Define Success For Yourself
Dear Essentialists,
Thank you for reading today, really.
Here is a question I have thought about for many years: What holds otherwise successful people from breaking through to the next level?
One surprising answer I have found is this: success.
Much of what has been written about success focuses on how to become successful in the first place. Almost nothing has been written about what to do once you are. While that may seem like a nicer problem to have, it doesn't make it less of a problem. Success can be a catalyst for failure.
Enter Ryan Holiday. Holiday is the author of many bestselling books including "Stillness is the Key." He has studied leaders in Greece and Rome in order to learn how to be successful at success. Listen here.
Here is one way you can apply this episode immediately:
Set a timer for five minutes and use that time to define success for yourself.
Don't worry about what it was for you in the past. Start with a clean sheet: "What does success mean for you now and why?"
Thank you, again, for reading this.
Greg
p.s. A shout out to Mary M. who wrote of the podcast this week, "Greg interviews some brilliant people, well worth subscribing." Listen and subscribe here.
Sharing the balanced life with influencers
4 年?Greg McKeown I enjoyed the podcast with Ryan Holiday. Time to focus is an ancient concept. In Psalm 46.10 we read?“Be still and know that I am God …” Thus, essential knowing is a relationship with the divine. With that foundation, I'm positioned to say YES to the essential few.
VP, Operations & Delivery @ Bam Digital | Sharing insights through Systems & Accountability Coaching | Podcast Host |
4 年Great quote from Ryan.. it’s not only not too late, it’s something we should be doing ongoing. I believe a scheduled evaluation of priorities and experiences should be happening regularly considering the sheer amount and speed at which most of us now consume information in our lives.
manufacturing engineer with a focus on driving streamlined manufacturing processes from product design to successful completion. Offering over 5 years’ expertise in improve product quality and reduce costs.
4 年thanks
Community Alchemist, Speaker, Healing-centered engagement and HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) facilitator, Safer and Brave Space Designer, Author “What’s STRONG With You?”
4 年I remember when I did this exercise while I was going through chemotherapy- success meant intentionally carving out periods of connection with myself and with those I love. It still is an integral part of my definition now 6 years later, and it's so easy to lose track of this. Thank you for this post Greg McKeown - a great reminder of what holds true for me and my definition of success!