The Dark Ink

Never be defined by material growth or material success,
Any man with a business mindset can earn himself a luxury lifestyle,
Be defined by growth as a person, as a spirit, as a soul who is known of his purpose on earth;

Success;

Success is distinctive and changes with every person and their desires. From the day we are born to the day we die we run; Run this invisible race called life. Envisioning a milestone, finding ways to reach it. We want to be first and the best in everything we do, there’s nothing wrong about it though but have we ever questioned WHY? Why do we want to be first? Why do we want to be the best? Why would we want to reach that milestone? What would it prove? More importantly, to whom would it prove?
Why are we measured by the weight of our success?

Setting goals, planning, and strategizing ways to reach them is the most rational thing a person does, there is no question as to why, but HOW to achieve it. Growing up we are always taught to be the best, to be an expert, if not more, in whatever field we choose to go, along with studies of course, be it music dance, sketching, or any other form of art. We were encouraged to be “ourselves” but within their boundaries. We were accepted for our success, cherished and celebrated even, but are not tolerated because we failed several times before we could taste the success.

Well, this is the dark side of a ‘Success Story’. Why show us the dark side first when the title says otherwise? You ask. Often, when we hear a success story we imagine, rather presume, it has been a smooth ride for him, ‘He’s lucky, got supportive wealthy parents, or he has some influence’. While the truth is the exact opposite of our imagination. (That is why it is imagination if you get what I mean) He got lucky yes, because he worked day in and out to reach where he wanted to, kept his dream alive, and re-lived his dream in his head in a thousand different ways.
He got lucky because he invested his life into it, and poured his soul into it.

Standing on the other side we presume it might always be sunshine and rainbows for him, only if we peek into someone’s life, we might see the storms and thunderous nights they had to go through to see the light.
We are so quick to judge people around us, that we forget to interpret the emotions behind a masked smile.

What is Success??

Success is always associated with hard work, consistency, discipline, and a lot of motivation. All of which is true! Do not be deranged kids and expect me to give you a shortcut to success; There ain’t one! It is always a long, harrowing, and never-ending road, that one should take at least once in their life. To taste something as sweet as success, one has to learn how to embrace one’s struggles while enjoying the journey, with zero complaints.
If you ask me, Success is an emotion, a chill down the spine, the rush of adrenaline, a speedy flashback of all those endless nights, mental breakdowns, and negative voices in the head that said “You can’t do this”; This very moment of success proves every bit of discomfort and labor is WORTH it! If one can feel this, they are successful period!

10 Effective ways to be successful in life –

Now, before we get into the actual part, let’s clear one thing,
Success is not measured. It cannot be quantified or compared. It is not materialistic although some presume it is, it is not at all a “qualification” in any manner.
Success is a pure emotion. It is unique to everyone and can be as small as achieving a day’s tasks or as big as reaching a financial goal.
One’s success will always seem small rather silly to another, so when you share your success make sure you do it with the real ones. Not everyone has pure and beautiful intentions towards you. This is surely out of my personal experience.

For anyone who wishes to be successful, no matter the age or the position they hold, in whatever phase of life they are in, they can reach their goal by following these 10 effective ways –

Self-Confidence: What do you see when you imagine yourself? Are you defined by your position? or your success? or a big “?” The outer forces of motivation or pep talk only work on those who are self-confident, and who think they can excel in any situation they are put in. That comes with working on yourself. Self-confidence ain’t granted but earned.

Gratitude and Appreciation: There is no successful man in this world who isn’t grateful for the life he is leading. A man who is rooted to the ground, untainted by pride or ego, carries his success multiplying it as he goes, till he hits his grave. Gratitude brings clarity and vision to further expand what he already has.
Be grateful for everything you have. If you realize you have nothing, you are still alive and breathing, that’s reason enough to be grateful.

Prioritize your health: Being a ‘provider’ ( be it a man or lady) comes with a great deal of sacrifice. We run so far with it, that it takes a pent-up frustration and a lot of cussing to realize that we have put ourselves LAST on the list of people receiving care. Pouring every last drop of care into others’ souls, leaving ours empty and void.
Forgetting that it takes a full cup to be poured into others’ glasses.

Open arms for failures: Welcome failures with the same open arms as success, it takes several failures to reach success. Acceptance is not ultimate. Accepting failure does not mean there is no scope for success, instead it drives out clear paths to success. Failures are as important as success, provided one uses it for its’ true purpose. (Figure out the purpose yourself, this ain’t no buffet, we don’t serve answers on silver platter, do the dirty work yourself!).

Mental state – Healthy: Who are you? What is your purpose? What is your dream? What is it you strive for? When you know the answers to these questions, you are sorted! You would know where to put all your energy and work. Our mind has a mind of its own. It doesn’t need to be restricted or controlled but needs to be understood. Think of it as an individual, have conversations with it. Understand it. Own it.

Consistent Lifestyle: Motivation and discipline have a lot of common grounds what differs is that one is temporary and one is a lifestyle. Motivation only takes us for so long, a rush of adrenaline, if you may, that makes you take action, that one step. Discipline on the other hand builds a complete lifestyle. This one is harder the first few times but the best way to flip is to be disciplined and consistent.

Power of choice: For someone to understand the power of choice, he needs to understand that ‘he’ himself holds the power, to make or break his life. Know that you are responsible for the choices you make, and no one else to blame but yourself if things go south. For better or worse, hold yourself accountable for the choices you make. For things that you do and don’t.

> 100%: Giving your 100% is never enough, whatever it is you do, give it ‘all’ you have got. Your heart and soul, everything into it. Remember if you can’t put everything into it, you are not investing in the right path. What doesn’t drive you crazy and ignites your passion, isn’t your path to put everything into. If you lose, if things don’t turn your way, no regrets, the universe has something better up its sleeve to present to you.

Celebrate yourself: Life is meant to be ‘lived’ not to be struggled through. Find peace and joy in everything you are being offered. No matter how small of an achievement it is, celebrate it with yourself. Be proud that you made it through and you are a step closer to your goal.
Love and celebrate your existence for a matter of fact!

It is not easy to be alive, to make it through a day, to love everyone else above you, to put yourself above all. To wish and choose happiness for the ones who harm us, to be pure-hearted in this wicked world. It is not easy to be YOU.
Celebrate yourself for being this strong-willed person, who not only stood up for themselves but for the people around them.
You deserve all the happiness in the world!

Success or not, what matters most is, whether you can keep your inner peace?
If you think no, work on it first. If you can, then the world is in the palms of your hands!
You hold the world. You control it. You own it. Success is yours.

This is not a ‘tips and shortcuts to success’ blog. It is a rather long and not-so-common type of blog where we talk about the tiniest elements that drive a person to success.
Long blog! If you have made it this far, I thank you for reading my creative effort. I tried to put words to my understanding of what it takes to be successful.
Hope this was a delightful read. And that you found a piece to carry it with you for life.

Until next time, with another blog!
Stay True! Stay Safe! Stay Positive!