When we say someone is successful, we generalize.
Success doesnāt mean wealth, riches, or influence. The literal meaning of success is desirable outcome of any effort.
In Mesopotamia, someone having agricultural land was successful.
In Buddhist monasteries, someone who has overcome anger is successful.
On Wall Street, someone having lots of money is successful.
Unfortunately, we often associate success solely with wealth due to our tendency to view life through the lens of Wall Street.
But thatās flawed thinking.
What if we took a step back and questioned this definition of success?
That's where redefining success comes ināa powerful tool to help us align our choices with our values and dreams.
Let's dive into a framework that can guide us on this transformative journey.
Success, at its core, is an expression of authenticity.
It's about aligning our actions and choices with our true selves.
If you are a film lover, but work 8 hours at a book shop. Your actions are not aligned with your true self.
To begin, delve into your psyche and examine your values, passions, and aspirations. Peel back the layers of societal expectations to discover your authentic desires.
Here's a simple framework to get you started.
1. Rethink happiness
Shift your focus from external markers of success to inner fulfillment.
Weāve been told to believe success leads to happiness.
But itās the other way around: happiness leads to success.
Hereās what Richard Branson thinks of it.
In this LinkedIn article, Branson further explains how he measures success.
āMost people would assume my business success, and the wealth that comes with it, have brought me happiness. But I know I am successful, wealthy and connected because I am happy. I wholeheartedly believe that happiness should be everyoneās goal.ā
But most of us are not thinking like Branson. Instead we believe that external achievements will bring us lasting joy.
2. Reflect on your values
What matters most to you in life?
The joy of creativity
The thrill of adventure
The warmth of family bonds
or something entirely unique to you.
Take the time to identify your core values and write them down. It helps lay the foundation to creating a meaningful definition of success.
Imagine this š
You're walking through a bustling marketplace, surrounded by vendors selling their wares.
Each stall represents a different value, enticing you with its unique offerings.
You carefully choose the ones that resonate with you, building a collection of values that form the backbone of your personal success.
3. Define success on your own terms
Armed with your core values, it's time to craft your personal definition of success.
First, define what is success for you.
Is it having the freedom to travel the world?
Pursuing a career in a field you're passionate about?
Having a close-knit community of friends and family?
Write down your definition of success and make it specific.
Think of success like a tailored suitāit must be designed to fit you perfectly.
Forget the one-size-fits-all definition. It's about creating a bespoke version that reflects your unique aspirations and desires.
4. Take purposeful action
With your new definition of success in hand, it's time to embark on the journey towards living it.
This might involve making tough choices, taking calculated risks, or letting go of societal expectations.
Embrace the power of intention and purposefully shape your life around your own vision of success.
Think of it this way š
You're an architect, designing the blueprint of your life.
Each decision, each brick laid down, contributes to the grand structure that reflects your individualized version of success.
With every step forward, you're one step closer to realizing your dreams.
Letās summarize.
Rethink happiness
Reflect on values
Define success
Take action
š” Takeaway: You are the author of your success story
We don't have to live according to someone else's definition of success; we can create our own and pursue it with intention and purpose.
Hereās my personal take on success
To me, success is more about time than money.
The concept of a ātime billionaireā changed how I think about wealth.
Two years ago, I decided I donāt want to be a money billionaire, but a time billionaire.
Being aware of the shortness of life, I wanted time to enjoy myself, spend time with kids, and work on ideas that might impact lives of others, not just my own.
I didnāt want to retire at 60. I wanted to semi-retire at 30. But that doesnāt mean I donāt work anymore. I work, but it never feels like work.
Before that
My life was about waking up and rushing to huntālike all animals of the jungle.
Because I wanted a million dollar bank, a posh car, a villa, and exotic vacations. I thought these things would fulfill me or allow me to hide my insecurities.
But that was a lie the media, school, and corporations sold to me.
Nowā¦
I wake up to live my life to the fullest.
This morning, I spent 2 hours in my mothers tiny garden and then I chose to spend my day playing computer games.
I donāt make a million dollar, but enough by helping my two (very close and dear to my heart) clients. Those clients want me to join them full-time, but I say no.
I donāt hunt for getting more clients. Even if people reach out, I say no. Because their $X/hour offer is very expensive for me.
It will take my time. I donāt want to make that trade off.
I wont give my time to making more money, but I will definitely give all my time to the pursuit of curiosity, knowledge, and absurd ideas.
To conclude.
By destroying the old notions of success, we free ourselves from the chains of societal expectations.
We reclaim our autonomy and learn to measure success not by external accolades, but by our ability to live authentically and find joy in the journey.
Together, let's break free from the confines of outdated ideas and forge a new pathāa path that celebrates our individual uniqueness.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Thatās it for today.
See you next week,
Hassaan