What does success mean should change as I mature as an individual and as a leader. If not, I risk remaining self-focused and materialistic.
This blog post republishes my weekday LinkedIn posts that appeared June 28 through July 2, 2021. Theme for these post include being precept-driven and discerning as I move toward a workable definition of life success.
I find what I’m looking for!
Where I’m looking tells what I’m looking for.
Unfortunately, when I look in the wrong place, what I find isn’t helpful. So, how did I get here?
I got here by being simple minded. Naïve. Lacking discretion. No foresight. Thus, I got here on purpose! Ugh!
Proverbs 7.5-7 offers two ways to make bad choices! First be shallow, inexperienced. Second, lack character.
Don’t miss the obvious!
Remember the saying “hidden in plain sight”? It works really well in relationships.
When I miss the obvious in a conversation (say, with my wife!) the results generally aren’t good. The explanation, after a cooling-off period, includes the phrase “didn’t you see how…”
Well, as a matter of fact, no I didn’t see it!
Why not? Because I missed the obvious!
But, Why? Because… Why do you sometimes miss the obvious?
Proverbs 8.1-4 is a picture of wisdom yelling at me to get it. To not miss the obvious in regard to a peaceful and fruitful life. So, don’t miss the obvious!
Wandering and wondering!
Ever feel clueless? I have. I’ve said something to my boss or a prospective donor, and got back a blank stare that says “you’re clueless.”
Ok, now what? Without some input, I’m left wandering and wondering! So, help me make sense of things. Please!
I improve at sense making by choosing to be precept-driven. That is, by identifying the fundamental principles involved. Then, working from there toward insight.
In short, I can choose to become more discerning. Wandering and wondering isn’t incurable.
Proverbs 9.6 observes that I can choose to give up my simple-minded cluelessness. It’s a deliberate choice I make! I purposefully choose to swap simple-mindedness for sense making by building a precept-driven character.
What does success look like to you?
You’ve seen LinkedIn polls with answers like “make more money” or “have more friends.”
For me, “look like” envisions an outcome. As such, I pictured success differently at various stages of my life. For example, early-career success was measured in closed sales.
Now, success is about giving away what I’m learning from daily study, as matched with past experiences.
In short, “look like” is visualization. And, what we envision can change as we mature. Thus, I’m linking visualization of success with life values.
So, what does success look like to you right now?
A common interview question that touches on career visualization is: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” For me, during a mid-life transition, “where I saw myself” was about completing a Ph.D., then receiving tenure and promotion to full professor.
Proverbs 2.20-21 defines a life of integrity as one that’s marked by stability, plus clarity about life purpose.
What does success mean to you?
This question is a follow-up to “What does success look like” where “look like” involves visualization of an outcome.
“What does success mean” shifts the perspective from seeing to feeling. From envisioning to sensing.
The meaning of success includes family, faith, and friends. Personally, in my drive for monetary success, I didn’t always grasp this deeper meaning.
Evidence of this gap includes stress in these most critical relationships.
Has your vision of success caused you to overlook the deeper meaning of a successful life?
Psalm 34.12-16 asks “Who doesn’t want a good life?” The answer given there is to be honest, just, and make peace. Why do this? Because the Lord Himself is watching! These verses are repeated in 1 Peter 3.10-12.
How’s it working out for you always having to be right?
Contact Me
If you’re active on LinkedIn, please follow my posts there. Find me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-young-proverbs-for-professionals/
