A guest post by Anastasiya Goers of Balance In Me
What does success mean to you?
I know that every single person dreams of some sort of success. Is it success in business? Is it success in family? Is it success in health? Or is it success in being a good person and making a difference in this world?
All of these definitions are right but I think it is even more important to live a balanced life of success. Successful living is more than just having a certain amount in your bank account or reaching a certain career height. Successful living in the broadest sense is
- a life that is full of opportunities that you are not afraid to try,
- a life full of fun and meaningful work,
- a life where you can spend plenty of time with the people you care about,
- a life that you live without regrets.
Doesn’t this life sound wonderful?
There are no secrets to living a successful life, but there are a few keys that we sometimes overlook. First take a look at the 9-step guide to finding success in life and when you are done let’s sprinkle a little bit of balance on them.
1. Slow Down.
The reason why we sometimes overlook success in life is because we are always in a hurry. We are in a hurry to get somewhere (without thinking whether we really need to be there or not.) We are in a hurry to reach a goal without thinking whether that goal is what we want or not.
Allow yourself to slow down, relax, breathe and ponder on what success truly is for you. Let yourself break free from the expectations of others and the norms that our society dictates to us. Set your own rules that are meaningful and important to you.
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.
~Dale Carnegie
2. Eliminate what you do not need.
After you have mastered step #1 it is time to move on and declutter your lifestyle. Success does not mean being a superman or a superwoman. You do not have to run a marathon in order to be in good shape – just 30 minutes of running or brisk walking daily is enough.
You do not have to drive a very expensive car in order to show your status.
You do not have to be someone you do not want to be.
Eliminate goals that are not meaningful to you, declutter your house, stop communicating with people who drain you emotionally, and give up “empty” activities (TV and too much internet surfing are definitely the first ones to go.)
By getting rid of things that you do not need you make room for success in your life.
3. Do not be afraid to fail.
Failure is success if we learn from it.
~Malcolm Forbes
Failures are inevitable on any path, especially path to success. There are no doubts that sooner or later you will make a mistake or your attempts will fail. However, letting this failure stop your journey towards success is the biggest mistake that you can make.
Failure is just a stop sign on the road. Just because it is on your way it does not mean that you have to finish your journey. Stop, wait, go.
4. Learn perseverance.
“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”
~John D. Rockefeller
If you are not afraid to fail anymore you have to learn to persevere no matter what you are doing. Thomas Edison had tried thousands of times to make the electric light bulb. He said, “I haven’t failed, I’ve identified 10,000 ways that it doesn’t work.” Of course through his perseverance we enjoy light in our houses today.
Giving up on something in life is always the easiest route, but it is not the route that will take you to success. Right now I am trying to potty-train my twin-girls (all parents out there probably know how much perseverance and patience you must have to do that.) So far all my efforts have failed but it does not mean that I am giving up.
We all have projects that seem too big, too difficult or too impossible. If we can persevere, all those projects will be a success.
5. Believe in something greater than you.
There are powers in this world that are much greater than us. The power that you choose to believe in can be Nature, Universe, God … The only power in this world that is limited is the power of a self-centered human.
When you believe in nothing greater than yourself you give room to selfishness and pride which eventually lead to envy, jealousy, and inner emptiness. True successful living does not stop on materialistic achievements; it takes you on the journey towards natural spirituality and infinite growth.
6. Take time to love and be loved.
What is life if there is no room in it for love? What is the point of that existence?
What is the point of working hard if this work does not bring any results besides money in your bank account?
What is the point of living in a big house if that house stays cold and empty all the time?
Love is truly the greatest power in this world. It will inspire you, it will motivate you, and it will give you strength when you need it.
7. Think of someone else besides you.
Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.
~Albert Einstein
If your life is more than a tribute to … well … you then your life will be a success. If your efforts are not based on selfishness but rather on generosity and kindness of your heart then no matter what you do in life you will be successful. When you stop thinking only about yourself you discover a completely new meaning of successful living.
What does success mean to you now?
Anastasiya is the author behind the BalanceInMe blog – a place for people interested in practical life balance strategies. She is passionate about helping people find their balance in different areas of life: work, family, health, lifestyle, spirituality and others. She also a runs virtual Life Balance Retreats for people interested in making lasting changes in their lives.
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I like the second part of Dale Carnegie’s quote “…Happiness is wanting what you get.” Or to state it differently, we should learn to want what we have. As you mention, we’re always in such a rush – looking for the next, best thing, experience, partner, job, etc….and it seems we can’t seem to slow down and appreciate what we have. When we can first learn to be content, here and now with what we have, we will have a much easier time finding happiness in our lives.
Nate´s last [type] ..How to Cultivate Compassion and Generosity Through the Practice of Transcendent Diligence
I couldn’t agree more, Nate. Most of the time happiness is right here, within our reach but we just do not see it. Taking a few minutes a day to stop and think is often enough to bring contentment and peace in our lives.
Anastasiya´s last [type] ..The Secret Sauce to Getting Past an Overwhelming Life
Thank you for featuring one of my favorite balance bloggers here today. Anastasiya always has great advice and keen insight on living a balanced life and this post is no exception. Number six makes my heart sing a happy tune. Thanks, ladies!
Clearly Composed´s last [type] .. The ABC’s of Inspiration
Thank you fir your warm words, Emma. I am really honored to be among your favorite balanced bloggers. And I am very happy that you enjoyed the post.
Anastasiya´s last [type] ..The Secret Sauce to Getting Past an Overwhelming Life
GOOD …GO AHEAD………
Very good post – do not be afraid to fail is a lesson I’ve only recently learnt. And I can give personal testimony to the joys of decluttering. A few weeks ago I got rid of my television. I’ve gained so much time and freedom, and I don’t miss any of the shows I thought I would. I watch DVDs on my PC occasionally. The surprise was how much better it feels walking into my living room and not having that big screen be the focal point of the room.
Tess Giles Marshall´s last [type] ..Let’s talk about body image
Tess, I think that learning to fail is a lesson that is always hard to learn. It is even a painful lesson a lot of times (and nobody likes pain!) I keep reminding myself about this lesson over and over again because my type-A personality often pushes me over the edge when it comes to achievements.
Anastasiya´s last [type] ..The Secret Sauce to Getting Past an Overwhelming Life
This principles are basic and very simple. But too often we forget to follow them.
Thank you to remind us through your article.
Roger´s last [type] ..Immobilier – 7 erreurs fatales à éviter pour mieux vendre son bien immobilier
Very good post. I liked each and every point that you pointed to be successful. I just want to add to your fifth point (Believe in something greater than you.). I come from East part of the world, and it is different from Western world. We give respect to our elders and no matter what they do. We take blessing from parents and gurus by touching their feet. This will help us from lot of things especially from ego and pride. When we touch their feet we no longer think that we are greatest. When we don’t think we are greatest then we control our ego and pride. I don’t say to do this here but I just remembered about it while reading.
Sunil, thank you for sharing this tradition with us. I think most of us, Westerners, should pay more respect to our parents and elders in general. It will help us to humble ourselves and get rid of excess pride and ego. Thanks you.
Anastasiya´s last [type] ..The Secret Sauce to Getting Past an Overwhelming Life
Great list.Thanks for your sharing.
I think that Eliminate what you do not need and Do not be afraid to fail are the key for get the success in life
van025´s last [type] ..240 SF COLOR OUTDOOR CAMPING TENT PUZZLE FOAM PLAY MAT
This is such a “feel good” post for those of us who are losing perspective or are out of balance “temporarily.”
I have a ton of changes that are in limbo. I don’t like that feeling?
Your suggestion of de-cluttering is one that always helps me feel more in balance. Just wish my husband felt the same way.
I always feel like volunteering in a third-world country, which I’ve done before, when I lose perspective of what’s important in life. Thanks for the boost today. Sonia.
Hi Anastasiya,
I just happened to be reflecting on success, so this article is timely in a way since my mind is geared towards the topic. I like how you point out that it is important to live a balanced life of success. I believe that having balance in life is the key to good living. We could never maintain extreme habits or actions for long. They are unnatural and what is unnatural cannot last without sustained effort. Having balance in life causes our actions to have a naturalness to them. When we act in a natural way is it any wonder that success is more likely to happen?
All your points are important but the ones that stand out most for me is perseverance and how we should not be afraid to fail. The road to success is rarely smooth, but this is simply because life is shaping and preparing us for actual success. This is why we should not be afraid to fail for failure is a natural part of success. From failure we gain the wisdom, experience and the capacity to succeed and sustain our success. As such, we need perseverance to see us through to the end.
I believe it is important to have a higher purpose, as you say to believe in something greater than you. When we find a purpose that aligns with our being, it gives us great drive to do what we can to fulfill this purpose. When our purpose and nature aligns, the drive we have comes naturally and we will always find a way to overcome obstacles to reach our goals and succeed.
Thank you for writing this lovely article Anastasiya and thank you Mary for sharing it!
Irving the Vizier
The Vizier´s last [type] ..The Vizier on the Importance of Timing
I like the idea of “eliminating goals that are not meaningful to you.” So many of us have goals for our bodies, homes, or lives that are just reflections of what other people think we should be. Sitting down and deciding what we really want, what our goals truly are, is so important.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Amy´s last [type] ..Why I&8217m Becoming a Bag Lady
Several good points – a good post.
Sometimes it seems almost impossible to say no to new things, or cancel existing commitments, and it can be very easy to get overloaded as a result. There’s real wisdom in knowing when to simply stop, and take time and slow down.
I regularly manage to stop myself before I burn out, I struggle to prevent myself then taking back on too many commitments and doing the same thing again.
Balance in life always seems elusive – whatever I’m doing I seem to be thinking of the next thing . . . clearly I need to be a bit more present focussed and a little less future focussed.
“In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.”(Albert Schweitzer) I agree that it’s essential to slow down, look around and be grateful with the things/people around us. Success is meaningless when we keep busy pursuing our goals and fail to love and appreciate the things we already have.
Hi Anastasiya,
Wonderful thoughts on balance… I enjoyed reading this so much, thank you! Sometimes the best thing I can do is to eliminate goals that are not meaningful. And taking the time to not just focus on work or tasks, but to enjoy time with and help the people I love — to love and be loved. Happy day and many simple joys to you :~)
Sue
Sue Alexander | Inspired Type´s last [type] ..This Sweet Life
The last point hit right home for me. For many years I lived alone and was constantly concerned of my own welfare. But when I got into a relationship, it changed everything. Also when I had to work managing a group of people, I had to be selfless. All of these happening taught me great lessons. Great post, by the way!
Karoline´s last [type] ..En anden måde at finde en billig 4-stjernet ferie på
When I woke up this morning it was the most miserable day ever. The wind was howling, rain was pouring down and the sky was dark. “What a miserable day,” I thought, “I won’t be walking to the grocery store today.” Normally, I walk to the store and I have a few things to pick up for dinner tonight. Sometimes. The happy life is from simple things
Lovely, supportive post. For me, the core essence of success is to learn live from the heart, cultivating compassion for all beings, beginning with ourselves, and radiating outwards.
mary jane´s last [type] ..The Kalasha–Pagan Tribe of the Silk Road
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