Having early success is daunting (what if I never reach that level again?!) but can also be liberating.
There's an interview with Matt Damon where he discusses how winning an Oscar at such a young age freed him. He was no longer chasing that (probably unobtainable) goal and could focus on doing what he wanted.
> Having early success is daunting (what if I never reach that level again?!) but can also be liberating.
Reminds me of a "where are they now?" article I read about a football team that won the world cup. They had achieved the highest possible success in their sport, most of them in their 20s.
One managed to go to a world cup again as a coach and reach the final. Some of became TV commentators. Many became coaches, often in lower leagues.
Only one left the sport entirely, invested his money and lived in Florida.
Makes me think of Nobel laureates and the claim I saw a few times, that getting the award is usually the peak of one's career. The reasoning goes, even though the award is proof of competence + a door opener, and should lead to even better results in the future, constantly worrying about living up to the reputation puts a brake on one's work.
I've heard similar things said about novelists, too.
There's an interview with Matt Damon where he discusses how winning an Oscar at such a young age freed him. He was no longer chasing that (probably unobtainable) goal and could focus on doing what he wanted.