Success = Happiness?
Posted on March 18, 2013 by Heidi Howley, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.
How do you define success and how does it relate to your happiness?
When we look at what defines success, most people will think of financial success, maybe a career advancement or making a nice profit in your business. But is that truly what success is?
Could success also mean living a balanced life, having not only a career that is rewarding or a business that is prospering but also a happy marriage or relationship, a body that is vibrant and healthy and enough time for fun, being able to have a hobby or spend time with friends?
In a recent coaching session a client stated that for him success and happiness were the same thing.
If it were, would work/life balance make you happier?
Here is an article in the Wall Street Journal about happiness at the workplace (Nov. 25, 2012):
http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2012/11/25/five-ways-to-be-happy-and-productive-at-work/
I recently read that the Bhutanese have introduced a Minister for Happiness.
This Himalayan kingdom has a new measurement of national prosperity too – “gross national happiness”. By focusing on people’s well-being rather than economic productivity, there is likely to be a knock-on effect for business too. After all, a happy workforce makes for a more successful and productive team.
Success and money can contribute to happiness, but happiness itself is another thing altogether. Words like ‘family’, ‘friends’, ‘love’ and ‘laughter’ have a lot more to do with happiness than words like ‘gross’, ‘capital’ and ‘revenue’.
Money is a by-product of bigger, more meaningful goals such as passion, fun and wisdom. You have heard this: “Do what you love and the money will come.”
Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from the Bhutanese and their Minister for Happiness. What other measurements for success are important to you?
