"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity". - Thomas Wolfe
How do you measure success?
This is a routine question I ask of all those I work with – just how do you measure success?
The answers I receive are lumped into two buckets:
1. Material Success
2. Authentic Success
There is a significant difference between these two – huge difference. One can be easily measured; the other is state of being that we all strive for. Material success is measured in the trappings – money, material things, robust social relationships, home, cars, and the list can go one. These are the things we can put on hands on and touch – feel – count. We can show others. We can show off. But at the end of the day, is that real success?
Authentic success is a higher level of spirit. It is reaching that level in life where you have the time, energy and resources to pursue personal pursuits that give you true pleasure. It is being able to truly devote to your family or those close to you. It is never having to say “maybe next year”. It is knowing that every day you have done your perfect best and if you were to die tomorrow, you would leave without regret. Yes it is about accumulating resources, but for and with a purpose – to pay your bills with some left over to save, to indulge in your wants and share your success with others. That makes you feel good. That is authentic success.
Those who have reached a level of authentic success are focused, serene and in-control in their work. They are not frazzled or fragmented. Above all, it is knowing and accepting that the best you can do is all you can do and that the best is always enough. We are so often trying to just beat someone else, to leg a leg up on a co-worker and always pushing, pushing and pushing. Don’t get me wrong – I am a true believer in pushing hard to achieve your goals and dreams --- but there is a point that one has to breath out and saw – well done Dan. Those who measure success materially usually don’t reach that plateau. Money breeds a need for more money; getting things means having to get more things. It is a vicious cycle.
Authentic success is also knowing that you have contributed in some way – to a person in need, an organization in need or lifted the spirit of a person through your words, smile or touch. I think one statement can sum it up: Achieving authentic success is reaching that defining point in life that being is as important as doing and pursing a dream is your every day activity and counting how abundant you life is today. It is not being ruled by fear.
Why is this important for matters of career? Too many chase the carrot without looking at an opportunity – or changing their situation – to reach a real level of success – authentic success. The money matters more, the prestige rules, the stress continues and the heart and mind never rest. Plan your moves to achieve success – the success that really make a difference.
Your viewpoint on life will change. You will be abundant. You will live each day and not just survive.
And thank you for reading this. - Dan
Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment