Written by: Cathy Dimarchos, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.” ―Winston S. Churchill
Life has so much in stall for us, but at times we are so caught up in the urgent and the quick success or self-gratification that we seldom think about “what else?” Yet this is a fundamental part of success.
No matter who you are or what you do, knowing what it is that you are striving to achieve will lead you to success, but as I ask you to think about what your success is based on, what would you say?
Does success revolve around revenue, sales, increase in staff, another location to be added to the global expansion?
What does success really mean?
Before you respond, I want to reassure you that these are all important, but fundamentally why do you do what you do? Why do any of us do what we do?
This week I saw someone sharing a story of how disappointed they were they had worked so hard to develop a program, invested money in marketing, set a date to launch but only had a handful of people turn up. They asked for advice on what they could have done differently to have increased numbers of attendance; a valid question indeed.
Self-reflection is part of our growth strategy so that we can strengthen it as we move forward.
But at that moment, I paused so I could understand what was being asked.
You see I can both understand and appreciate the situation of having invested both time and money into something that you are so passionate about, but I have also begun to yield the benefits of gratitude for what I have and to place value in things that I now see as “what else” matters most.
So, as I reflected on this, I considered what success truly meant.
My reframed perspective has identified that success is not measured by what I don’t have but by what is in front of me.
It is our commitment to radiate and impart the knowledge and skills that are within us so that those who have made themselves available today feel like they are valued for being exactly where you have asked them to be.
You see, success is about the gift that we are able to give today so that others may succeed.
After all, it isn’t that why we do what we do? So that we may serve and elevate those around us.
“What else” is about what else can I do to ensure that what I have is enough to serve the person that I am there for, or better still, to provide the gift that is needed by them in that moment.
Others may come tomorrow or the day after. In fact, others may come because of the services you have given to those few who are here today.
But if you are not present now with them, you have lost them as well.
So, as you reflect on what you have achieved – your success, consider how you have impacted the person, the team, or the business that you are there to serve. If they feel like they have received your gift, “your service,” then you have succeeded. If not, the question of “what else” is about how you could have served them better today?
Life worth living is not about self but about what we can do for others.
True success is measured by how those around us feel after you have shared your service, your gift.
If you feel this has helped change your lens, please share or offer other suggestions so that we can all elevate one another.
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Cathy Dimarchos, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Cathy Dimarchos is an award-winning business advisor, mentoring and coaching leaders internationally, and is an indefatigable philanthropist who believes we can all contribute to lifting the baseline of people across the world one person at a time.
She founded Solutions2you with the purpose of impacting so that she can serve others and leave a lasting imprint. As a professional advisor and motivational voice, Cathy dedicates her time to perfecting a combination of people, business, and situational skills. Her values take center stage, and business becomes honest and expressive. She believes that knowledge exchange leads to self-reliance with effective and sustainable outcomes.
Her Advisory services extend to New and Established Entrepreneurs, teams, and large corporates and support people to become antifragile in a world that is forever changing, stretching their boundaries.
“When we rise, it is important to also lift those around us” — Cathy Dimarchos.
