Chasing Success

Ever watch a dog running in circles chasing his tail? Now I grant that most dogs do not have corporate level responsibilities, so it probably isn’t important how productively they spend their time.

An old story depicted an alley cat watching a dog racing madly in a circle chasing his tail. Finally the cat, you know the curiosity of cats, could no longer stand watching the dizzy dog. Alley cat, “Why are you running in circles chasing your tail?” Dizzy dog,”One of my friends explained to me that my happiness and success are all in my tail. If I can catch it and hold on, then I will have a firm hold on my success and happiness for the future.” “Hmmm,” stated the alley cat. “What I have discovered is that my happiness is indeed in my tail also. If I go about my business taking care of myself and my responsibilities, my tail follows me. When I am responsible I do not have to chase success and happiness, they always follow me.”

How many people follow the dog’s mindset and chase after success? Amazing how unproductive it becomes to chase after something. I fully agree that following your passion and working diligently toward your goals generally results in achieving more goals. Chasing after something has an air of desperation and need. Taking responsibility and methodically working each step on the path to success, encourages success to be attracted to you.

Attraction marketing and attraction leadership are widely acclaimed in the media. Using the attractor factor instead of the chasing mentality removes the desperation and stress. Any one who would enjoy a little less stress in their life? The medical industry receives a major portion of its income treating stress related issues. It is my opinion that the majority of the obesity problems have their origin in stress. We are creating our own stress. Why are we doing this to ourselves?

Our hurry scurry life of “I want it right now” has created an anxiety society. We have instant food from the microwave and fast food restaurants. We have ATM machines so we no longer have to wait in bank lines. We can even drive through Starbucks for our caffeine.

Success eludes us sometimes because we chase it with a desperate pursuit rather than creating value so that success becomes attracted to us. Success and happiness are attracted to the peaceful heart.

Think about the people you know and with whom you enjoy spending your time. Are you attracted to the tense and over stressed individuals or the people with whom you speak on a variety of subjects? Are you attracted to those with whom you enjoy activities and have fun? Think about the most successful people in you life. They are focused on their careers during working hours and totally present with their loved ones at other times.

Chasing success with the fury and intensity of a dog chasing his tail, results in circles more than forward progress. The alley cat wisdom of taking care of responsibility and allowing success and happiness to follow you results in a more productive life.

Re-examining your approach to life and success may result in more productivity, more success and more happiness. Having less stress becomes a bonus.

For more thought provoking articles, visit me at www.Elaine4Success.com.

Enjoy---In Joy

Truly enjoying your life and your career brings a sense of peace, fulfillment and productivity. Tap in to your feelings and energy level as you conduct your daily activities. Emotions relate closely to your energy level.

Watch closely which activities you are performing when you feel so excited and vibrant that time rushes by without your awareness. Which activities are you engaged in when you become so engrossed that your energy level soars and your productivity escalates? These actions and activities reveal your special talents and interests; these specific activities relate to your genius. Now don’t get all flustered and think that “genius” means on a level with Einstein.

Every person has a special talent, a special gift. Each one of you has some special ability that you do better than anyone else. Yes, you! When you tap in to what you enjoy, you discover the emotion of being “in joy.” Everyone exhibits more productivity and more energy when they are working in their “genius.”

Step back and think for a moment. Are there some things you do which bring you so much pleasure that you feel as if you could keep doing that one specific activity for hours? Are there other acts which seem to drain the very life from you? Paying close attention to your energy level, productivity level, and emotions reveal your gifts.

How many of you right now feel that you are using your most productive talents and abilities in your work or career? I separated work and career because work frequently means a necessary act in order to put food on your table and pay the rent. Career on the other hand means an endeavor where you not only earn a living but feel fulfilled and productive. Going to a “job” means work to the large majority of people throughout the world. Having a career which lights a fire in your soul and makes you feel the emotion and excitement of a child on Christmas morning is the goal of the top ten percent. Only the top one percent actually experiences that feeling on a daily basis. Top three percent leaders and entrepreneurs truly live that experience on a very regular basis.

I feel very blessed to love my life and my career. No, it was not always that enjoyable. I have experienced several different employment situations and even a few different entrepreneurial endeavors which did not generate enjoyment. Being able to truly love what you do for a living and know that it not only brings value to others but also makes your spirit come alive, is truly a treat to your soul. Add the element of making an excellent living in the process and you have a winning combination.

Closely examine your life. Does your current income producing activity delight you or simply pay the bills. Ouch – even worse if it does not even pay the bills. There is an answer for you. Hope truly exists.

When the uneasiness of stepping out of your comfort zone, the “known zone” even though it is far from comfortable, looms less scary than the dream burning in your soul then you will take action.

Search your heart. Search your emotions. Search your energy. Revive your dreams.

Decide! Is where you are right now where you choose to stay for the remainder of your life? When the urge to fulfill your dream and your destiny becomes more powerful than your “known zone” you will achieve the thrill of emotional fulfillment, productivity and the realization of being able to enjoy life. You will be” in joy.”

Enjoy and be “in joy.” It takes a decision and action.

Come join me at Elaine4Success.com and together we will search and discover your joy.