Wealth, Happiness and Autumn Leaves – The Meaning Of Success

I’m going to tell you something that might shock you….

When I first started out in business, and in fact throughout my whole life, I had always wanted to be “a success”.

The Meaning of Success

“Success” for me was directly proportionate to the money/income I hoped to make. It was my reason for being one of the highest earners in my company when I was employed (I was motivated by the big bonuses) and it was the main reason for starting my own business.

When I started to make good money in my business, I got excited because it felt like all my goals and dreams were coming true. It felt as though I was discovering the true meaning of success. My company was generating a high income and I was suddenly in the fortunate position of having a lot of available money. I was a success!

I went out and bought all the things you would expect a young person to buy when they acquire good money. I bought a Porsche convertible, a 50inch TV cinema screen (that was so big you could probably view it from outer space), put an offer down on a huge house that was absurdly too big for my needs. This was the big time; I had made it and had found the meaning of success. Or so I thought…

Outside Looking In

One day I was standing outside this big house I was shortly going to be moving into…I was “standing outside and looking in” and somehow this was how I felt about my own life. I was miserable. I had discovered the meaning of success and yet I wasn’t happy. How could I not be happy when I had all of these amazing things?

It was only later on that I realized something really big; all of my life I had attached too much meaning to material things. Now, I really don’t want to distract people from their dream of owning that Ferrari; its important to have goals and I strongly recommend goal setting – but things really are just ‘things’.

All of the happiness in life comes from within you.

When you are content “inside” you will be much more likely to make money and enjoy your money. You will also be less likely to become like the lottery millionaire who spends and spends until it’s all gone in the mistaken belief that it will be the better car or the better house that will make them happy. I’ve discovered that the meaning of success is not based on what you own, its about how you feel about yourself, the quality of your life and the contribution you make to those around you.

Nowadays I am still motivated by the acquisition of money; I still want a lot more of it and I enjoy earning it. I also love seeing people use the money they make to give them a better lifestyle and to spend time with the people they love – but now everything is different and I understand the meaning of success.

I discovered that making money is merely part of life’s game and I attach no meaning to it..

6 IMPORTANT STEPS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU DISCOVER THE MEANING OF SUCCESS

• Happiness really does come from within; it’s a cliché but its true.

• Greed is a toxic and selfish desire that will eventually destroy even lucky people.

• You won’t ever feel good about the money you make if you make it by providing a crappy product or service. We must all choose our paths carefully and focus on integrity.

• You will enjoy your money much more (when you make it big) if you realize that the making of money is merely one of life’s games. Don’t place too much value on it and don’t tie you own self worth to whether you have it or not;

• There is nothing more important in this life than your family, and the people around you who love you and who care about you.

• Time means more than money; make all the money in the world but always make time to take that walk on a beautiful autumn weekend, kick up the fallen leaves and hold the hand of the person you love. No amount of money can beat that feeling!