What defines success to you?
A new car? A bigger house? That full-fat Sky TV subscription ripping you off, I mean, costing £58.50 a month including high definition channels ‘so clear you think you’re there’ (well, why aren’t you?)?
Now think of success again – but this time, from the heart.
What is success if not happiness? And what price, happiness? A new car? A bigger house?
How will any of these material assets bring you long-lasting happiness?
My dearest friend and constant lover once told me at work (obviously not mine, being a freelancer in the loosest sense) she and her colleagues began discussing how much money they would need from a Lottery win to be truly self-sufficient and able to quit working for The Man.
Multiple millions of pounds was the median. Nothing less – there were homes in the sun to be snapped up, an endless array of Bugattis, Bentleys, and Chevrolet Crossfires (I guess money can’t buy taste) to be assembled on the sweeping driveway, swimming pools to be dug and private jets summoned to stain the sky.
Princess suggested a sum of £100,000 would be sufficient to find haven outside of corporate employment. The gathering fell silent, a mixture of bemusement and confusion powering the absence of noise.
Suddenly: “£100,000? You couldn’t even buy a flat for that!”
“Why would I want to buy a flat?”
“…”
To a spirit so awash with life and dreams, ownership of bricks and mortar is futile. To a mind so full of smiles, giggles and desire, the concept of great gain for ultimately little reward itself is a comedy of errors.
An extreme case, maybe, but a fine illustration of what ‘need’ really is. Need, to me, is enough. Joy, amazement, experience: these are all things that require no financial support. Yet life for many is consumed with hollow gain.
A big house? Will more rooms give you more space to store the happiness you need – or will it be so big you won’t be able to find it? That flashy new car – will you be building some private motorways to accompany it? Otherwise, I’ll ride alongside you on my bike, getting ahead of you at traffic lights.
What drives you? Where is the real, true happiness in all of your goals and objectives?
Be successful, be secure, and be safe in the knowledge whatever you’re working for is providing you with a reward that exceeds material possessions. For the finest possession of all is your health. And health, as we know, is a state of mind. And the state of mind that builds the greatest health of all? Happiness?
So don’t stress. Don’t place unforgiving targets on yourself. Focus on the only thing that matters – happiness for you, and your family. And all your goals will be met.