If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’m a Washington Nationals baseball fan. The Nats won their division championship this year and went on to post-season play, narrowly loosing to the Dodgers in game 5. So, it was the Dodgers who advanced to face the Cubs and vie for the National League World Series spot. I was disappointed, yes. Some fans were devastated, wondering how it went wrong. Self-reflection is a valuable practice. We learn from our mistakes, so its good to consider what adjustments need to be made. But going into mourning about what didn’t happen is counter-productive. I feel appreciative that I was able to enjoy 167 games, watching great baseball with my husband. The Nats entertained and excited with this season. They did really well and went out every day, ready to give it their best, having fun and supporting each other. So, does not getting to the World Series make them failures? After an entire long season of baseball, does one game define them? I don’t think so.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#Success #LifePurpose”]How do you measure success?[/tweetthis]
So, how do we measure success in our own lives? Here are my thoughts:
- The ability to keep going, no matter what. There will be setbacks. There will be personal issues that come up. We all have painful things occur in our lives. I don’t know of anyone who has escaped that. What’s important is to acknowledge the pain, love ourselves and keep going.
- The ability to be self-reflective and make the necessary adjustments. If you don’t like the outcome, review your process and see what you might do differently next time.
- Taking baby steps. Success is a process. When you try to do too much too fast, and according to some arbitrary time schedule (I should be “here” by now) you quickly succumb to overwhelm. The irony is that overwhelm can paralyze you, actually causing you to take more time to accomplish your goals. What’s one thing you can do each day toward your goal?
- The ability to enjoy the journey. This is one of the most important markers of success! Find the joy in creation, without attachment to outcome looking a certain way or happening at a certain time.
- The ability to pause. Take moments for relaxation, to quiet the mind, breathe deeply and allow whatever comes, to come. This might be inspiration, feelings of self-love, appreciation for what is already in your life, peace. Quiet time important. How you take your quiet time depends only on your own preferences.
- To be able to see what you’ve already accomplished—the glass half full—and to celebrate that. Even small steps toward your goals are cause for celebration. Each small step is a win and puts you in the path of more wins.
- Treating yourself and others well every day. Are you patient, kind and loving to yourself and others? Success isn’t about the house, car, or job title. It isn’t about the amount of money in the bank. I’m not saying not to have goals or to want things. But if you can brighten someone’s day with a phone call, a smile, or a hug, that’s success. If you can turn off your own negative self talk and focus on what a wonderful being you are, that’s success. Love your own heart and spread the joy!
Someone who had a near death experience once wrote that he was asked two questions: How well did you learn your lessons and how much did you love?
That’s how the soul measures success.
I’d love to hear your ideas on how you measure success in your own life! Just comment below.
