How to redefine your metric measures of success
I've been reading Arianna Huffington 'Thrive' and considering the metric measures of success that we so often focus on, and the measures that should really matter to us and the community as a whole.
In her book, Arianna shares that society has been reduced to just two measures of success - money and power. For some, they are one in the same. If you have money, you have power type of thinking.
So if this is true, if this is what success looks like, why are the powerful and wealthy so often really unhappy?
Arianna describes these two old-school measures of success like trying to balance on a stool with only two legs.
You can do it for a period of time, but eventually, you will topple over.
Arianna introduces us to a Third-metric of success which she then breaks down into four important pillars:
- well-being
- wisdom
- wonder, and
- giving
Whether you manage a massive team across borders or a single supporting staff member who wears many hats - Ariana's measures of success can be seen demonstrating results for companies and individuals around the globe! And heh, the woman runs HuffPost - that is testimony enough for me.
I'm beginning to notice more and more case studies emerging showing the benefits of an improved wellbeing and the positive impact it has on overall team performance, which then improves the company bottom line. Yay!
But like all great change, it needs to start from the top.
So my question for you, as a fellow #ladyboss, is what are your measures of success?
Running two business and looking after my beautiful family has certainly created moments of feeling like I am being pulled in two different directions.
For a long time, I pushed and pushed so that my beautiful fashion business, iland co, could generate an income that would give my family the financial freedom I had dreamt of for years. I chased sales goals. I hustled for leads. I focused on lowering costs, increasing profit, and although the dials moved in the right direction, I found myself feeling more depleted than ever.
Thankfully, I have read Arianna's book previously. It is my go-to resource for when things start to feel unbalanced, or off centre.
I knew something wasn't working. Something had to change.
I created my business to spend more time with my children and the more it grew, the less time I had for my family.
Arianna reminds me that I was focusing on a measure of success that was not serving me. A success measure based on an outdated broken model. I was chasing numbers in a column, on a page. I was chasing $$$... but my heart wanted me to stay true to myself and my purpose and this was causing a deep sense of dissatisfaction.
Ariana provides some great starting points for redefining what success looks. If you are feeling unbalanced, disconnected, or dissatisfied, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you feel connected to the essence of who you are?
- Do you take time for yourself, or care for yourself on a regular basis?
- Do you take time to connect with others?
- Do you stop to feel and wonder?
A great takeaway from Thrive is to look for moments in each day to be a giver.
Right in front of our eyes are opportunities to give and be generous. Look around you. I bet there is an opportunity there right now.
Giving is a beautiful act of generosity. It's so much more than physical objects. You can give your time, your smile, your undivided attention during a conversation. These can go far beyond material objects in terms of the benefit received.
There is a fantastic quote that Ariana includes in the book that really sums up her notion of being a giver. From John Burroughs...
"The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place an hour. Every place is under the stars, every place is the centre of the world."
Do you have a favourite quote or book recommendation? Let me know! I'd love to hear from you and you can reach me at [email protected]
