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Albert Einstein expressed many important ideas. One
is that the best ideas are as
simple as possible, but no simpler. With
this in mind, my definition of the success of
the privately owned business is defined
by the degree to which it contributes to the
happiness of the owner(s). Overly simplistic? No.
Happiness comes about by
exercising our higher order functions.
Acquisition of wealth can be a higher order function or
an addiction, a craving or
anything in between. The acquisition of wealth to
build more may be the actualization
of human creativity at its best or simply the
junkie’s obsession for more. Success, as
defined here is movement in the direction
of that which brings joy.
Among other things, happiness includes
health, wealth, relations, contribution and
connectedness. The combination, ratio,
and priorities change in a person’s life. Any
one who has ever been really ill will
have an understanding of the importance of health
that another person may not.. The same can be true
of wealth to one who has truly
experienced poverty. Extreme experiences in any area of
our life – our financial,
marital, health, or spiritual life – can
create traumas that skew our focus and cause our
priorities to get unbalanced. To be
focused in a way that breeds balance and joy and
happiness, calls upon us in a very deep and profound
way.
Thus, what is going to take any of us to that next level
of success is a very individual
matter. The first order is to understand what we
really want. What, in our hearts is
success? Success is a personal matter.
And it is important to understand that we are
always successful. If, in our heart, we
want one thing and we are co-opted to set goals
for something else, in our heart we will
not believe in our goal and the likelihood of
achieving that goal is remote. And if it is
achieved, the odds of it bringing happiness
are remoter still. On the other hand if we bring
our goals into alignment with our
values – what we really want – then we
have the full faith and authority of the human
mind body and soul – working. And then,
it is not even like work. It’s like walking to the
goal line, because it is just where we are directed.
Once we become aware of our values and goals, the
movement toward those goals
has material effect on those around us. As such, it
necessarily involves family, friends
and associates. It may even impact what we have
always thought we believed but
realize that such a belief no longer serves the
good we want to achieve. A common
issue of this nature occurs when a client
or potential client presents a lawyer,
tradesperson or any service provider,
with a problem. It is often natural to the
professional to begin fixing the problem with the
assumption that the finances can be
worked out later. This action comes from
a well-meaning place on the part of the
professional that is based on a whole set
of personal beliefs and values that may or
may not be shared by the prospective
client This is a situation that is likely to end in a
payment dispute. This is a small example but one
that results in tremendous loss
and bad feelings in a service business. It really
requires an evaluation of values on
the part of the professional.
Success may mean spending less time with the family or it may mean
spending more
time with the family. This is going to have impact
all around. What is key is to develop
for yourself what is important to you so
that your values and actions are aligned. This
is an approach that results in our being
clear and direct with others because we are
clear with ourselves about what we are doing and why.
This is a process that lays the foundation for success,
not only in the short run, but in
the long run as well. In the course of any financial
success, will come temptation.
Challenges to our character, which is the steam engine
of our vision, increase with
success. When our goals are aligned with
something other than our personal values,
it is then that we are vulnerable to
taking a detour that is dangerous. And, the more
successful we are the more dangerous that can be. To
align our vision then, with our
values, is one of the key bricks in the foundation of
lasting success.
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