The Evolution of Success

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ~~Ursula K. LeGuin~~

Success is a moving target. It keeps evolving. As I achieve a goal or reach a destination, I find there is always more that can be achieved and reached. The way I achieve said success, then, needs to evolve as well. My destination keeps changing and therefore so must my path.

I often write about enjoying the journey. So, it seems fitting that today, what would have been my “attitude” day, that I was inspired to write about this. It’s sometimes hard to keep that positive attitude when you feel overwhelmed by change. But, since I strongly believe that it is “mission critical” to stay positive and rise above the stress I work hard to maintain that attitude.

I also strongly believe that change is good. It keeps us moving, helps keep us motivated, and often drives us to be the best we can be. Change keeps me on my toes, keeps me sharp, and enables me to adapt, learn, and grow. While it can be scary, when you trust your instincts, believe in yourself, and do your best, it can also be very empowering.

So, here’s to change! Here’s to the evolution of success! Here’s to enjoying the journey!

I’ve been doing a lot of research on transformation lately. Transformational Leadership, Culture Transformation… so I thought I was going to be clever and coin the phrase “Transformational Success”. Turns out others have already done that… but I am going to adopt the phrase. I look forward to where it will take me, and I look back with pride at how far I’ve come.

I urge you to look at your path. How have you defined success for yourself in the past? Is it still the right definition for you? If it is not, how can you transform the definition to better suit you? And, how can you alter your path? I believe you’ll find the evaluation enlightening, freeing, and exciting!

Note to my readers: I haven’t written in a while. I am contemplating changes to this blog as I contemplate changes in my own journey. I will always write to motivate others. That’s my passion. That being said, if there is anything that you would like to see more of, less of, or not at all, please feel free to let me know. I value your input and thank you for the support over the last few years.

Attitude

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” ~Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995 ~~

I’ve been passing this one up for about a year now, but it just seems so fitting today. Sometimes it’s really hard to have a positive attitude. Sometimes you want to be grumpy. Sometimes you want to be disagreeable. Sometimes you want to be angry or sad. OK… so be it. We all have those days. Our emotions can be very helpful, and are very ok to feel.

Growing up I listened to “Free to Be You and Me” a lot. Now I listen to it with my son. This morning one song came on as we were on our way to daycare…

***
ARTIST: Carol Hall
TITLE: It's All Right to Cry

It's all right to cry
Crying gets the sad out of you
It's all right to cry
It might make you feel better

Raindrops from your eyes
Washing all the mad out of you
Raindrops from your eyes
It's gonna make you feel better

It's all right to feel things
Though the feelings may be strange
Feelings are such real things
And they change and change and change

Sad 'n' grumpy, down in the dumpy
Snuggly, hugly, mean 'n' ugly
Sloppy, slappy, hoppy, happy
Change and change and change

It's all right to know
Feelings come and feelings go
It's all right to cry
It might make you feel better
***

So, feel your feelings. Embrace them. And, when you’re ready choose to be positive, and move on.

Preparation

"Think of yourself as a toy train. All toy trains de-rail now and then. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on track." ~~unknown

Though I’d prefer not to admit it, it’s impossible to be prepared for everything. Even when you have time to prepare and feel as if you’re ready, life can still throw you a curve-ball. You can be totally and completely prepared for one thing, and then something totally and completely different happens that you’re totally and completely NOT prepared for… YIKES! The important thing is how you deal with it; how you roll with it… Do you stay de-railed? Or do you get back on track?

“The most important day ever is TODAY.” ~ James Allen

Tuesday: Focus

“The essential question is not, "How busy are you?" but "What are you busy at?"“ ~Oprah Winfrey

What ARE you busy at? Are you focused on your goals, or did you get distracted while you weren’t looking? Good intentions are great… as long as you stick to your intentions… And, if you didn’t yesterday, don’t beat yourself up over it; try again today!

“We have a choice every day - to act on yesterday's good intentions or get an early start on tomorrow's regrets.” ~Robert Brault

And, don’t get distracted by not looking ahead towards your goal…

“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.” ~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Yes, one more quote for you today, “The most valuable lesson man has learned from his dog is to kick a few blades of grass over it and move on.” ~Robert Brault