Today, the topic of success was brought up in conversation, and someone commented on the extent of my own personal success. It made me think about how other people see us, and I realised that sometimes another person’s measure of success might be quite different to our own.
When I look at my own life, I find many different periods that are layered with both failure and success and I realise it is often our own expectations which divide the two.
Years ago, I ran a marathon. In the leadup to the event I trained well for four months and going into the race I was confident I’d finish around the four-hour mark. After 21kms I was on track, then, at the 26km mark I got cramps in my right leg. It was 33° and no matter what I did those cramps would not go away. For the next 16kms, I proceeded to run, walk, and hobble to the finish line. I completed that marathon in five hours.
Did I succeed?
My mum, dad, and son were all at the finish line when I crossed it and they considered my run a great success. Others said they could never run 16kms, let alone with cramps, yet in my eyes I had failed. I had failed to finish in the time expected and following that race I spent many months doubting my own abilities.
This is just one example in my life where others saw success, yet I had not reached my goal, or more importantly, lived up to my own personal expectations.
Whether it be business, work, sport or relationships, we all set personal goals and expectations that we wish to achieve. On reflection, and after 25 years in business, here’s what I have learnt about success…
- Be grateful for what you have right now. We often have amazing things in our life that we can’t see because we are so focused on what we don’t have.
- When people close to you are proud, complimenting, and cheering you on, take notice. You may not have exceeded your own expectations, but you may have achieved something great none the less.
- Encourage and stand beside the people close to you, reassure, listen, and care for their dreams. We all have doubts, we all have moments of fears and frustration. With love, kindness and encouragement, we can all climb that mountain and reach the success we are aiming for.
- Be patient. Success does not happen overnight it takes hard work and energy. It also may take you to a point where you need to face your fears or be vulnerable.
- Realise that everyone measures success differently. There is no right or wrong and every individual is unique. For me I want my success to reflect in the relationships I have and the lives we can help.
Form1 is proud to celebrate 25 successful years in business in 2023.
To learn more about some of our great milestones, read the blog here.
