TGIF my friends! I’m back from Denver and have an off-Friday today. I know I’ve got some work to do this weekend, but I will revel in this one day off to run my errands and catch up on all my DVRed shows.
Recently I came across this poster (click to enlarge):
…and it really got me thinking.
I tried to think if this is the way I’ve lived my life and I was able to categorically say “no.” Sad eh?
Ever since I was very young, I set high goals for myself. I looked to the future milestones that would be the marker of my success and progress.
In highschool, I wanted certain grades…and I achieved them. I did not spend too much time enjoying the A’s on tests or papers however.
In college, I want to graduate Summa Cum Laude. When the day of graduation came, I remember feeling I’d only be upset if I didn’t get it, not that I’d be happy if I succeeded.
Towards the end of college, I decided I wanted to go to a top-notch grad school. I was grateful to be accepted with full funding to Stanford. But rather than celebrate and revel in my experience, I look back and think it was just a blur. Did I really take advantage of all I could?
So, I’ve treated success as an end goal — not a journey, not a road that I’m traveling along.
Ok, so what am I going to do about it?
My measurement standards need to change. I need and want to find the successes of every day and be proud of them…in the moment.
I’m still at the beginning of my career and I can shape it in such a way that it’s not focused on the title I’d like to achieve some day, but the moments that make me happy, like yesterday.
And I can do this in my personal life too. Instead of celebrating a goal in weight loss, I can appreciate what’s happening along the way. Or instead of feeling like happiness will come when I have my dream home, I can make my home dreamy right now 
So yup, that’s my positive attitude going into this Friday.
Tell me your thoughts on this? Success: is it a journey or a destination for you?
Stay tuned for some fun news on Monday!
