Many of us are prisoners of our own success. Maybe we started our
careers with a goal of climbing the corporate ladder, or earning
$100,000 per year, or another milestone we wanted to achieve.
We then achieve “success”, are respected by our peers, have a
nice big house full of great stuff, take nice vacations... And
yet, we often think, “Is this all that there is?” We have a sense
of emptiness inside.
I think many of us experience this “mid-life crisis” because we
have borrowed society’s definition of success instead of crafting
our own definition of personal success.
Take a moment and write down the Definition of Success that has
guided your decisions and actions up until now. You don’t have to
agree with it, but put down on paper what has been lurking in
your mind.
Where did you get your current definition of success? Is this
your parents’ or teacher’s or spouse’s definition?
Do you agree with your current definition of success in your
heart? Does it make you feel inspired and ambitious? Or are you
trapped by a definition of success that you don’t even agree to?
It’s time to create your very own personalized definition of
success.
Here are some alternative definitions of success for you to
consider and reflect upon:
“Too often, people focus only on results. But getting results
without learning something or without having fun are incomplete.
So is having fun without getting the results, or having fun
without learning something new to help and empower you in the
future. Accomplishment is all three: the result, personal growth,
and having fun.”
- Peter L. Hirsch
“There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one
component….But success also include good health, energy and
enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom,
emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and
peace of mind.”
- Deepak Chopra
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and
loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the
love of little children; who has filled his niche and
accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he
found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a
rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in
others and given them the best he had; who life was an
inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”
- Bessie Stanley as published in the Lincoln
Sentinel on Nov. 30, 1905. Mrs. Stanley won $250
in an essay contest by the George Livingston
Richards Co of Boston, MA
What is YOUR definition of success? If you found yourself at the
end of this lifetime, what would you like to be remembered for?
Would your current occupation, career, and accomplishments make
you feel like a success? What would you regret either having done
or not having done?
Remember, you are free to change this definition of success on a
daily, weekly, or yearly basis. Have fun. Put pen to paper and do
a draft version.
MY DEFINITION OF SUCCESS:
Make several copies of your Definition of Success and hang it
where you can see it: your bathroom mirror, your computer, the
dashboard of your car, the refrigerator, etc.
Does your definition inspire you? Give you energy? Does it
inspire you to work and play and have fun? If not, tweak it
until it does.
Now, given your definition, where are you on a scale of 1-10?
What is missing in your life? What do you want to change?
This is not a process of beating yourself up or dwelling on the
past. You are creating a definition to pull you forward and
inspire your tomorrows. (If you are having trouble with this
exercise, please visit http://www.corporaterebels.com for more
guidance.)
After absorbing your new definition of success, are you inspired
to stay in your current job or seek something more to your liking
and better suited to your natural talents? If you decide to make
a change, consider hiring an unconventional career coach who can
guide you through the process and make it easy and fun!
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