You and only you, know if you’ve achieved your goals and potential on the path to a better life. .
I recently had a conversation that kind of rocked me. I thought I was fairly rock solid in my belief, my path but this one sentence got me thinking (ok, overthinking). Choosing how we react is something I go on about . I could moan and stomp my feet, declaring this comment / opinion ‘unfair’ or I can find the positive in it. Guess which I chose?
This comment was on how I’ve lead my professional life and at first it hit me square between the eyes (and heart) as a slight with the slant that I had somehow failed in my career. I am 100% sure that this wasn’t intended but that’s how it landed with me.
Today, whilst out a walk with the dog in gale force winds I was again thinking about this and had a breakthrough about it - I decide my measure of success.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein
Decide Your Own Scale
This person’s view of what success looks like is different from my own. By their scale, yes, I admit it, my professional career hasn’t been a success. But I’m not measuring my success by their scale - this fish ain't about to climb a tree to prove their worth.
Define your own goals. You probably have a subconscious idea of how you are getting on in life but take 5 minutes to have a think and clearly define what success would look like and feel like. Don’t set your goalposts by comparing to someone else. You are on your own path. You know what makes you tick. You know what it feels like when you know it’s just ! You know what you’d like out of life. You know how you feel about your current position. No-one. Else. Does. No-one else’s opinion matters. Sure they can have an opinion but don’t let it inside. Take it as their opinion, their observations from the outside but don’t let their opinions sway you.
Our scales are different (no fish pun intended!)
To one person getting out of bed might be success. To another the takeover of a Multi-billion dollar deal. Both are equally valid.
But always try to strive for progress and always take a minute to recognise your successes. We’re not very good at that.
So take a few minutes to define your goals for a better life, where are you going? And take a few minutes to acknowledge your successes measured by YOUR criteria. And with that I think I’ll go treat myself to a celebratory cup of coffee! Go ME!!
Have a great Day! Enjoy.
K