Here’s a question for you: What is more important - Achievement, or fulfillment?
This is something I’ve really been challenged with over the last 7 years. Even before that - coming out of a challenging upbringing. When I look back at my reaction and how I chose to live my life as a result of that environment, I was inspired by my mom working hard to provide for my sister and I.
When I look at all of that and how I reacted to it, I chose the path of achievement. There’s definitely a step by step path. I could tell you all the things you need to do to be successful - even in the non-traditional sense. Traditional success is actually horrible. You have hardly any relief from your business, and it overwhelms you.
That path is quite predictable. There’s even a science around it. First, you have to get to know where you’re spending your time, then understand all the things a leader/manager/owner needs to do. We get you to start using the business freedom planner. We get you set up with a 3-1-90. The steps are all there - but the catch is that it may not lead you to fulfillment.
The problem is that sometimes, we get so caught up in achieving at a high level in one area that we ignore all the rest. You don’t want to miss out on all the good stuff! Personally, one of my biggest struggles is that I’ve been so focused on achievement, that I’ve been exhausting my team. Anything they do is never enough. It’s not about the money, it’s about the work.
It can be harmful to your relationships. The science of achievement can be mastered, but fulfillment is an art. It requires slowing down and installing some practices in your life that will allow you to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. It allows you to remember that there are folks struggling around you, and affords you the sympathy to connect with them.
I read a book about leadership and self-deception. In the book it talks about being ‘in the box’ where you view people as pawns in your business and your life - you need to get out of the box to realize that they are just people like you and I.
The thing is, when I’m in the box, I feel less fulfilled. Viewing people as objects to control, or instruments you can use to carry out YOUR will, is not a fulfilling viewpoint.
Growing up, it was me against the world. I shut my door, I did my homework, I wasn’t going to cause any trouble, I was self motivated and driven.
Now, every week I go through a process. I look back to the week before. For those of us who have mastered the science of achievement, this is one of the easiest segues into fulfillment, because processes are very methodical and scientific. This process is something I can do systematically to make sure I’m experiencing joy, realizing my impact, etc.
Every week - list 3 to 5 wins you had in the last 7 days.
List weekly commitments. Did you miss them or achieve them? Why?
Ask yourself what’s working and what’s not working in your business. What could you do to change that?
What will you keep, improve, start, or stop doing?
