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Is Your Success Draining Your Happiness? (By Lisa Burbage)



I am a health coach, not a business coach, but in the process of working with people to help them achieve whole-person wellbeing, I've learned the importance of knowing clients' personal and professional goals - especially at times of transition in their lives. Looking at work-life balance, financial goals and personal growth is an important part in helping people succeed in improving their health.

Most of them want success more than anything else in their life. And will work very hard to get it. However, once they achieve the goal, sustaining it usually is even more challenging. Why is this?

Oftentimes, once someone succeeds or has great privileges, their focus shifts. Rather than continuing to work on the goal, one indulges in the benefits. This, unfortunately, hinders further growth and continued happiness.

Take exercise for instance with a client. She typically can achieve an exercise program five times a week for few months, but then life gets busy and she quits. She can no longer find the time. That certainly is not the way to go about losing weight. And she is discouraged that brisk walking for 30 minutes burns only 100 calories. She decides the effort is not worth the gain on a long-term basis even though it initially increased her energy and helped make her feel better about herself. Or she may decide that the pressure she puts on herself to maintain success is too stressful. The effort seems to be more like punishment than enjoyment.

Lasting success comes from consistency. When you are consistently aware of your "why," you will continue to be motivated to maintain then further your success. You will say "no" to all temptations and distractions no matter how enticing they may be. Your "life vision" becomes far more important than a short-lived gratification. It's like eating ice cream even though you know it's not good for you. Yet you eat it anyway because you think it will ease your stress or help you get over a tiring day at work. It's a sad irony.

Success versus Achievement

There is a subtle difference between success and achievement. Success is a feeling you have about how you are doing at something and why you are doing it. Achievement is a positive, objective measure about what you have accomplished.

Success is more important than achievement. You can win an award and yet still not "feel" successful. I was a top producer as a real estate agent. I received all the trimmings for my success. But inwardly I did not feel successful. I lost the "why" regarding my life vision. Now I'm fulfilled in my work. And you can be too!

Another example: Your doctor says you must lose 15-25 pounds for your health. (Note: Obesity is the second largest contributor behind tobacco use to developing chronic diseases so prevalent today, including diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's and autoimmune deficiency). Your health-care provider might say it's important to lose weight, but it really doesn't sink in if you don't understand why. So find your "why," and allow it to help you work towards success. Once there, remember what it took to reach the goal and never back away.



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