Recruiting trips
Recruiting trips have offered ample opportunity for conversation with my guys.
This picture was taken last week on the University of Maryland campus.
Shockingly, it’s been said that I have dropped some truth and knowledge during our travels.
Some of them have begun reading my LinkedIn musings.
As they were leaving for their senior trip, I received a request to post something for them.
And my Roman is likely headed off to Florida in 6 weeks to finish his high school experience ☺️?
So this one is for my crew…Yes, my crew is a bunch of teenagers ??♂️
It ain’t Uzi, Meek, or Popp Hunna…but this Billy Joel lyric has become increasingly impactful…
Slow down you crazy child
You’re so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you’re so smart tell me
Why are you still so afraid…hmmm
I didn’t even know what I was scared of…I wouldn’t allow myself to acknowledge it…and I certainly couldn’t articulate it…
I was scared of…
Rejection
Failure
Disappointing those I care about
Disappointing myself
Not being “enough”
Being alone
Slowing down
Not keeping-up
Missing out
My fear arose from applying a broken definition of success.
Sadly, Merriam-Webster defines success as…
“the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame”
? ?
That definition is all f*%ked-up…
Why…
Because it is based upon external goals designed to distract you from confronting fear…just keep grinding, just keep working, just keep building your pile of “stuff” so others can see it…
True success comes when you quiet the mind enough to hear the voice of your soul…
See, your brain will tell you to pick a major, immediately…identify a career path…find a partner…plan your life…
You cannot ever lie to your soul…your soul is the holder of all that is true…
Your soul always has the answers…But, your brain will drown out the voice of the soul…
The soul speaks very softly, the soul isn’t pushy, the soul won’t argue…it simply whispers…quietly suggests…
But one thing is certain, you cannot trick your soul…
The brain wants you to run from fear…
The soul wants you to ease into fear and be nourished by it…
Listening to your soul is like learning a new language…it takes time, patience, immersion…
But once you master it…you’ve unlocked the door to true success…
So what is the definition of success…not sure it’s the same for any two people, but here are some thoughts…
A career and life path that chooses you because you cannot imagine doing anything else with your days…
The meaningful relationships in your life offering you as much or more than you give…
The ability to sit in stillness and savor it…
If it’s not a HELL YES…then it’s a no…
It ain’t Merriam-Webster’s take on success…but I’m one for the road less traveled…
And I’ll tell ya a secret…if you follow this definition of success, you’re more likely to accumulate wealth if that’s your thing…
Drop your thoughts on success in the comments.
