Successful - a carrot on a stick?

Yes yes, does look like an elixir posting...So why this topic? Especially as it seems I am slipping back into my sporadic posting syndrome (SPS)... (and I think I just created that!). Ok, so back to the matter at hand..why the topic? Because for the past few months the matters of success/achievement/failure/loss keep rearing as challenging buzz's all around me - I am particularly conscious of it this week because 'successful' has been long deserving of a "certain dear one" of mine...but somehow this does not seem to be crowning my "certain dear one"......so it got me thinking a bit more than usual about success.

There is an immense pool of information around 'how to be successful'. Then why does it seem hard to become successful? Possibly the complexities of our own personage as individuals and the autonomy we exercise to decide what we think will or will not work - may be standing in the way of us drawing from the elaborations available to us. On the other hand some may not opportune this pool of information. We could go on and discern multiple reasons why, though there has been so much shared about how to become successful, many do not (feel/perceive/believe) they are successful, at least as they would wish to be.

But lets see what we can remind ourselves around becoming successful. Respectful of diverse opinions on 'how' one can savour success....what I share is of-course only one humble perspective, which I pivots love:

a) Love and know yourself: may sound 'mushy', but loving oneself and appreciating oneself is not always a given! however when we love ourselves, we believe in ourselves, we seek to better ourselves and in the process we consciously identify within ourselves the positive, strengths, capacities and so on, this can be a catalyst to identifying WHAT one CAN succeed in. And when you succeed, do not forget who you were! Also take care of yourself, take care of your health and general outlook - when you feel good and look good, you're energy and motivation levels are higher. Avoid negativity!

b) Love what you do: if you don't enjoy it, even if you are good at it, someday it will 'give'!. Enjoying what you set out to do guarantees your dedication to its success and often also guarantees you explore enough about the area of intended success, to know exactly what to do, how and when, to attain the success. If you don't love it, you're probably miserable doing it. Also 'true' success can really only be aligned with happiness, how can one be deemed successful in something if it only gives off unhappy vibes? Loving it will motivate you, motivation will drive you and open your mind and soul to innovative ways to doing it...Some people already feel successful because they are able to do what they love in the first place! :)

c) Love the challenge of uniqueness: to feel successful and have others recognise it, it would make sense that you would need to do something 'different'. Uniqueness is an ideal quality to nurture when seeking success in something. Being unique often implies being different, and this can be challenging, so loving the challenge and viewing it as a stepping stone to success, is key. Bring YOUR own very special thoughts, ideas, ways and practices to the fore, and with it be successful in contributing valuabley the world.

d) Love the pains: often success comes about through perseverence, and in many instances can be hindered by rejection, failure, critiscism, others lack of faith in you, and other adverse reactions from your environment. Keep in mind that becoming successful is a process, and often one which requires learning, patience and faith - so learn to love these pains, as they are stepping stones to the success. Stay focused. Love and learn, learn what you can from all the negativities that may come your way, and find how you can do things better as your journey continues.

e) Love others: I hope this point lingers on with you longer than the others. Success can be a personal (self) pursuit, we seek OUR success, and when we seek something for ourselves it is easy to forget about the next person and even undermine those around us in our pursuit for our goals.Be radiant, enthusiastic, energetic, and confident about yourself and convey a positive attitude - this is a magnet, it will attract others, and they will without doubt support you towards your success. Don't forget team spirit - as the situation demands. And when you become successful, share your story with others - encourage them along on their paths of success!

So a possible redefinition of success — often aligned with riches, power, glory & prestige — may be neccesary to facilitate many of us towards repositioning our perceptions of 'success is unattainable - like the carrot on the stick!". And I shall sign off with this one : "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Sir Winston Churchill , and a little spanner for your thoughts :) "Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein (now would that not be a TRUE success? )

For me success is 'freedom'.....my freedom to be me!