One of the biggest mistakes we normally do is to allow others to define what we think of as success.  As such, we go through our days blindly trying to obtain the next big thing, the next big thing… but what is the next big thing?  Today, we want to get an A in an exam.  Tomorrow, we want to get into the best graduate school.  After, we want the best job.  Then we want the best house.  etc. etc.

If we follow the crowd and let others define what success means to us, we will never be happy with our lives.  There will always be something else to achieve, but that something will carry no actual meaning to you.  As such, when you finally obtain it, you are left empty, just like you started.  You may feel a rush of happiness for a few seconds, but it’s all temporary and not substantial.

When we define success for ourselves, we choose what is important to us, and we work towards achieving that.  As such, not only the goal is something we are excited and passionate about, but the journey to get there becomes an adventure.  We learn to be excited about every day.

As such, I invite you to define success for yourself.  Write down in a piece of paper your idea of success.  Use 1 or 10 sheets of papers depending on how inspired you feel, but make sure you are writing from the bottom of your heart.  Think about what is important.  Will it really make you happy to own that car, or do you just want others to be jealous of your nice car?  Study your true intentions, your emotions.

Once you have defined your idea of success, commit yourself to doing all the great things you can do to achieve it.  Convince yourself that you can achieve great things, and that there is no reason why you should not.  Taking these two steps, defining and committing to your goals, will give you a sense of purpose that will translate into daily happiness.  It will allow you to always re-evaluate an uncomfortable situation by asking yourself: “Does this fit into my idea of success?  Is it contributing to my life journey?  If yes, how so and how can I improve this?  If no, why am I dealing with it and how can I move on? ”

Best of luck with everything, keep it honest to yourself, but keep it positive.  Always keep it positive.  The best way you can do that?  Be grateful for what you have, cause I can assure you that if you have been able to simply read these words, you have plenty of things to be grateful about.  Don’t ever stop being grateful for all the things we tend to take for granted.

Omar

As someone who has recently been thinking about very much about the kind of life I want to lead, and how a full-time job will fit within the scope of everything, I must say that this talk was one of the things I needed to hear.  I ask you to please ignore any language that may not be of your taste, and rather focus your attention to what matters, the message.

If you have a dream, find a way to pursue it.  Otherwise, you will always wonder what could have been.  I don’t want to be 75 years old and still thinking, how would my life be if I have had the courage to do X or Y.  As such, I will find a way to do what I want to do.  I will not, however, do so without taking into account that I am part of a society, and I have to be productive.  I won’t refuse to work a 9 to 5 job if I need an income, but will not be stuck with it for the rest of my life if it doesn’t go along with my life plans.  Do what you have to do, but never quit on your true goals.

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