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"Trying to seek joy through sensory gratification is like quenching your thirst by drinking saltwater." - a Buddhist proverb.

You would think that measuring success would be simple. Unfortunately, everyone's idea of success is so different that many of us get caught up in the "success conundrum." Because our yardsticks vary, the very idea of success becomes elusive. Secondly, it appears that enough is never enough, and thus, our concept of success keeps receding over the horizon. We, therefore, confuse joy and success with something material rather than immutable. So what is success? One sage so aptly stated:?“God is in the details.”?Here are six ways to beat the success conundrum and experience the joy, which should be every human being's birthright.

Success comes from being focused.

As a coach, I've witnessed how easy it is for the mind to succumb to the trivia of the workplace. I've also experienced that it tends to cha-cha if I don’t keep focused on the present moment. I recommend concentrating on a sound vibration to counter this phenomenon, which the Indians refer to as a mantra. Mantras underscore the practice of mindfulness. They are easy to use, and they are open to anyone. Mantras are nothing more than conscious energy vibrations. This energy vibration unleashes a chain of biochemical reactions, which give you this - "Wow, I feel great" phenomenon. Forget the naysayers. These reactions are natural, and scientists at NASA have documented them.

The ability to cultivate joy

Joy should be the fullest expression of your success. Basho said it best when he stated: "Orchid - breathing incense into butterfly's wings."

The critical term in Basho's statement is breath. The ingoing and outgoing breath constitute a sound, and this "Ham-sa" sound is the easiest of mantras to concentrate on. It is also the fullest expression of life itself. Mindfulness stems from the practice of concentration and can later be applied to any work activity. It keeps you balanced and absorbed in an uncluttered space and alive to the beauty around you.

The ability to cultivate joy is your most significant influence on increasing your happiness quotient. It provides you with a framework to alter your situation more positively. By doing so, you experience gratitude for what you have and who you are, and secondly, it lets you choose to be kind and generous. This is why experts share that when we can move beyond our suffering, we are more available to help others. I might also add that we cannot make our world a better place if we do not also aspire for this in our own lives.

The importance of saying “No.”

Another component of being successful is knowing when to say "no." You need not acquiesce to every demand that is put on your desk. Distractions can take a multitude of forms. They can include too many Zoom conference calls, text messages, and, well, you get the picture, an endless list of non-essential matters that you think are essential.

Learn to practice mindfulness

D.T. Suzuki used to exhort his cohorts to practice no-mind (another term for mindfulness). No mind clears the clutter from your conscious thought. You have the power not to respond to SMS. Should you be at a meeting with a purpose, be fully present at the forum, not text messaging your tailor to have your suit ready. Is it any wonder most people do not find joy at work when they are pulled in countless directions simultaneously??

Clearing your mind is a practical application of Zen. There is no mystery here. There is nothing magical. Just the common sense of not giving in to every whim your mind creates to destabilize your tranquillity or a sense of purpose.

Make a "to-do" list

Another good habit to acquire is making a "to-do" list in the morning before you begin to work. Include professional as well as non-professional activities. Both are necessary to underscore a holistic approach to living. Having a list gives you a clear field of operations. It also helps you relativise things. Clearing your mind is the perfect process to make this happen. Visiting a cluttered mind is similar to visiting a rubbish dump. You don’t know where to look first, and your first inclination is to run.

The power of "listing"

Another list worth making is of "things you should not do." That’s right, should not do. This can include eliminating patterns of behaviour, which are better to avoid indulging in. In essence, this list helps to reboot your inner hard drive. Bad and pointless habits can be gotten rid of in this way. Masters of old would pass on these bits of wisdom to their disciples. The contemporary business world could benefit from their insight. For example, generating empathy among your colleagues is beneficial to you and your people.

The importance of focusing

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the Hungarian-American psychologist, recognised and named the psychological concept of flow as a highly focused mental state. He described what yogis have known for millennia. He uses modern terminology to state that a vital activity is one where the participant is fully immersed in a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment. Furthermore, he asserts that a hallmark of flow is the joy one experiences while performing that task. He does not say that you should have no attachment to the result of the study. This bit of wisdom comes to us from Lord Krishna when he explains the whole point about work to Arjuna. This is just one reason we counsel people to consult the Gita, where much?management wisdom is shared, which should be fundamental reading for any business administration student.?

Love what you do

Enthusiasm should play a seminal role in any definition of success. It does not matter what work you do. It impacts your motivation and how you interact with others. It affects the quality of your management, teamwork, and leadership role if you are in a position of responsibility. Failure to act with conscientiousness leads to terrible results and disharmony. As Lao Tse would say, harmony and joy amount to maintaining a “balance in all things.”

Bringing it back home

Challenges happen. Whether you are searching for them or not. Best to be prepared by shifting your context, attitude, and mindset. Learn to cultivate your inner garden to paraphrase Voltaire, and when you do, you won't need to look for success; you will embody success itself.

About the author

Andrew Scharf is an Award-Winning MBA Admissions Consultant ?? Executive & Career Coach recognised for helping top performers, and aspiring professionals be all they can be. His?mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world at?Whitefield Consulting. Have a professional project you would like to discuss, send him a DM.