I know I'm successful when...

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Melanie  •  22 Sept 2021   •    
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“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
That’s the no.1 regret dying people have when they look back on their life. What’s a life true to yourself? I believe it’s your own definition of what success looks and feels like uniquely to you. I’m a big proponent of finding one’s own definition as early as possible, so you can consciously design and lead a life based on that, without any regrets.

“You’re successful.” What does that mean, to you?
Often, success can feel like this blurry thing, in the future. We tell ourselves: “One day, you’ll be successful, when…”

I’d like to propose a simpler view on success, based on your ideal day. Just like it’s proven that systems and habits work better then distant goals in the future, I believe defining success based on your ideal day works better.

So what’s a successful day for you?

For me, I know I’m successful when I look back on my day and:

  • I took the time to do my morning practice, which includes emptying my mind, nurturing my spirit and arriving in my body. To do so, I journal, meditate, dance, do yoga or go for a walk, depending on the day.
  • I planned my day and week, know my ONE Thing and don’t check my phone or emails too frequently
  • I wrote down my thoughts and learnings and shared them
  • I don’t have calls in the morning
  • I truly connected with minimum one person that I care about or inspires me, this can be a coachee, friend or random person
  • I had min 1h focused uninterrupted time to get organized and do work
  • I explored or learned sth new
  • I had a good meal and took the time to enjoy it
  • I practiced gratitude and feel the abundance

I don’t look at this list and only feel like “I’ve made it” when I can check off all the items but rather as a menu to choose three from. A good day is when I can fulfill my main needs to connect, create and get shit done, how I do that depends on the day.

I believe the more successful days we accumulate the more likely we are to look back on our life one day feeling like we’ve had a successful life, without any regrets.

And isn’t that what’s all about? :)


The tool: “I know I’m successful when…” comes from Rich Litvin
The regrets of the dying is a book by Bronnie Ware

Thank you both for your incredibly powerful work, reminding people to step into their power, so we can enjoy the ride.

Comments

I love this, and I like to think about my “dream day” a lot, because if we can’t enjoy the day it’s hard to enjoy any accomplishment, no matter how big it is (because the moment of accomplishment is fleeting).

haideralmosawi  •  22 Sept 2021, 9:14 am

Love the question! Can I add this to the Lifelog writing prompts?

“Complete this sentence: ‘I know I had a successful day when…’”

jasonleow  •  22 Sept 2021, 11:15 pm

Yes of course go ahead @jasonleow. Curious to read the others’ posts :) So true @haideralmosawi

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Melanie  •  27 Sept 2021, 8:18 am

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