Last time we discussed the importance of defining what success means to you. Does it mean a large annual salary, for example, or the satisfaction of being able to use your talents on a path of service to others—or both? There are many ways one can define success, but only you can decide what success means in your own life.

In Part 2, we’ll talk about the bottom line—is your pursuit of success bringing you happiness, or is it increasing the negative stress in your life?

Most of us know that, in today’s world, time has speeded up—we no longer seem to have enough time to do everything we need to do! We rush from one event or appointment to the next, and we’re beeped on our pagers or called on our cell phones at the whim of everyone else. Yes, I even heard a woman in the bathroom stall next to mine talking animatedly on her cell phone to a business contact—there’s no more privacy to be had, not even in the rest room!

So where are we all rushing to, in this era of instant communication? Maybe we’ll get our fifteen minutes of fame if we drive just a tiny bit faster, if we strive for success just a little bit harder . . . I don’t think so!

Ego is the main reason for the intensity of activity in our society today. We want to stand out from the crowd, and this means that we need to prove that we’re “special” in some way. Being special requires that we gain some sort of recognition, whether in the form of money, fame, or power. That’s why we race down the road to success—to try to catch that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But when we get to the edge of the rainbow, the pot of gold moves just a little more out of reach—and somehow, no matter what we do, we can never catch up with it! That’s the effect of ego in our lives!

Now, what can you do to succeed in your career, yet remain calm and peaceful while the rest of the world rushes by on a mission to get there first?

Simple! Set aside about twenty minutes each morning for meditation. Sit quietly, relax your mind, and focus on breathing a little more deeply than usual. You’ll be amazed at the changes you’ll notice in a few weeks or months, if you’re consistent in keeping your meditation time each day. Some changes you may experience could include a sense of increased tranquility, a feeling of being more connected with other people, and greater intuitive abilities. For example, after I had been practicing meditation for several months, I began to have more trust in the universe’s greater plan for me. I knew that my life had a purpose, of which I was not always consciously aware! In addition, I realized that the more I listened to my inner voice of intuition, the more I would choose the right action to take at the most opportune moment!

You might be saying right now that you don’t have regular time to spend in peaceful contemplation. Somehow, we manage to find the time to do the things we really want to do—so if you truly desire to find more peace and calm in your life, you’ll take the time to meditate!

I started my morning practice of meditation six years ago, and it completely transformed my life. These days, I am much calmer, and a hundred times happier! If you haven’t tried meditation yet, you owe it to yourself to see what you’ve been missing.

So if you find yourself on that runaway train to success, slow down—and relax a while. Your career can only benefit from your increased inner peace and calm. I know mine has!

© Kathy Sanborn
Life Channels Staff Writer
All Rights Reserved
Life and Career Coaching
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