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"Own satisfaction is better than success because, success is a measure decided by others, while satisfaction is a measure we decide by ourselves."
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn.
It's normal when we jump into someone else's plan, that is? helping people achieve their dream and been satisfied in other to gain a quick route to success. Of a truth, you might be successful, but it may not get you as much happiness and satisfaction that you'll derive from pursuing your plans.
People make the mistake of thinking happiness is synonymous to success and are directly proportional to each other. It's normal when you think bagging all the cash, winning several awards in your workplace is you living the life. In reality, it is not so. It is important we know the difference so that we can pattern our lives accordingly. Success is what we desire as human, but not at the detriment of your self-happiness. Only on rare occasions will success fetch you happiness. Good news is that if you are satisfied, you have a better chance of being successful. Imagine the peace that comes with that Combo. Megan Tull proves this by saying;
If you’re meeting goals and overcoming challenges with a light and free heart, then you’re doing life right. Keep going! But if you’re dragging yourself along every step of the way, it’s time to stop and rethink your priorities.”
Happiness and satisfaction come with validity. It's no more news that the world has become a platform for a competition, where everyone is in a race where they are don't know where to stop or what awaits them at the end. In most cases, happiness is related to achieving a goal or possessing a material object, that’s tangible like I said previously, happiness comes with a validity.
When your friends are promoted at work or your sibling just bought a house, they might look extremely happy, but sometimes when they allow you into their lives and share their experiences, you’ll find out that they are wearing a facade of happiness to cover things up. There'll be issues like; not getting enough sleep at night and suffering from high blood pressure, or feeling overburdened with the meetings and so on, while the other will be pressured to maintain a status quo, even if it means stretching his limit.
AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS - AM I SATISFIED, AM I HAPPY? OR AM I RUNNING THE RACE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL AT THE DETRIMENT OF MY SATISFACTION.
Let’s take a look at some points to understand the difference between ‘being successful’ and ‘being happy’.
Success entails living a planned life. Happiness is living a life with passion.
Look at this scenario; You finished from a decent college at the age of 21 and got employed in a successful firm just right after college. Because of your efficiency at work you begin to get promotions regularly and of course increments. You’ve travelled to a few places, thanks to your workplace, they’ve covered your flights and stay in exchange for the deals that you’ve won for them. Unfortunately, you never got time to sit by the Thames when you were in London and you also didn't get to see the famous ASO rock in Nigeria and the nightlife in Paris, as a result of the early morning meetings you had to attend! Your life is driven by plans. Always deadlines after another.
It won't be a taboo if you take time out for yourself during those travels and experience the life the place has to offer. You'll find out that your productivity will increase automatically, you'll approach towards certain decisions will be fresh along with everything you tackle. You’ll realize that you made the best decision to get to know yourself and to figure out what makes you happy and passionate. Figure out what you love to do not for the money but for the passion when you live like this money begins to flow in seamlessly
For example; an artist never paints for the sole aim of making money from its sells, he does it for the sake of passion and love for his talent. Pause for a while, and think, if you don't get paid at work, will you still be eager to continue this job? Your answer will help you know where you stand.
Success is in working to achieve self-betterment. Happiness is working for others.
Successful people often work themselves beyond their mental, physical and emotional limits all for the money. They put a lot at stake, to the point where they can't spare time to drinking enough water, eating right and sleeping adequately. The one thing that controls their daily activity is staying ahead of everyone else, so the little they spend on themselves is seen as a waste of time. Then they try to keep their knowledge to themselves, with the fear that others will go ahead of them in their own game. Success is in growing alone, but happiness is in growing with others around you.
You derive happiness from making others smile in ways you can. Personally, I love being appreciated, it makes me super happy to do more. You can take a volunteering trip to any of the Third World Countries, change some ideologies based on your knowledge, use your skills to change a few lives. You can reach out to everyone, but the few people you reach out to will surely count. Help the local communities in these countries to live a better life. Like I said, it might look like a barely minimum contribution, but the happiness that you’ll experience will be priceless, believe me.
This is all well be taking, for now, check my next post for the complete point on the difference between living a satisfying life and a successful life.