How To Succeed Without Really Trying (To Succeed)
Try not to become a [person] of success. Rather become a [person] of value.
Albert Einstein
How do you define success?
If it means being the best or being the richest or being the smartest or being the most attractive, you will be miserable.
There will always be someone willing to make more sacrifices than you to be more of whatever you want to be or to have more than you have.
Even if you should out-sacrifice everyone else, you wouldn’t be able to hold your position very long, and your euphoria will evaporate even sooner.
Then you will be left without all the things and relationships you sacrificed and have only a sad story about back in the day when you were at the top.
Here’s a better strategy.
Be of value to your employer.
You should always be providing more value to your employer than you are getting paid. If you are not, your career is headed in the wrong direction.
Be of value to your clients.
If you are in sales, bring value to your clients. If you do, you will never have to sell.
Be of value to your customers.
If you have a business, give your customers more than they pay for. And make sure you do that by increasing the value and not by lowering the price. Lowering the price is a race to the bottom.
Be of value to your family.
If you provide for your family financially, excellent. However, you are not an ATM. You are a companion, a coach, a counselor, a confidant, a cheerleader, a collaborator — you get the picture.
Be of value to your friends.
If you want to have rich friendships, don’t keep a running tab on who owes who. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Don’t instinctively turn down help when it is offered. (I know. That last one is difficult.)
Be of value to your community.
Your presence should add value to your community. Be the neighbor that everyone would hate to see move away.
Be of value to yourself.
You should treat yourself as someone you are responsible to care for. Because you are. Only you know what you want and what you need. Don’t wait for someone to read your mind and magically make your dreams come true. Definitely don’t stop dreaming.
Be of value to your country.
Be of value to the world.
These last two will take care of themselves if you see to the first seven. And so will success.
Whatever your bank account, your fame, or your accomplishments, if you follow this strategy, your success is guaranteed. And it won’t be fleeting.
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