Good morning!
One of the many lessons coming out of the years-long pandemic when the world essentially stopped for an extended period was that our work lives have been reimagined. Pre-pandemic, few people enjoyed the flexibility of working from home or other remote locations.
It was standard thought that collaborating or participating in a meeting required a face-to-face presence. The limitations wrought by the pandemic taught us that many of us can be just as or even more productive working remotely while eliminating the daily commute. And that a Zoom call can often suffice for many routine meetings. Many organizations even determined that many meetings were altogether unnecessary and eliminated them, itself enhancing productivity.
One of the other major realizations heavily discussed is a desire to continue the new-found balance of working to live, rather than living to work. That there is far more to life than our careers or our possessions. Some business thought leaders have written that companies wishing to simply return to pre-pandemic practices by diktat are finding it challenging and seeing employees choosing to resign rather than resuming the previous status quo.
In the spirit of these discoveries, today's blog is all about Embracing the Unseen Achievements: A Journey to Self-Discovery and Fulfillment.
In a world fixated on external markers of success – be it sales figures, value of house or cars, social circles or the prestige of your alma mater – it's easy to lose sight of the achievements that truly matter: the ones within ourselves. Society bombards us with the notion that our worth is measured by tangible accomplishments, leaving little room for the intangible victories that shape our personal growth and well-being.
We navigate through life armed with tools to chase after the next big promotion, increase our bank balance or expand our social networks. Yet, in this pursuit, we often neglect the most crucial aspect of our existence – our relationship with ourselves.
Our education system and professional training predominantly emphasize outwardly-focused skills – from exceeding shareholder expectations to customer and employee relations to conflict resolution. Rarely do we receive guidance on the art of self-care, self-awareness and self-compassion. The pressure to have all the answers, coupled with the expectation of unwavering confidence, often leads to a facade of success that crumbles under the weight of insecurities. Not to mention that how can we show empathy toward others when we haven't learned to practice self-empathy by showing ourselves kindness and compassion and refraining from being harder on ourselves than we are on others?
Leaders, both in title and in life, are expected to exude confidence without acknowledging the internal battles they may be fighting. The paradox lies in the fact that many high-level executives, seemingly at the pinnacle of success, grapple with deep-seated insecurities and fear of losing it all. This struggle manifests in micromanagement and egocentric behavior, creating a toxic environment that others wish to escape.
But what if our focus shifted from external validations to internal revelations? What if, instead of measuring success by societal standards, we gauged it by our ability to practice self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance?
When was the last time you enrolled in a course that enhanced your self-awareness? How many MBA programs prioritize the pursuit of a whole and fulfilled life over a career-centric one? The shift begins when we recognize that self-esteem and self-acceptance are distinct entities, and true fulfillment lies in the harmonious balance of both.
Imagine a world where achievements are not merely counted in dollars, titles or square footage, but in the moments of self-reflection, personal growth and the resilience to navigate life's challenges with grace. It's a journey that goes beyond the boardroom and into the core of our being, where success is measured by the authenticity of our connections, the depth of our self-awareness and the kindness we extend to ourselves when we falter.
Such a suggestion before the pandemic would have been scorned as selfish and disloyal to our employers. The pandemic gave all of us an opportunity to try things drastically differently than our lives had ever afforded. This is not an indictment of working hard and being dedicated to all forms of success, but rather it suggests that we view our lives more holistically and dare to imagine that a date night with our partners, attending a special function with our children or even spending time in our own quiet to improve our physical and mental health, can be treated with the same priority as a major work project or tomorrow's presentation. Of course, it's always been an ebb and flow proposition and that so called "work/life balance" can be elusive and requires varying priorities at different times. But previously, the non-work activities were inevitably short-shrift to the pressures of our jobs to the detriment of our physical and mental health and general happiness.
Let's break free from the shackles of societal expectations and embark on a quest for the unseen achievements – the ones that breathe life into our souls and pave the way for a truly fulfilled existence. It's time to redefine success, one mindful step at a time. Many found it during the pandemic and it offers hope that it's available to all of us.
While my wish for you certainly includes success and job-satisfaction, it also includes that you achieve a fulfilled, balanced life of joy and significance where your legacy is dominated by things beyond the positions or possessions you acquired along your journey. Start today and see the difference you feel a year from now!
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