This post is not about marketing. It’s far more important than that.
A recent newsletter I got from a well known Internet Marketer contained the following statement:
“Any entrepreneurs goal should be success.”
I think that statement needs qualifying in a big way.
If the definition of success is ‘happiness’, (for either self or others), then I absolutely agree.
But if the definition of success is “accumulate mounds of cash” then my experiences of not so many years ago make me strongly disagree.
In 1996 my rather simplistic definition of success was the latter… “build a big business with lots of employees and assets. Make lots of money”.
I was a keyboard prostitute.
I’d do anything I could to make money in the pursuit of success as per the previous definition.
I’d take on any computer related project I could get. Any client who wanted me. And I allowed myself to be treat like dirt on the bottom of a few client’s shoes… so long as there was a project payday.
I spent endless hours working for clients I didn’t really like (the “banging their fist on the table screaming “I must have it tomorrow!” variety.. they were usually the worst payers also). Revenues were good. Life sucked.
Yes obviously money can bring happiness, but what’s the point if the process of acquiring great wealth eats up months and years of irretrievable life time?
I just heard from a business owner I haven’t spoken to in a few years. She’s closing down her business after more than 30 years of trading, because it’s no longer viable.
The common reaction is ‘how sad’. But it’s not sad if the business is being closed to set people free so they can pursue some other venture that they really enjoy doing.
I started changing what I do in 2004 — it was only in 2006 when I’d arrived… when I had finished cutting away all the detritus that I’d allowed (and actually encouraged) to build up.
There was a lot of ‘pain’ in the process but it was worth it.
I LOVE what I do these days. The amazing people I meet on and offline. And I love the work I do. (In fact it’s a struggle calling it ‘work’, but I guess that’s a label everyone understands.)
But I sometimes shudder at the thought of what 2007 would have been like had I NOT made the (at the time very challenging) decision to do a 180 degree change in direction.
Also, the word ‘Goal’ implies it’s ALL about the destination. But what about the journey? Surely that’s just as (if not a lot more) important.
Are YOU really, truly happy in your pursuit for success.
If the answer is YES then I’m deeply delighted for you.
If the answer is NO, that truthfully you could be a lot happier, then maybe it’s time you sat down and had a long chat with yourself.
It’s never too late.
What would make you more happy… continue what you’re doing for the rest of your working like, or change things and be really happy… maybe for the first time in a LONG time?
Yes change can be painful. It was for me. But most people who have done it end up wishing they did it a long, long time ago.
-Ed.
