Personal Success: 3 Easy Tips to Live Better

Do you ever wonder why some people get ahead and succeed, while others get stuck?

That’s a good question to ask yourself. To find the answer to that question, it helps to look at the difference between those people.

When you observe successful individuals, what do you see?

Most of them are working, right? 

Not that this is a difference in any way. But the difference lies in the subtle fact that they no longer have to work. They’ve already got much of the success.

Yet, they keep working. Sometimes even harder than most other people.

What do you think the average Joe says when he is asked if he would keep working after achieving success? 

Most of them will tell you that they will retire, right?

In this lies a surprising element to success. And this element is finding joy in what you do.

In other words, clarity and self-awareness are key for success.

What Does Personal Success Mean to You?

The first and most important question you have to ask yourself is this: what does success mean to you?

You see, most people go after other people’s success.

They see someone on a yacht and want that. Then they see someone partying all day and they want that. What about a big house, a private swimming pool, and a big car?

All amazing stuff too, right?

But does that make you happy?

Imagine achieving it all. Everything you ever wished for. Yet, you still feel unhappy. Would you then consider yourself successful?

Probably not, right?

So many people never define what personal success means to them. They go after the stuff they see on social media or in the news. And it’s the biggest mistake one can make.

Here’s why:

If you don’t enjoy the stuff you’re doing, you set yourself up for failure and misery.

No amount of success can make you happy if you dislike the stuff you do every day. 

So stop looking to external factors to validate your success. Instead, start with yourself.

Tip 1: Know Thyself

The most famous philosophers and writers have all talked about the power of knowing yourself. Here is a couple of them to give you some context:

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” - Aristotle  

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” - Ralph Ellison

In other words, when you know you, you’ve got the foundation for a happy life.

And if you then also live in alignment with your personality, values, and superpowers, you set yourself up for fulfillment and satisfaction.

Because when you do the things you like and are good at, you feel great and it’s much easier to stay motivated. At work for example. 

Want to know another way to stay on track?

Tip 2: Create Consistent Clarity

What happens after you set new year’s goals? You feel super motivated, right? Ready to kick some ass in the next year and achieve some goals.

Unfortunately, this rush of motivation doesn't last long for most people. We have all been there or at least know someone who has been there.

So how can you avoid this trap?

By generating clarity. 

Clarity is an important factor for motivation. When you know what you plan and why you do what you do, it’s easier to take action.

One way to do this often is by setting small goals. What is something that you can achieve this week that will move you further? 

Then at the end of the week, review your progress. What went well? What could be better? And also clarify your goals for the next week. 

Tip 3: Enjoy the Process

You will achieve personal success only when you enjoy the process. After all, you can spend 10 years of your life making millions but if you felt miserable in those 10 years, what’s the price you paid?

You can never get back your time.

And money isn’t the ultimate goal. The skills you gain in the process and the joy you have while doing it is much more important.

If you do what you love to do, you also increase your odds that you will achieve success. Because when you like what you do, it’s much easier to stay consistent with that thing.

Enjoying the process is key to happiness.