A Parallel Path Called Success

My article as featured on Headhonchos.com on October 4, 2012 – A Parallel Path Called Success.

What does the word success really mean? And how does one measure it exactly?

Let’s get to the bottom of this power packed, 7-letter word. It’s a word we use throughout our entire career and for that matter, our lives. It’s something we all strive towards, from a young age until our last breath. In fact, if we are not striving for success, we are sometimes looked down upon or even shunned within society, almost as if we aren’t able to live up to some “unsaid” expectation.

Intrinsically, our society has created this word as an “aspiration” which eventually forms within us an “aspirational attitude.” We want to be known as successful people. We want to be someone who has achieved enough in their life.

But then the question arises, just how much is enough?

Does achievement have to be tied to money, houses and accumulated wealth or is it more about the quality of life one has lived? Does being a good mother or father denote living a successful life or is success only achieved by those who have climbed the corporate ladder and boast of two houses, a yacht and have managed to see the world before the age of 50?

Each one of us has dealt with questions around this tricky and even confusing word. How do we measure our success? What does it take to be successful? Does the benchmark keep getting higher? Do the stakes keep getting tougher? Do we have to be a certain personality type? Does our environment play a role? And so on…

It’s important to look at this word, not as something we want to achieve, but rather as something that moves in tandem with us, throughout our lives. A parallel path almost. In other words, all the paths we take and choices we make, ride alongside us. Even in down times, success is then, still with us. We must simply realize that it is not that we have failed or been unable to achieve something, we just need to take a detour in our path or start on a new one. This way, success follows us and is around us everywhere, within everything we do in our lives.

And for each one of us that “everything” can be and is different. And that’s absolutely OK. It’s supposed to be that way. You may be on a path leading to Australia or to Canada. If you go by car, you may take weeks to reach and if you go by flight, you will reach within a matter of hours. Either way, you will reach your destination, sooner or later. So striving for different things in your life whether it be a better job, a higher quality of living or being the best chef or homemaker all have some form of success tied to it. It’s your individual journey so focus rather on the very path or road you take and make it the best. Make sure your road is enjoyable, clear and with minimal bumps. Be sure to look around at the scenery, take it for what it is and learn from it.

And once you do that, and really absorb this belief, you will begin to understand that success is within each one of our lives, in its own way. It’s not something we get to eventually. It’s within our reach and incorporated in so many of our daily activities. It is inside of you.

So now, the question that begs an answer is, does failure really exist? You can decide this one for yourself.

About the Author:

Bina Jhaveri has over 20 years of global professional experience, as reputed business consultant, an intuitive strategist, executive and spirit coach. She works with professionals from several corporates, forging unique partnerships, helping them attain and exceed their goals whilst generating path-breaking results within their lives. Bina is also a writer by passion, who writes for several lifestyle magazines & blogs.