Dr.Mani says...

About Success & Scorecards

When I was in eighth grade in school, I received a gift. A plaque to keep on my desktop, or somewhere easily visible. It had a picture of Charlie Brown talking to Lucy.

Charlie says: "Always remember - Money is NOT everything!"

And in the background, Lucy mutters under her breath: "And also remember to make a lot of it before talking such nonsense!"

:)

Well, having earned the right to 'talk such nonsense', I want to share some insight I gained while showering this morning (yes, some of my best thoughts and ideas come under the hot water stream)

Today, I was wondering about SUCCESS. What it means? How it's measured? When does it come? And indeed, what it IS.

Some months ago, I wrote a special report with the title: "How Long Does Success Take?" Several thousand people read it and wrote back with comments and feedback. It's one of the best reports I've ever written - and it still is free (download it here)

But one thing I had not done was define what my idea of success is.

And it isn't easy to define. What's more, your idea of success will definitely be different from mine - it's completely individual. And that's why each of us has a different yardstick to measure it. To track it. To keep score.

A Success Scorecard, if you want to call it that.

The deepest insight I got, however, was that often we mistake the scorecard for success itself.

For example, one measure of success may be money. The amount you earn. The portion you keep and grow. The size of your bank balance, or the assets you own, or the lifestyle you live.

Another measure of success may be the people you help. How many folks you employ or manage. What impact you have on their lives. Why people look up to you, admire you, respect you.

One more way to keep track of success may be the status you have reached. Your job title, position in a club or association, your standing in your community.

There are many more.

But they are all scorecards. Externally focussed pieces of evidence to show others that you've managed to do something of importance. Stuff the rest of the world looks at and goes:

"Ah, s/he's done all that. S/he's a success."

Don't confuse them with success itself!

There are far too many 'silent successes' in the world - and they have/do/need none of these 'scorecards'.

How can you then know you have achieved 'success'?

By your feeling of content or fulfillment. How secure and confident you are about having achieved your purpose in life. The things you look back on with pride and satisfaction - and joy.

Not everyone wants the same 'success' others want. Many are satisfied, completely ecstatically delighted, with a 'different' kind of success. And it matters no more or less than others.

I'm a heart surgeon. You may be a fantastic artist. You might never be able to carry out a complicated heart operation. I may never be able to paint a masterpiece. We can both be great successes - indeed, we both will... as long as we stay focussed on the 'success' and NOT on the 'scorecard'.

Do you achieve great things - and get many others to take notice of it?

Then you're successful... if that's what you wanted to do.

Do you achieve things, benefit from them, even if others don't know what you've done?

Then you're successful, too... as long as you are not making your 'fame' the primary goal of your efforts.

Do you take action, make everything you do effective?

Then, again, you're successful... even if you don't get all the rewards you hope for, or expect, or even deserve. That's if you stay focussed on the things you managed to get done - not on the external 'perceived' benefits of your actions.

Do you do something - anything, really - based on your dreams?

Well, congratulate yourself. You're a success. Yes, already. The external rewards will come in time. But they don't really matter. By acting out your dream, you're already in exalted company!

Do you dream?

Believe it or not, you're a success. Honest. Every great fortune, every great achievement, every effort to change the world and make it a better (or worse) place - it all started with a dream. You've taken the first step - and that makes you a success.

The vast majority of the world's population isn't even at your level. They merely exist, stumbling from one day to the next, apathetic, disinterested, even too scared to DREAM!

And it takes courage, a special kind of 'success orientation', to dream.

Because you dream about change, about better things, about making a difference. And then, if you dream vividly enough, you can't just stop there. You have to follow up with action. And in time, you WILL make a difference - to yourself, to the people and things around you, and the world.

So...

Dream.

Dream of success.

Achieve success.

And when you do, don't forget to ENJOY your success.

Don't let your 'scorecard' take away from the exhilaration of your 'success'

May the year ahead be the one where you live your dreams - and relish your success.

I'll sign off with a "Happy New Year"... and wish you

All success

Dr.Mani

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