Servant Leaders Not Only Choose Success, They Also Choose to Live a Life of Significance

Imagine standing on the shore of a vast, tranquil ocean, watching the waves roll in and out. Each wave represents a moment in your life, a series of accomplishments, setbacks, joys, and sorrows. As you gaze out, you realize that the ocean’s true beauty isn’t in any single wave, but in the endless expanse of water that stretches beyond the horizon, its depth and mystery.

This is what it means to live a life of significance. It's about seeing beyond the individual waves of success—the promotions, the accolades, the financial milestones—and recognizing the profound depth of your existence, the enduring impact you can have on the world around you.

When you focus solely on success, it’s like chasing those waves, celebrating each one as it comes, but feeling a constant pressure to catch the next, and the next, and the next. There's an excitement in this chase, but also a lingering emptiness. Because no matter how many waves you conquer, there's always another one on the horizon, and you might never feel truly fulfilled.

Now, imagine shifting your focus to significance. Instead of chasing the waves, you start to explore the ocean itself. You dive into its depths, discovering its richness and the life teeming within it. This is like turning your attention to the lives you touch, the love you share, and the legacy you build. It’s about knowing that every action, no matter how small, can create ripples that spread far and wide, affecting others in ways you might never fully see.

Think of the people who have touched your life profoundly. Perhaps it was a teacher who believed in you when no one else did, a friend who stood by you during a dark time, or a stranger’s act of kindness that restored your faith in humanity. Their significance in your life wasn’t because of their personal success, but because they made you feel seen, valued, and cared for. They left a piece of themselves with you, a piece that continues to influence you long after the moment has passed.

Living a life of significance means striving to be that person for others. It’s about creating moments that matter, moments that resonate in the hearts of those around you. It’s the smile you offer a stranger, the support you give a friend, the wisdom you share with a child. It’s knowing that, in the end, your worth isn’t measured by what you have achieved, but by how you have enriched the lives of others.

As you grow older and look back on your life, what do you want to see? A series of trophies gathering dust, or a tapestry of relationships and experiences that paint a picture of a life well-lived? Do you want to remember the constant race for more, or the times when you paused, reached out, and made a real difference in someone’s life?

Choosing significance over success is a journey of the heart. It’s a path that asks you to look beyond yourself, to see the interconnectedness of our human experience, and to find joy in the act of giving, loving, and uplifting others. It’s about finding peace in the knowledge that you have left the world a little better than you found it, and that your existence has added to the ocean of humanity’s collective beauty.

So, consider setting goals that go beyond simply personal gain. Think about the legacy you want to leave, how you wish to be remembered, the stories you want to be told about you, and the lives you want to touch. Because, in the end, significance is about the quiet, enduring impact of a life lived with purpose and love, and that is the truest measure of a meaningful existence.

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Andrew Kolikoff is a master of masters in creating profits for organizations by elevating people and company cultures to become the very best they can be... more productive, more engaged, more servant hearted.

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