Make success personal. Define success to be what you want. Determine what it is for you in particular. It is different for each of us. The pressure to conform to other people’s and society’s few and narrow definitions of success is profound. That’s probably why there are so many unhappy “successful” people. If more people would take the time and effort to make success personal, there would be more satisfied people in the world.
Our society, by way of the media, defines success very narrowly. It primarily involves the acquisition of money, things, power, and celebrity. Many people are also pressured by parents, teachers, mentors, and peers to conform to a common list of accomplishments that fall into their shared definition of success.
The problem with this is that each of us is different from everyone else in many ways. So a narrow definition of success is very limiting. We all have different dreams, potential, and purpose. If we were all able to follow our hearts and discover the things we do best and make us happiest, our society would would likely have lower levels of depression and higher levels of creativity in all fields.
Personal Success
This definition of success from my ADHD blog is much more personalized and, I believe, ultimately far more satisfying. Magical things happen when a person follows their heart and chooses their own path. They are able to achieve amazing things. But most important, they are happier. And society (that’s all of us) is better off. Would you rather entrust your health to a doctor who loves what he or she does and truly resonates with the care of others OR would you rather have a doctor who became one just to satisfy his or parents and to make a good living? I have experienced both types of doctors and the difference is huge. The same goes for all fields. Whenever I interview someone for a job, whether at a company or to perform work on my home, I ask them what they like about their field and the prospective job in particular. And then I listen. I listen for an answer that expresses passion for the work that is intrinsic in nature. I am far more likely to hire a person or use their services if they love what they do and what they are doing for me is part of their strategy for personal success. These people always do a great job.
It takes courage to buck the trend and look past what people in your life and society say success should be for you. But if you can manage to do this and forge your own way, you will be more likely to find happiness that is not tied to so many things out of your control. This is why make success personal is a tenet of Jar the Ground.
There is much more to the concept that we should make success personal. If you would like to learn more contact me here. If you would like to schedule a Jar The Ground talk for your organization feel free to contact me via the “Book a Speaking Engagement” menu bar link above.
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