What motivates you to be successful?
We’re told to keep our “Big Why” posted on our fridge, our laptop, and bathroom mirrors. We’re told our “Big Why” will keep us going when times our tough. We’re told that, without a “Big Why,” our endeavors will be lackluster at best.
Think about it. What drives you to get up in the morning and do your best each and every day?
To Be Successful, Define Success
[The “Well-Being Chart” described below is from Living a Longer, Healthier Life by Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen.]
I frequently ask my clients and colleagues how they define success. If their answer isn’t at the ready, I suggest the following exercise:
Draw a chart with two “double-headed arrows” ↔️ ↕️ that intersect each other.
- On the vertical arrows, place Fulfillment at the top and Depression at the bottom.
- On the horizontal arrows, place Success to the right and Failure to the left.
Now:
- On the top right quadrant (between Fulfillment and Success), write the word Thriving.
- On the bottom right quadrant (between Depression and Success), write the words Worn Out.
- On the bottom left quadrant (between Failure and Depression), write the words Burned Out.
- On the top left quadrant (between Failure and Fulfillment), write the word Contented.
I then ask: Where are you right now?
Are you Worn Out? You may appear to be “successful” to others, yet suffer from situational or clinical depression totally drained of energy and joy.
Are you Burned Out? Perhaps you feel like not you’re not doing well in any area of your life and you’re suffering from the emotional fallout that ensues.
Are you simply Contented? You may be totally fulfilled in one area of your life (e.g., relationships) yet feel like you’re failing in another one (e.g., a business or ministry endeavor).
ARE YOU THRIVING? Are you feeling Fulfilled and Successful?
If you are, glory be! Please share in the Comment Box below what that looks like for you.
If, however, you’re like most of us and feel that you have a ways to go, jot down what Fulfilled and Successful would feel like, taste like, look like for you. Spare no detail. The more specific the better. Please share your description (even part of it!) in the Comment Box below.
To Be Successful, LOVE
If your “success motivation” is fame, money, achievement…, success will be fleeting at best. But if your motivation is LOVE and service to others, your efforts — like the loaves and fishes — will multiply and last from generation to generation.
How do we keep LOVE and SERVICE front and center?
Photo by Flickr (monettenriquez)
As Dr. Andersen teaches, a sense of Fulfillment and Success (a.k.a. well-being) encompasses a variety of experiences, gatherings, and people. Start by writing down how you could integrate the following suggestions into your life, ministry, and business:
- Strengthen your faith.
- Pursue your passion.
- Enjoy the arts.
- Explore nature.
- Deepen your relationships.
- Take up a meaningful hobby.
- Volunteer your time and talents to a cause that touches your heart.
Your motivation — your “Big Why” — will become more and more clear as you focus your time and efforts on loving and serving others and strengthening your relationship with God.
To Be Successful, Persevere
As a mom, as a coach, as a person who has walked this earth going on 61 years, I tell you: perseverance is key. Sure, we all have times when we get down. But, as I learned from my parents and as they learned from theirs, it’s getting back up on the horse again that counts.
Once you know how you define success and what motivates you to be successful...
Once you decide that love and service to others are what add meaning and fulfillment to your life…
Once you determine that you will persevere regardless of obstacles and setbacks…
You’re ready to achieve success.
Are You Ready?
Let Love Be Your Guide
13 I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal. 2 I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
8 Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge. 9 These will all end because this knowledge and these prophecies we have are not complete. 10 But when perfection comes, the things that are not complete will end.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. 13 So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13 (ERV)
Thank you, I needed to read this now! I am really big on the Burned Out area right now. God has been revealing to me major things about my personality and weaknesses this yr. It’s time to start getting help and making better choices!
One step at a time, Jasmine. Right?
I’m glad these thoughts are serving you well and hope you find further inspiration and encouragement from our posts and interviews.
Blessings.
Jory
It is good to see an example of what I want to do for young men. Your words are touching 61 years of experience may God continue to bless you
Thank you for that encouraging word, Brother Raymond!
May God bless you as you bless others.
Jory
Thank you for these wise words. I find that I must continually assess where I’m at and be willing to make the changes, even those small ones, to stay thriving. I find that the more I focus on love and building value into others, the less stress I carry and the more fulfilled I am.
Thanks
We all need to assess and re-assess, Sharon. And, yes, isn’t it interesting that the more we pour into the lives of others, the better we feel?
Come visit us often!
Warmly,
Jory