I listened to Jay Shetty interview Lewis Holmes on his podcast yesterday two things resonated with me:
- What is success?
- The role of discipline in success
Holmes spoke to my core values – it’s hard (at least for me) to find someone that understands why I’m serious about my routines and habits…because who am I really impacting by journaling and roller-skating everyday? If I hold my personal achievements against world record holders, olympians, and astrophysicists, my achievements look insignificant, silly even. My philanthropic efforts barely make a dent in the lives of others and I can’t say I’ve created anything that has garnered any attention worth mentioning. I had a conversation with my brother not too long ago about the definition of success and how we’re shaped by what we plant into our heads. If your success is defined by wealth, lack of wealth will mean you’re unsuccessful (but also how much is enough wealth, or does the carrot stick keep you peddling toward dissatisfaction forever). If success is define by attention/fame, you will be a people pleaser and depend on others for your happiness. I’m trying to get away from chasing things; I’ve realized that most of the things that make us unhappy in the first place are external and material. My definition of success is to be able to cultivate peace within myself, to continue to learn/know myself, and to care for my closest relationships. Success for me requires patience and self-awareness and to accept that losses and failures are normal – they are all part of the journey. Success is a mindset, not a destination – it’s in constant adjustment mode. Discipline in this journey is crucial not only in daily habits but in emotional management and long-term planning. I’ve read about many “successful” entrepreneurs and they are so committed to their mission/vision that nothing/nobody can steer them off course. This is something I am still striving for – to be clear about my values, to set boundaries, and to continuously create the life that I want to live in the present. I thank my mom for teaching me the value of discipline by enrolling me in extracurriculars at a young age. It taught me that life is hard and easy at the same time, often the former precedes the latter and your future self will thank you for sticking through.