How to be successful
19 October 2024
These are my tips on being successful based on my business and nonprofit experience.
Accept the reality of the way the world works. You can work to change it, but if you are trying to be successful based on a model of a world that doesn’t exist, it will be difficult.
Figure out what success means to you. For some, it means accumulating large amounts of money, although often, these people are miserable. For me, it means doing what I want with my life, even if the results of my efforts are often disappointing.
Make sure that, other than your reasonable responsibilities, you are living your life for you, not your parents (this is often subconscious) or for others that you cannot say no to. I needed therapy to figure theses things out - perhaps you do too.
Stay away from evil people and institutions, particularly regarding money. This includes people or institutions who lie on a regular basis or are indifferent to the truth. I avoid these individuals or institutions to the extent I can. Evil is seductive - avoid it or it will damage your life.
Make the best choices you can but do make a choice on voting and other important issues. Adults recognize that we cannot get everything we want but support people and institutions that are moving the world in the right direction. Children throw temper tantrums or withdraw when everything doesn’t go their way. Better to act as an adult.
Participate in our government and politics to some extent. It helps you understand how the world works, makes you more confident and makes others appreciate you more.
Try to make the world a better place, in other ways. I suggest focusing on one or two of your interests. Change is slow, but over time, our efforts do make a difference.
Paragraphs 6 and 7 echo this quote from the Jewish sage Hillel:
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
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