Pursue Becoming Valuable and Then Success Will Find You

“Take charge of your life! The tides do not command the ship. The sailor does.” ― Ogwo David Emenike

At the beginning of each school year, I always ask my students to write down their definition of success and then share their definition with the class. Some say success for them is to be happy. Others say they don’t want to live paycheck to paycheck. While some have said success would be to work at a job they love and have a happy family life.

I’ve worked with students for 36 years. After asking students to ponder their definition of success, I’ve never had one student in 36 years say, “I hope my life is just plain ole’ average and I pretty much just don’t want to be successful.” On the contrary. I always hear responses of great hopes and dreams. So, how can we experience our own version or definition of success? I personally believe that if we pursue becoming valuable then success will find us.

First things first, all human beings are valuable but what part of valuable is the tipping point to success? Often, the kind of work we choose or get involved in during our adult years can lead to many kinds of successes. For example, I’ve been working with students for 36 years. My Monday through Friday job has allowed me to love my job and as a result, many other joyful parts of life have come with this journey.

I will say to my students when Friday arrives, “TGIF! Happy Friday everyone!” However, they will hear me say on Monday, “TGIM! Happy Monday class!” Now, of course I get a few funny looks from students as well as some staff when I say TGIM. But let me tell you, if you love what you do Monday through Friday, it’s not dreadful work. It’s a blast! It’s your joy! Of course, I really enjoy weekends, but I’ve noticed something. My job allows me to keep a roof over my head, put food on the table and go on some fun vacations.

So, let’s go back to that definition of success. When I was a teenager, I knew that when I hit my adult years my definition of success was to have enough money to live and not be stressed out by shortcomings. I wanted to be able to go on fun vacations. I wanted to do some sort of job where I could encourage and be like a coach in the lives of others and not dread getting up in the morning and doing the Monday through Friday work thing. Well, that’s exactly what happened in my life! How did this happen? It for darn sure was not luck and there was no genie in a bottle that offered me three sacred wishes.

As I look back into my past and as I have observed many others, I’ve noticed something. If we become valuable, success will find us. When I say valuable, I’m talking about those traits which a supervisor at a job deems important, useful and ultimately, they want you to come work for them. If it’s the kind of work you would really enjoy doing Monday through Friday, then as I said previously, it’s not really the dreaded “work.” So, what does it mean to become valuable and how does one become valuable? I want you to do something. Take just a few minutes and think about what your definition of success is. After you have it in your mind, write it down. Lastly, what do you think it means to become valuable. I will pick up the meaning of valuable (how I’m using this term) and how one can become more valuable to be in a place where success will find them in the blog called Valuable, Here I Come!

A Few Minutes to Create an Amazing Future

1. Take just a few minutes to stop, look and listen. What is your definition of success for YOUR life? Write your definition down.

2. Head on over to my blog called “Valuable, Here I Come!”