[NoraSpinnor]

At first glance, it seems like striving for success and maintaining indifference regarding results are two conflicting principles. Doesn’t the principle of success hinge on results? The difference lies in how we define success: is it measured by other people’s approval (notoriety, awards, “likes and follows”), or is it measured as fulfillment and continuously expanding our skills?

We can look at a person who calls themselves a master in two ways: we can admire their skill and try to emulate them, or we can dismiss them as foolish enough to claim mastery. The truth is simple. Once we claim to be the best, we stop trying to improve. That is not success. That is stagnation. There is nothing wrong with being praised for what you do. The trouble starts when praise becomes a cage. Work for the joy of creation, not for the joy of having your creation praised.

People forget this faster than ever in a world that measures success by subscribers and shares. Passion projects often get bent to please an algorithm. Do not play the numbers game. Keep the joy of creation and knowledge primary. Let the results arrive on their own time.

At the end of the day, a project executed to the best of your vision is a much better gift to the world than a project executed to the best of what you think people will like.
Have you struggled with detaching from results? What does it mean to shift success from external to internal definitions?

[Esther]

Wow.. I feel like I logged on today to see this exact message. Lately been super caught up in making those marks, both in work and in my daily stuff. After awhile I’m like, am I really enjoying this? Hobbies shouldnt be stressful and I argue that work shouldn’t be either, at least not most of the time gotta be there 40 hours a week, that’s unhealthy if ur battling fight or flight mode too.

[Healing_Lotus]

When I was young we didnt have subscribers but we had other measures of success it was different though. This instant gratification stuff with notifications seems great but it puts focus in the wrong places who cares if 10,000 people like a post I’d rather make a real difference to one person.

[Author]

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