverty, including migrating to wealthier nations by any means necessary.

For example, in many parts of Africa and Latin America, people risk their lives to cross dangerous borders in search of better opportunities. According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 5,000 migrants died or went missing during migration in 2021 alone . Many of these individuals knew the risks involved, but desperation for a better life drove them to take the chance. Unfortunately, for many, life does not improve after reaching their destination. Migrants often face discrimination, isolation, and difficulties related to their legal status in the new country.

The Costs of Migration Driven by Desperation:

Once abroad, many migrants find that the “promised land” isn’t as welcoming as they imagined. They are frequently treated as second-class citizens or even criminals due to their undocumented status. For instance, undocumented workers in the United States often take on low-wage jobs, with little to no protection under labor laws. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 8 million unauthorized immigrants were part of the U.S. workforce as of 2017 , yet they faced numerous hardships, from exploitation by employers to a constant fear of deportation.

Even when these individuals try to return home after achieving a degree of financial stability, they often feel like outsiders. Family dynamics may have shifted, and societal changes in their home country can make reintegration difficult. Many return home only to realize that the sense of belonging they sought has been lost during their absence. 

A real-world example can be found in the experiences of migrant workers from South Asia who go to the Gulf States for labor. While they send money back home, which supports their families and local economies, many of them live in poor conditions, disconnected from their families, and face challenges upon their return due to cultural shifts at home .

The Human Tendency to Become Desperate:

Desperation is a universal human condition. It often stems from comparing one’s life to others and feeling inadequate. Social media exacerbates this issue, as people are constantly bombarded with images of others seemingly leading perfect lives. According to a report by the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK, social media use has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people . When people see curated images of success, happiness, and wealth, they can easily feel discontent with their own lives.

In everyday life, we see this with professionals striving for career success. For example, an individual working long hours in a corporate environment might look at a peer who was promoted more quickly and feel like they’re falling behind, despite making solid progress themselves. This can lead to burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion—just because they are comparing their pace with others.

Being Conscious and Cautious in Decision-Making:

While it is natural to feel the pressures of life and career, it’s important to recognize when desperation is taking over. Practicing mindfulness and taking a step back to evaluate decisions can help avoid rash actions. It’s not easy to tell someone to “be content” or “have patience,” as everyone has their own ambitions and struggles. But awareness of desperation and its potential consequences can lead to more thoughtful, measured decisions.

A useful strategy is adopting what psychologists call a “growth mindset,” which emphasizes learning from failures rather than being crushed by them. As Carol Dweck, a leading researcher in the field of motivation, notes, people with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow, rather than threats to their success .

Conclusion:

Desperation, when unchecked, can lead to poor decisions, unnecessary risks, and emotional isolation. It affects all aspects of life, from personal goals to financial decisions and migration in search of a better future. Understanding the sources of desperation—whether societal pressure, financial instability, or the overwhelming desire for success—is key to avoiding its pitfalls.

Rather than rushing toward targets with a sense of urgency, it’s important to take a step back and approach life with patience and mindfulness. Success does not come overnight, and while the road can be difficult, it is better to progress slowly and steadily than to be driven into desperation. In the words of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” .

Works Cited:

1. American Psychological Association. “Stress in America: Paying with Our Health.” APA, 2015.
2. Sharot, Tali. *The Optimism Bias: A Tour of the Irrationally Positive Brain*. Vintage Books, 2012.  
3. International Organization for Migration (IOM). “Missing Migrants Project.” IOM, 2021. 
4. Pew Research Center. “5 Facts About Illegal Immigration in the U.S.” Pew Research Center, 2019.  
5. Human Rights Watch. “Migrant Workers in Qatar: Exploitation and Abuse.” HRW, 2014.  
6. Royal Society for Public Health. “#StatusOfMind: Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing.” RSPH, 2017.  
7. Dweck, Carol. *Mindset: The New Psychology of Success*. Ballantine Books, 2006.
8. Lao Tzu. *Tao Te Ching*. Multiple Translations.