In a new video, illustrator Lara Lee breathes life into the words of Swiss philosopher Alain de Botton on the merits and pitfalls of defining success. After all, he suggests, the word does and should mean something different to everyone. If we all had the same measure for success, few of us would ever succeed.
When it comes to success, says de Botton, "we think we know just what it means — money, status, fame, and power." But by the word's very definition, more nuance need be applied to its meaning.
"Success is in truth is rather more neutral, and less value laden than we tend to assume," says de Botton. "It just means doing anything well, excelling at something. And that might encompass a lot of different activities." Indeed, Merriam-Webster offers the definition for success as a "favorable or desired outcome."
So how might one go about defining individual success the "right" way? The easiest way that de Botton suggests doing so is by ridding ourselves of constructions of our own making that inhibit us from reaching our full potential — things like envy and selfishness — but also to recalibrate our personal goals.
Read below for four of de Botton's suggestions for defining measures of success, and watch his full presentation at NPR.
And please SHARE e Botton's inspiring words with your friends who are looking to find success in their lives!
Success from Lara Lee on Vimeo.
1. Do away with envy
In his TEDTalk, de Botton addresses envy as hindrance in the way of defining personal successes, as you're measuring yours against the perceived successes of others.
Rather than ruminate on what you don't have, admit your envy and refocus that energy on what you'd like to achieve.
2. Do not be afraid to fail
"One of the reasons we fear failing is not just a loss of income, a loss of status," says de Botton. "What we fear is the judgement and ridicule of others."
There's no living individual who hasn't failed at something — it's part of the human condition. Accept your failures as a part of your journey to success, however you define it.
3. Redefine what success means to you
In his video below, de Botton suggests redefining success by our small daily accomplishments like paying careful attention to a child, filling your mind, or offering help to a stranger or friend in need.
"No one can be successful at everything," he aptly states. Focus on some of the smaller ways that you can be an asset, and celebrate those small success stories.
4. Find your own path to success
"It's great to be successful," says de Botton. "It's even better to make sure that you've followed your own distinctive and not necessarily always obvious path to the success that can truly fulfill you."
Watch de Bottom's illustrated writing below, and SHARE his words for success with your friends on Facebook!
