The Truth About Achievement
The words “fake it ‘til you make it” slipped out of my mouth a couple of weeks ago. Cringe. That’s not me speaking, I thought as I reflected back. Without going into the “fake it” part (which I wrote about in my email newsletter), what does “making it” even mean?
We tell ourselves that everything will be settled and easy once we finally win that client, go-live with the project, get the promotion, or complete the half marathon.
Then, once we finally “make it,” we barely get a moment to breathe before we’re hit with what feels like a crashing wave of something else - that next step up; the next-level situation to practice the very thing we feel like we just checked off the list.
It’s like the universe says, “Oh, you’re comfortable presenting with the VP in the room? Now’s your time to voice an unpopular opinion to them.”
It can start to feel like we’re on a hamster wheel, running sprint after sprint without ever really gaining a sense of fulfillment.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe every one of the achievements above is worth celebrating!
I also don’t believe those outward achievements are what success is really about.
Those milestones are like big neon signs that may highlight our progress and growth, but there is so much more.
When we only look at the milestones (like getting the prestigious job or surviving the busy season), we lose sight of what I believe are the true successes:
All of the moments we chose to show up for practice;
The mindset and attitude we brought to every step along the way;
The way we built up the people around us;
How we fostered an environment (with others or even just for our own self) of trust and collaboration where it’s safe to mess up and learn; and
(perhaps most importantly…)
The degree to which we expressed or unveiled our whole and best self.
Each of these requires that we are here and now, present and grounded in a purpose, aware, and making conscientious decisions about what’s right in front of us.
Magically, the achievement tends to follow.