We are surrounded by benchmarks for success: sales goals, profit goals, world records, you name it. So it’s not that unusual to say to yourself, “As soon as I ____________ (fill in the blank), I’ll be successful and happy.” As common as this is, it might not be the best way to approach your life.
Many of us have one simple goal: be the best at what we do. Once I’m the best, then I’ll be successful. Once I’m the best, then I’ll celebrate. Once I’m the best, then I’ll be happy. Well, what does it take to be the best? What does it take to feel accomplished, to feel valuable, to be happy? What does it take to celebrate YOU?
How many A’s do you need?
How many soccer, football, basketball or tennis games do you need to win?
How many friends do you need to have?
How much money do you need to make?
How many records do you need to sell?
How many books do you need to write?
How many children do you need to have?
How many houses do you need to own?
How many true loves do you need to meet?
How many scientific discoveries do you need to reveal?
How many paintings do you need to paint?
How many patients do you need to treat?
How many marathons do you need to run?
Think back to those times when you achieved the goal you were striving toward. Did you feel successful? Did you celebrate? Did you feel happy? How long did that feeling last? Years? Months? Days? Hours? Minutes? How quickly did it take before you shifted back to feeling unaccomplished, unworthy and unhappy? How long before you set the next goal, the next benchmark, the next, “as soon as I BLANK”?
Goals can be a great motivator, but the danger lies in setting achievement-based goals as benchmarks for self-worth and happiness.
What does it take to celebrate you? Can you make every day your birthday? On that one day every year, we walk around excited, happy, and with an extra spring in our step. Work seems more fun, the wine tastes better, and the love and friendships surrounding us feel more nourishing.
What if we stop relying on reaching our achievement-based goals for happiness, and instead make every day our birthday? Would we be more productive, more creative, and more joyful?
There’s only one way to find out – Happy Birthday!
