Success is something we would all like to experience in life, but what does success really mean to you? Before you can plan out a strategy on how to effectively reach your objectives in life, you really must know what it is you are trying to achieve. I challenge you to take some time to think about what success means. What kinds of endeavors would bring you a sense of true accomplishment and make your life more meaningful?
As human beings, we tend to place our focus on factors outside of ourselves that we believe will make us feel successful. For example, people who pursue wealth might define success based on the acquisition of property, purchasing a dream home or exotic vehicles. Those pursuing a successful relationship might define success as having a lasting marriage, a large family or the resources to travel together. Those pursuing a successful career might define success as achieving a certain title, having influence on company decisions, or opening up their own business.
When we pursue success based on the belief that the acquisition of possessions equates to inner happiness, then our focus shifts away from ourselves and towards material gain. We think we will feel wealthy when we have that fancy car to drive, or we will feel loved when we take our family on that dream vacation or we will feel valuable when the company promotes us to a higher position. Viewing success in this light forces us to rely on certain predetermined standards that we equate with happiness, and presupposes that we cannot feel successful until our goals are achieved.
Let’s think a little more about material gains by examining them in relation to the happiness of the people who already possess them. Are there people who have large homes and exotic sports cars who suffer from depression or drug abuse? Do you know a couple who seemed to have the perfect marriage, until they separated in a scandalous divorce? Have you ever heard of a top level executive of a company committing suicide? Every day, we see “successful” people suffering the very same emotional afflictions as the people we deem “unsuccessful”.
When we look at the unhappy people who already possess the things we want in life, we clearly see that there has to be more to success than just reaching our future goals of material wealth. Our primary goal in life, therefore, should first aim to achieve happiness with our current position along our journey. When we achieve happiness in the present moment, then we can guarantee a feeling of success before and after we reach all of our other goals.
Make happiness your goal today, understanding that success follows those who pursue life mastery through self-mastery.