Success Vs. Happiness

What is the measure of your success?

I recently spoke to a friend who had undergone a major life change. To everyone looking in from the outside, he was absolutely killing it with a prosperous business, a beautiful home, and all the markers for success. But it was all a lie.

Behind the scenes, his business was struggling. One bad financial decision made in an effort to expand the business ultimately cost him over $100,000. After having his business go under, he sold almost everything he owned and decided to move to another country.

After the move, he said: Should we pursue success or happiness? For me, for years, it was success because that goes hand-in-hand with happiness, doesn’t it? Well, and this may be obvious to some, but no. It doesn’t. At all. We can become a victim of our success, but we will never become a victim of our happiness. I’ve chosen to pursue happiness, and it is changing my life.

I love that statement, "We can become a victim of our success, but we will never become a victim of our happiness." Have you ever considered that? Have you become a "victim of your success" in life? Everyone makes sacrifices for their family, which may include long hours and hard work, but is this a temporary thing, or has it become your life?

I think it's important that you clearly define "success" in your life. For some people, it's a Lamborghini in the driveway of their fifteen-bedroom mansion, while others might define it as sitting around the table for a family dinner every night. What is it to you? Do you feel successful now?

The key thing to understand is that success doesn't automatically equal happiness. If you feel you're lacking either in your life, maybe it's time to change things up a little. I have a friend whose motto is "Love what you do and do what you love."

One of the most satisfying things you can do is something you love. Life is so incredibly fleeting, and we just don't have time to be miserable every day. Don't let someone else define your happiness, and don't sacrifice your well-being for someone else's measure of success. If you can be happy living in a small home but getting to spend a lot of time with your family, then ignore the people who say you aren't successful enough!

Have the courage to do hard things. Maybe that's saying no to a good opportunity because you know that, ultimately, it would cost you more in time than it was worth. Maybe it's missing out on what someone else would tell you is successful just to keep your mental health.

Be successful, but don't be a victim of your success. Happiness is letting go of what you think your life should look like and living the dreams you have for yourself rather than someone else's.