Earlier this week I mentioned this was possibly Seth’s most important post.
Why do I say that? Because as a society, we allow others to define success. So we end up striving hard and sacrificing much in order to acheive someone else’s definition of success. Living for too little a goal.
My take on life is we each have our own measuring stick. This is true of businesses as well. If you’re adopting your definition of success from another person or adopting your company’s from the competition… you’ll probably fail even if you “succeed.”
This week, I heard the story of a man in our church. I’ve known him for a while. I have always been amazed by his involvement in leading others in the church and being involved in their lives. He seems very successful in many ways, including busienss. What I discovered this week was he capped his lifestyle early. He owns his own business and now only works 20 hours a week. The rest of his time is spent on his family and in ministry.
He has a different definition of success than many businessmen.
What’s the measuring stick you back your heels up to? Tiptoeing and stretching in order to feel tall? Have you ever wondered if being tall equals success?
Dustin,
Yikes, what a question. It’s one that I am/have been wrestling with for the last year. What do I want my days (ergo my life) to look like? What is the right blend of all that I want & need to accomplish, do and be?
I recently did an exercise where I wrote my own eulogy. Uh oh…there were some disconnects between how I want to be remembered and what I am doing today. And I’ve certainly been around long enough to know that if I want those two things to match up, I’d better start making the transition yesterday!
One of the questions I have rumbling around in my head is this: if I know where I want to be and I know where I am now…how do I create the roadmap to get me from point A to point B?
How about you — how do you measure success for yourself?
Thanks for your thoughts Drew.
As I suggest measuring success be tailored individually, it also means it is should be personal. So, I will be discussing my faith and my family.
My measure of success comes directly from the purpose for which I believe I was created… inspiration. So, as I measure myself against inspiration I have to ask certain questions:
“Am I experiencing inspiration in my own life?”
“Am I inspiring my family toward their God-defined purpose?”
“Am I inspiring individuals within my sphere of influence to enact the changes necessary in their lives to acheive the proper goals?”
The big question for me is “Am I doing what God created me, Dustin Staiger, to specifically do in life?”
That’s a measuring stick I CAN live up to, one I can be gratified in fulfilling, one that doesn’t compromise for too small a thing.
Dustin,
I could not agree more. Success is nothing but personal.
Like you, I know its about faith and family. I suspect, although you didn’t say so specifically, I can read between the lines of your comment and infer that like me, you also believe that our purpose has no boundaries. The ripples of our life extend beyond our family to friends, co-workers, peers, etc. etc. and I believe that God’s purpose for us does the same.
That’s part of where the balance question comes in for me. How many boards do you sit on, how much time do you devote to mentoring employees, how do you get your work done and still devote yourself to family, faith, personal growth et al.
Thank goodness life is a journey so we have plenty of time to do a U-turn if we figure out a better way!
Drew