I was reading an article the other day by a well-known and successful businesswoman. She’s not only wildly successful but also a great writer. I thoroughly enjoyed the article.
But at the end of it, the author said something that really caught my attention. She said we must choose either success or happiness. But we cannot have both. She was clearly successful but, obviously, unhappy.
This was that tired old cliche that success comes only with hard work and struggle — no pain, no gain. The author, though successful, found no joy in doing what she was so good at.
Is unhappiness too high a price to pay for success? And exactly what is success anyway?
Here’s what Spirt says about that:
“We define success as finding all the joy you can in your life. Joy is your purpose in this lifetime. And so if you achieve your purpose, you’re a success. Makes sense, doesn’t it? And so we would define your path to success as doing, being whatever brings you joy.”
Do you sacrifice happiness for success (or money)? Or have you found a way to have both? Please comment below.
Susan
Cara, your comments came to me today in a powerful way…almost 6 months after you posted. I need to be more reflective and aware of the successes of this life. I have become focused on career and how to make my work time matter…whatever that truly means. I experience a true lack of alignment in my current work which propels me towards change. How are you defining your future?
Thank you for your comments. It just goes to show you never know when or how you may touch another life.
Cara Wilde
Hey John
I'm learning how to have both. There have been times in my life when I have been materially successful and unhappy and times when I have been "not successful" and blissful. I think moving in small, successive steps is the key. It feels easier, more natural and gives a more solid foundation.
I have also redefined success recently after rereading an Orin and Daben book which provoked more though in this area. I now see my success in relation to my spiritual growth rather than just in relation to material form. I can now look back on my life and see just how successful I have been, the times when I chose forgiveness over anger, times when I met a challenge with courage, when I have released an old pattern, when I have taken the courage to open up to giving and receiving more love.
I'm liking it 🙂
Looking back on my "past" in that way gives me a feeling of success in the now which, as you well know, will propel me towards greater success in my "future" how ever I may chose to define that.
It's just so freakin good to be able to make up your own rules! 🙂
Hugs Cara
xxx