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The Problem With Seeking Success

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As you are a consumer of personal development content, then you’re most likely also aware that much of the noise is all about how to become successful. In every article or blog you are offered tips, formulas and breakthrough techniques. And yes, in this post I too offer some ideas (guilty).

But, there are a few problems with this idea of the pursuit of success.

When we read articles about creating success, we’re thinking about success as a destination most of the time. As if someday, we will arrive there on our yacht, sipping champagne and smiling for the world to see. Sounds nice, but…

Success is not a destination. Because once we achieve a certain goal, we are quickly then on to the next thing. We are always growing, so the idea of reaching success at a singular point is illusory.

But more significant than this even, is the assumption most of us are making.

We are assuming that when we are “successful” then we will also be fulfilled. We assume that the hole within us of “not-enoughness” will be gone when we are successful.

Sorry, bad news: Success does not equal fulfillment.

Don’t get me wrong, you can be successful and fulfilled. But understand this distinction:
You cannot expect that your success will also bring fulfillment. They are two very different things.

You cannot pursue success as if it were the answer to your fulfillment.

You can pursue success at an endeavour for what the challenges will make of you. Being successful in that endeavour will be cause for celebration at achieving a goal. But fulfillment is up to you and is independent of your goal achievements and failures.

Have a think about it. Are you expecting success to make you feel better about yourself? Make you feel more confident? Will you feel worthy after you achieve that big goal?

Then, you are seeking fulfillment in a place you cannot find it. Success cannot fill that hole, you must learn to develop your own experience of fulfillment.

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The most dangerous belief you can have

Do you want instant success?

Most likely yes, right? We’re only human after all. A little instant success would be nice sometime, right? 

No effort or maybe a little effort, then wham! Great success! You achieve your biggest goal. You make all the money you wanted. You get 10 new clients in one day. Almost like a miracle, you get instant results.

Well, I’m here to tell you that the belief in instant success is a dangerous one. And I strongly recommend that you drop it completely. Right now.

We are all led to believe through the mainstream media and through social media that instant success is possible. Also, that it is not just possible, but that it is happening all the time. This is the problem. It’s a complete lie. (Yes, I’m taking a tough stance on this one today!)

It’s a lie.

Don’t buy into the overnight success stories.
Because they will steal your dreams.
Because they will disempower you.
Because they will make you doubt yourself.
Because they will make you give up.

The difference between your success or failure, both in business and in life, is your resilience.  Can you endure the challenges and still not give up?

If you buy into“instant success” you will give up too soon. You will doubt if you can do it at all. You will think something is wrong with you because it’s taking so long!

It’s meant to take long because that’s just how it is.

Completely erase the instant success idea from your mind and you will be willing to do anything, for as long as you need to, to achieve your success. (There is no other path anyway.)

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The ONE thing that makes the BIGGEST difference

What is the one thing that sets apart those who grow their business sustainably to those whose business stagnates?

Here’s a hint: It’s a special type of mindset. As you are managing and operating your business it is your mindset that will determine the results for your business. This is not a theory, this is a reality. Here are the facts:
Your mindset affects what you do (and don’t do)
What you do (and don’t do) will create either business growth or business stagnation

Your mindset has a direct effect on your business’ bottom line. So back to that one thing that some business owners have that sets them and their business apart… It’s a mindset that creates and enables business growth, starting with creating personal growth. It’s known as a growth mindset.

I know, I know, you’ve probably heard of it before and it’s nothing new to you. You are likely saying to yourself, “yes of course I have a growth mindset”. It’s easy to believe that you can learn what you need to and make mistakes and try new things.. it’s a whole other thing to actually be doing that!

Knowledge is not power. Knowing and understanding that you need a growth mindset does not help your business or set you apart. You must be living the growth mindset.

You must be dynamic, looking for new ways when the old ways might still be working. You must be open to changing how you do things and what you do. Not for changes sake, but for improvement’s sake, to create growth for your business. You must be failing. If you haven’t failed at anything recently then you’re not trying anything new. 

Ask yourself:
When did I last try something new in your business?When did I last create a new product or service package?Am I still working the same way that I did when I started my business?
These questions are my way of challenging you to really assess if you have applied your growth mindset to your business and life.

To create the big difference in your business and go for growth, you need to apply your growth mindset approach to your business. Applying this mindset consistently is what makes the difference.