Kevin Veitia
Ever had those moments where you're knee-deep in data, KPIs, ROIs, and a sea of spreadsheets, and you suddenly find yourself pondering, "Is this all there is? Am I successful?" (Don't worry, this isn't a mid-life crisis call, just a bit of healthy self-reflection.)
We often find ourselves measuring our life's worth and success through business metrics and career advancements, but is that the true measure of a fruitful life? Let's delve into this a bit, shall we?
I'm sure we can all agree that our profession can be all-consuming at times. After all, the average American spends 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime, and we, as marketers, spend late nights, early mornings, and weekends strategizing, planning, and executing campaigns. But does professional success equate to personal fulfillment? And if not, how do we stride towards achieving that balance?
“Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of." - Charles Richards
Indeed, the quote above hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? Our success in life goes beyond just our professional achievements. It's about our values, our relationships, our passions, and how these intertwine to create a meaningful, fulfilling life.
So, how do you measure your life? Let's explore some thoughts and ideas together. You might not agree with all of them - and that's okay, because this is about finding what resonates with you. Ready? Let's go!
Defining Success Beyond the Numbers
So, you've climbed the corporate ladder, built an impressive portfolio, and achieved your business targets. You're a rockstar in the marketing world. But let me throw a curveball your way: Is that all there is to success? In my experience, both personally and professionally, there's a lot more to the story.
Success, as it turns out, isn't just about making it to the top of the marketing food chain or having the fattest paycheck in the room. It's more nuanced, more personal.
Think about it. Have you ever stopped to consider how much your personal happiness, your relationships, or even your sense of purpose, contribute to your sense of accomplishment? I'm willing to bet that the most fulfilling moments in your life weren’t necessarily tied to a promotion or a business deal. They were probably about personal growth, connections with others, or a sense of purpose.
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer
Measuring life beyond numbers requires evaluating a different set of metrics. Here's a few to get you started:
Personal Fulfillment: This has more to do with how much joy and satisfaction you derive from your work. Are you excited about what you do each day? Or are you just going through the motions?
Impact: How much are you contributing to the world around you? Are you making a positive difference in your community, your company, or even just one person's life?
Relationships: How meaningful and fulfilling are your personal and professional relationships? Are you surrounded by individuals who challenge you, support you, and make you a better person?
Personal Growth: Are you continuously learning and improving? Are you becoming a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday?
These non-financial metrics, in my humble opinion, truly define success. And they require just as much attention, if not more, than your business KPIs.
At the end of the day, balance is key. Striving for professional success is important, but so is nurturing your personal well-being and growth. And who knows? Once you start measuring your life beyond numbers, you might just find that you're more successful than you ever thought possible.
Finding Long-Term Fulfillment in Personal and Professional Life
How do you measure success? Is it the size of your, the title on your business card, or the square footage of your house? Or, is it something more profound, like the quality of relationships, the depth of your personal growth, or the impact you make in the world?
To find long-term fulfillment in both our personal and professional lives, we need to redefine our understanding of success. But how do we do that? Firstly, it's essential to understand that money does not equal happiness. Yes, financial stability is essential, but it's not the end-all-be-all of life. You've probably heard the saying, "money can't buy happiness" (and rolled your eyes at it). But there's a lot of truth in those five words. Some of the richest people I've met are also the most miserable, and some of the happiest people I know live modestly.
So, if not money, then what?
Avoiding the Pitfalls of a Narrow Definition of Success
Let's talk about success.
Not the kind we often see splashed across magazine covers or click-baity LinkedIn posts.
Nope, I'm referring to the kind of success that resonates deep within, the kind that isn't defined by the size of your paycheck or the title on your business card. I'm talking about the kind of success that's shaped by your values, passions, and the positive impact you have on others. How do you measure that, you ask?
Well, buckle up, my friend, because we're about to take a road trip through Success Town, minus the pitfalls of a narrow definition.
First off, let's address an elephant in the room - our society's unhealthy obsession with wealth and status as the primary indicators of success (guilty as charged, I've been there). This narrow view often sidelines other equally important aspects of our lives - relationships, personal growth, and health, to name a few.
"Don't be fooled by the glitter of gold or the seductive appeal of a high-powered position. True success is about finding fulfillment and joy in the journey, not just the destination."
Now, let's break it down into a few actionable steps: First, take some time to define what success means to you beyond the dollar signs and job titles. Is it having a good work-life balance? Making a positive impact in your industry?
Then, reflect on your core values and how they align with your current position and tasks. Are you compromising your beliefs for the sake of climbing the corporate ladder? And finally, set long-term goals that align with your values and definition of success. Are you heading in the right direction? Remember, it's not just about where you're going, but how you get there and who you're becoming along the way.