Does Success and Life Satisfaction Belong Only to the Privileged Few?

Those of us endowed with fair skin and able bodies; are financially sound and have an army of relatives and friends to have our back—
Turns out, none of these can exclusively guarantee the joys and the truly valuable perks that Life can offer! Contentment; true love; friendships that last a lifetime; a Life of purpose; and success on one’s own terms!

In this article, I hope to share insights that I have found can help those of us struggling with self-doubt, fear, and anxiety, while we strive to show up in our roles, with all the courage that we often barely can muster!

Those of us who also relentlessly battle with challenges, some of which are ghosts of the past and some, a part of the reality we wake up to every day, while we strive to keep ourselves on track and work towards goals.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Our experiences bring us clarity on what really matters to us. Mirroring to us who we are, what we need, and what can truly fulfill us. This includes relationships, professional endeavors, learning pursuits, even culinary expeditions! What often tends to be difficult is dealing with unexpected outcomes, when things don’t go according to plan. What makes it worse is judgments passed on by others as we stumble and fall!

Ask yourself the following questions when you feel bogged down by experiences that seem like ‘failures’:

• If Life is happening ‘for me’ and not ‘to me,’ what learnings have become apparent over time?

• Who/What can help me to get back to a place of faith and calm so I can grow from things that even look like failures?

• Perhaps I have evolved over time; priorities and preferences have shifted! Can I take a restock of goals and things that matter?

Luck: Preparation Meeting Opportunity

Talent deserves its place but what can guarantee success is valuing hard work, commitment to the pursuit of excellence in one’s field of choice, and the willingness to be a work-in-progress.

Self-worth often goes for a toss when at times others forging ahead in life makes it seem like you may not make it to the finish line!

I hope you can set aside a few moments to reflect on the following:

• Are there skills I can add to my skillset that can help me serve better in my chosen role(s)?

• Are there resources I can access in my vicinity or online that can help the learner in me?

• Are there opportunities I am hesitating to approach or consider, for fear of rejection or failure?

• What is that one step I can take towards my goals this week?

Courage is Not the Absence of Fear

Fear and anxiety are integral to our human experience. They serve useful functions. So, the good news is, the goal need not be an anxiety-free existence or to be fearless as it is sometimes glorified. Courage, hence, is not the absence of fear or self-doubt. It is your desire to commit to what interests you, your desire to persist, despite fear and self-doubt.

I hope the following questions can help you reconnect with that place of resolve within you!

• What would you do if you were not afraid?

• What steps would you take if you knew everything would work out fine as you continue to walk the path of learning and growth?

Let Not Perfect Stand in the Way of Good Enough

You are unique in terms of who You are and what you can offer to the world. Hence, comparison trips are truly a futile exercise. The answer to the eternal dilemma of ‘am I good enough and deserving of success’ is this – You Are Enough. You Are Valuable. And You Matter.

All of us have a role to play in the big scheme of things. And what you offer can truly make a difference! The moment you recognize this, it frees you to pay attention to where your true strengths lie. What you are leaning towards in terms of aptitudes and aspirations. You can now validate what makes you authentically You!

Here are a few questions to ponder:

• Where would you like to see yourself, say, a year from now?

• What is your legacy going to be?

• What do you think is your most valuable contribution to the world?

Closing Thoughts

Your ‘imperfections’ make you uniquely beautiful.
They make you who you are.
And pave the way for what role you choose to play in the scheme of things!

What inspires you from within you, even if a tiny spark or an inkling—
That persists despite fear and never allows you to settle!

Perhaps it’s time to start paying attention & take a step,
Even when fear and self-doubt are playing their roles to perfection!

Remember, you are not alone.
You got this.
Cheers, mate!

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