Is this your formula for Success?
As a finance professional, you most likely think this; "If I suffer and work hard today I will be more successful and when I am more successful only then I will be happy or happier."
Examples of such mentality;
- Finance Professionals - I must drag myself out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and go to work hoping that today will be the day I get promoted.
- Students - I must lock myself in my room and sacrifice social life for future gain and happiness.
- Youth - If I just force myself to the gym and loose 10 pounds, then ill be successful and happy.
- Entrepreneurs - I must socially isolate myself for the future success of my company. (stereotypical entrepreneur)
However, that conventional wisdom is flawed and its not your fault nor mine.
This is why.
Our thinking has been shaped by:
1. The Negative Media
It's always about negative stuff because it sells - bad people, murder, drugs, gangs etc. It has tricked us into thinking that life is always a struggle, unless you are successful.
2. Misleading Motivational Content
Most of the online motivational content is filled with quotes, videos and stories of stuff like "No pain. No gain.", "Life is a pain, so work hard!", "Struggle today for success tomorrow!" etc.Such content has tricked us into viewing the route to success as a painful chore.
3. "Happily ever After" Stories
Be very cautious of the success stories you read. Recall back to Grade 10 English, climax is part of a good plot. When people write their own stories, they overemphasize their struggle to build up the climax.
These three factors have tricked us into thinking that the route to success is an unpleasant struggle and only the destination holds the fruits of our labor.
However, the reality is that "Happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Happiness is not just the mood, it's a work ethic. When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work." -Shawn Achor
Real Life Example
For example, lets say you love visiting new places but dread the process of traveling. In this example your route is traveling and your destination is China.
Since you don't like the route to your destination, you will go to the airport find a lonely seat, stuff your earplugs in and wait for your flight arrival. During the flight, you will do the same.
Yes, you still got to your destination but you missed out on all other experiences that the route offers - such as meeting new people, making some local friends, observing the culture, or even just showing appreciation for that friendly waitress.
Key Takeaways
- Media Fast - Avoid getting overloaded by all kind of media trash.
- Psychology - Enjoy the journey to success as much as you would enjoy the destination itself.
- Ripple Effect- Emotions are highly contagious, thus, help spread positive ones :)
- "Happiness is not just a mood, it's a work ethic." - Shawn Achor
- Enjoy the route to success as it holds valuable experiences and opportunities, not just the destination.
Good stuff. Pretty honest observations
Thanks kinghongkong!
Great reminders to stop and smell the roses along the way.
Well said!
That's a great approach to putting things in perspective...it really is all about framing sometimes. Good post.
great post.
Good article, but I think just positive thinking alone wouldn't guarantee you a good job. And I've heard of very few first year IBD analysts who actually LOVE their 100-hour-per-week life.
Great post.
worth saying perhaps.. if you are not some form of a sociopath or psychopath than you should not take the game seriously and adhere to the rules above..
Good stuff. Very straightforward
Love it - so true. Your work ethic is in fact a very important asset, but i things like being a fun person and 'working smart' are equally important
Having said that, i have a slight criticism of the implication of your quote "Happiness fuels success, not the other way around." I worry that this implies we must try to be happy so that we can become more successful. This is a problem as psychologists have told us you cannot TRY to be happy - doing so actually makes you less happy.
Therefore, i'm much more fond of your other phrase "enjoy the journey to success." Just buckle up and take t all in - it's gonna be a fun ride!
I agree with you. You raise a very important point.
I think the whole problem with "happiness" is that the word itself is misleading. It is like asking the meaning of life. It is too broad, vague and irrelevant.
The best way to define happiness would be the same definition for success - its personal and there is no formula set in stone for it.
One of my favourite TED talks on this topic is by a nobel prize winner, Daniel Kahneman, The riddle of experience vs. memory. It is very thought provoking and eliminates all modern day worries of "happiness"
Quidem tempora soluta molestiae et. Est molestias enim nam saepe. Dolorum ut odio earum dicta officiis odio corrupti. Quam velit est corporis velit.
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