Success, Decisions & Being Valuable

Hello my friend,

Why do we always say we are busy?

Recently I had a fascinating conversation with a former CEO and entrepreneur.

As I asked him about his background and experience I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed at just how successful he had been.

Leading large corporations, building a successful business whilst growing a significant following over the previous decade.

What he told me next came as a surprise.

Despite earning all the money and status you could imagine, he walked away.

He gave it all up.

The big corporation he was leading and the multiple businesses he was running.

Turning over huge amounts of income and profit.

He was gaining so much of what he thought he wanted.

But simultaneously giving up so much of what he actually did.

He had hit burn-out time and time again.

His mental health and wellbeing had taken a battering.

Many relationships lost and left behind.

Despite having everything materially that you could want he was exhausted and miserable.

Instead he left it all and started a small coaching community.

He now brings people together and helps others.

He works on his own schedule and spends time doing what he loves.

He told me he is now rarely ever “busy” and creates time for what is important and for the things he most wants to do.

What does success mean?

What it means for one person can be very different to someone else.

Many of us love to say how busy we are.

The long days and the constant grind we are putting in.

All the projects we’re working on.

It feels like we will receive the level of respect and recognition that we crave.

Even though through doing so we’re often sacrificing what matters most.

Health, relationships, freedom, peace, happiness.

A decade back I believed success meant another step on the corporate ladder.

It meant working harder and longer than everyone else.

It meant more promotions.

It meant earning more than the people around me.

It meant doing more and getting ahead.

It meant making enough to buy a new Audi.

That’s what I thought success meant.

After all nearly everybody around me was doing the same thing.

It felt the right and only path.

Success for me now means something very different.

It means having great health and well-being.

It means having deep and quality relationships.

It means having the ability to move and to travel.

It means having freedom to do things on my own terms.

I means waking up on a tuesday feeling happy and inspired.

(Tuesday used to be a shocker of a day)

Don’t lose sight of what success means to you.

Things I’m learning

A change of mood.

“If you can be in a bad mood for no reason, you can be in a good mood for no reason.” - Chris Williamson

Seeing your mountain of value.

“Most people are already standing on a mountain of value. But it’s difficult to see the size, shape, and attributes of your mountain when you’re on it.

When you look down from where you are, all you see is the dirt beneath your feet. When you look up, you see how impressive the other mountains are. It’s very easy to see value from a distance. You see the value of others so effortlessly, but you sometimes fail to notice the immense value in yourself.” - Daniel Priestley

One decision away.

“At any moment, you are one good choice away from a meaningfully better life.” - James Clear

Question

Imagine yourself in 10 years time. What would you look back and thank yourself for?

That's all for this week, thank you for reading.

P.S. I’m leading a community running group for working professionals in Madrid, 'Running Minds' on saturday mornings.

If you are in or around the city and would like to come I’d love to have you. Message me for details.

With Love. Nick x