‘Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful’ – Albert Schweitzer
Property Management Monday’s is now having a seasonal break whilst I film for our new Property Management course (it’s super exciting!!), but that doesn’t mean that I’ve gone anywhere, I am just kicking it up another notch with investment and career blogging!
I have been mulling a lot over recently, really re-establishing my priorities. It’s something I really recommend you do as well, getting connected to how you feel can only push your career into overdrive!
Here’s the question:
How do YOU know you are successful?
How I used to measure success….
When I was growing up I had visions of being very rich – once rich I would be very successful. I didn’t know quite how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to get into the workforce and knuckle down and get going.
So, I worked hard, got myself a job from the age of 15 as well as studying and have been busting my own ass ever since to reach that wealth status I thought it was all about – in fact that was why I brought my first property, thought it was going to get me rich quick!
I had no idea what amount was going to make me a success so there was no stopping point.
As I progressed on this journey, I had to add other things in there which would also amount to me being a success, degrees and qualifications and that perfect weight. I studied hard and finished my bachelors, masters and charter-ship as well as dropping far below my ideal weight through loads of exercise.
Gradually over the last 6 years of working up the career ladder, the money rolled in at higher and higher amounts. Monthly expenditure was no longer a worry and my holidays were getting more and more ‘fancy’.
I had reached my perceived ‘success’ levels, pretty damned quick – but guess what, there was no fireworks at the end, cracking open bottles of champagne, pat on the back.
Changing perspectives
It all came as a pretty non-event and worse still I had driven myself into the ground, feeling stressed, tired and little bit confused as to what the point is?!
My description of success started to change. How could success make you feel awful? Success had to make you feel fulfilled, grounded and most of all happy.
My Definition of Success
In my musings realised something super special – success comes when I am feeling at my best, when I am engaged in something that I deeply enjoy:
- The freedom to go out and arrange tasks at my leisure
- Completing a project which really helps other people fulfil their dreams
- Coming home to a beautiful home and feeling comfortable around my family
- Lying on a yoga mat at the end of class
- Having the luxury of sitting on my paddleboard in the middle of a stretch of water
- Doing a deal that works really well and fits my needs
- Being able to choose which projects I work on and see them through with my own deadlines
- Working with people who I have great fun with and enjoy being around
None of the above feels like work because of how great it makes me feel. Putting that awesome feeling into doing what I love only produces more of what I love and that is 100% success.
I also recognise that this will change as my situation changes.
My new goal – to make sure I do more of what makes me happy and I enjoy because then I can truly say I’m always successful.
My challenge for you
I’m sure you got this far because you want to know how do you know if you are successful?
Take a look at what truly makes you feel fulfilled and happy – if you have got any of that in your life then you are successful.
If there is nothing, then make it your mission to find something which brings out that excited feeling whether at work or in your private life.
I don’t believe that when you start out being successful that every moment is pure bliss, but success lies in making sure you get out there and do something that makes you happy.
Take this with you throughout your career and whenever you have a difficult moment, look to your successes as inspiration and that pick you up. Celebrate the great moments and don’t beat yourself up over the bad – after all any mistakes you make you learn from!
Don’t forget to check back in with www.ncrealestate.co.uk and if you ever need any help with anything discussed on this website than email me [email protected]
NC
