Newsletter #14 - Inside-Out Success

What does success means to me?

Luckily, I asked myself this question at the right time in my life.

My college was finally ending, and I had no interest in doing anything related to my studies. (Tbh, I didn't study at all)

I had to start all over again.

As I started asking myself what success means to me,

It was pretty simple. (Simple, not easy)

Success was always about doing something I love and living a happy, peaceful, fulfilling life.

It was doing something I would love to do no matter how much I got paid.

(I knew that money was important, but for me, the more important was to stay happy. So, I was willing to choose uncertainty over stability)

Then I asked myself, what makes me happy, what do I love doing, what makes me come alive?

These were the 3 things that came up back then,

• Mountains.
• Physical activity.
• Exploring new places and meeting new people

Basically, something to do with travel.

I found a perfect job that would provide all of this, applied for it, and got rejected in the final round.

(Told you, it's not easy.)

However, that rejection was just another stepping stone to finding what I would love to do. I didn't get disheartened by one rejection.

In fact, it became fuel to work on the areas where I was lacking and needed to get out of my comfort zone.

The important thing is that I looked at it as feedback and started working to face my fears.

(I also believed something better is in store)

A few months later, I asked myself again what success means to me.

Again, it was doing something I would love to do, something that's like a play to me.

It was that time when I was listening to Alan Watts, and it became clear that I was here to 'play,' I was not here to work.

However, it required a lot of work to figure out how I could 'play.'

(Play doesn't mean easy)

I asked myself what would "play" look like to me now, and these things came up,

• Be my own Boss.
• Work from anywhere in the world.
• Use my knowledge and wisdom to empower people.
• Do something where I am continually learning and growing.

Other than work, here is what else I wanted to do and how I started defining success for me

• I wanted to write and express my thoughts, but I had no idea where to start writing. I wasn't even able to articulate 2 sentences.
• I wanted to be disciplined and wake up early and have healthy habits; I cannot even begin to tell you how messed up my lifestyle was.
• I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and face my fears.
• I wanted to understand myself and how my mind-body works more profoundly.

What I have learned now is that the idea of success is ever-evolving and will keep changing.

However, rather than the outcome, it's the process that matters the most.

When you do it for yourself, for your own happiness, without anyone's expectations, it will be natural to choose something that you will enjoy, something that is more satisfying and fulfilling.

Even if it means getting out of your comfort zone and doing the uncomfortable. (Doesn't mean stressing yourself out)

Since I became clear on what I wanted, I have always felt successful because I was always in love with the process.?

The process made it clear that I was walking in the right direction.

Our idea of success is so flawed when it is based on what others define success to be.

We hardly give ourselves enough time to ponder what we really want and unconsciously keep following and fitting into that idea of success defined by our parents, society, or other people.

Once we have that job, we keep looking for the next big thing, hoping it will make our life perfect.

It's the same idea: Study for class 10th, and life will be perfect, and then study for 12th, then life will be perfect, and so on.

Well, how did that work out? (lol)

Why is this external idea of success so flawed?

Because each of us is unique, we come from different backgrounds, experiences, personalities, and tendencies.?

How is it even possible to fit into one similar idea of success?

It's like buying the same clothes that other people are wearing without trying to see what fits you, what is your size, what clothes make you comfortable, and what colors you love wearing.

Success doesn't really exist on the outside; it starts from the inside, it starts from how you want to feel daily, and it can start from very simple things.

You will only feel successful when you are clear about what you want and if you can see through why you want it.

Many people are successful in the minds of others, but very few are successful in their own minds.

What is your idea of success? When will you feel successful?

You cannot define success for yourselves until and unless you take enough time to introspect and become clear about what you really want and why you want it.

What would you do if no one was watching?

What would you do if you had nothing to prove to anyone?

What would you do if there was nothing to fear?

What would you do if you could do anything?

Question of the Week

Last week I asked the question,

What has life taught you the easy way?

Here is my answer,

If you think life hasn't taught you anything the easy way, you haven't been paying attention.

Of course, the lessons life teaches us the hard way are easier to remember, for we know how much pain we experienced before we learned those lessons.

Life has taught me so many things the hard way and even more so the easy way.

I am very fortunate, for I learned one of the most profound life lessons the easy way.

It was just after I had finished 2 years in Kota, and I was leaving my hostel; it was a moment of insight out of nowhere, and I thought to myself, wow, this is over so soon.

Two years went like a flash. I guess this is how life is going to be.

Before you know it, it will be over.

Change is the only constant. So rather than reminiscing the past and pondering how good or bad it was, it's always better to focus on what will be next.

It is one of the reasons why I never missed my college life, and believe me when I say so; I had the most amazing, exciting college life. I had the fun of my life.

Only when it was over, I never believed that 'fun' or the best part of my life was over.

I always believed "the best is yet to come," and I still go with the same mindset.?

Therefore I always look forward to and embrace change.

Question for the next edition of the Newsletter,

What was your most important victory of 2022?

Book of the Week

This is the book I gifted to most people this year.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

It's like the bible of self-love and understanding how what we think creates how we feel and, as a result, how we act and, as a result, the quality of life we live.

It also focuses the spotlight on numerous limiting beliefs and self-concepts, such as,

• I am too old
• I am too young
• I am too short
• I am too lazy
• I am not good enough.
• I am not that kind of person.

and many more.

This is one of those books which is meant to be read again and again.

Okay Bye.

Love and Cheers.

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