I was recently in a twitter conversation with a prominent marketing and social media character (resisting use of “guru” or “expert” here) that we all admire very much, and who has recently achieved something really special of which anyone would be enormously proud. Yet, he confided that he is in fact not enjoying his success. Because he’s already looking for “the next big thing”. This has been on my mind a lot, because if he, of all people, can’t pause and go “Damn. I did good.” then who among us can? When is it enough? How high is up?
Most of us here, myself included, can absolutely relate to that type of drive and ambition. There’s some sort of rush that comes from accomplishment that is hard to match. It’s like the crash that happens after a big, exciting new business pitch. “Now what?” “What’s next?” “I need to perform at that level again.”
But. Here’s the thing, people. Life happens in moments.
Your life, like it or not, is happening NOW. And NOW. And NOW.
Tomorrow may come, and it may not. Sorry to be a downer, but face it, it’s true.
So, I ask you to ask yourself, if you are not enjoying it NOW, what’s the point? If not now, when?
Today – stop for a minute. Just a minute. Or five. Or ten. And really, REALLY take in all that you have done. Meditate on it, even if you’re not a “meditation kind of person”. Absorb it like a sponge. Let it flow through you. And just for a moment – let yourself be ENOUGH.
I hope you don’t mind me going all Zen on you today. I write what I feel. Now get back to work and go like hell 
Photo credit: Brett Rogers http://www.beatcanvas.com
Seems like everyone is so busy in these trying economic times. Whether that “next big thing” is an event, a project or just making the next payroll, it’s so important to take the time to disengage and take a breath (hopefully filled with the smell of roses). My wife/business partner and I have always made a Friday Night “Date night” an unbreakable rule to celebrate the accomplishments of the week, and begin a weekend of trying not to even think about work until Monday morning. We’re not always successful, but when we are, we realize the importance of the break.
With the long holiday weekend that starts tonight, we’re looking forward to 3 days of “zen.” Thanks so much for the timely reminder.
I have a friend who, through her academic research, has developed a model for communication styles. She says communication styles are determined by your placement on two axes: present v. future focus, and people v. task focus.
Those of us on one end of the continua are incomprehensible to those on the other–which, she suggests, is at the root of all interpersonal communication misfires.
For those of us who are wired to keep our eyes on what’s next (and probably unfortunately, I speak from experience here), it can be enormously difficult to stop and just *be.* For us, the fun is in the chase–sitting still feels like no progress.
Might not sound like much of a life to those who relish the present, but it has its charms.
Tom,
Sounds like you guys have it nailed. I love the Friday night date night – the “ritual” of it is key – gotta get me some of that.
Enjoy your three days of zen!
Tamsen,
OK is there anything you DON’T have academic research or other wisdom on? LOL. You’re something else. This is really great perspective and I thank you for sharing it with us.
If a future-focused person is completely content that way, then that’s outstanding. But, it seems more likely to me that more often then not there remains a vague sense of unease or discontent. That “I’m just not enjoying my success” feeling.
I totally get the thrill of the chase. I’m probably also more toward that end of the continuum. But it’s important to remember that it is in fact a continuum, with room for even hardest chasers among us to pause, take a breath, reflect on what just happened, FEEL it, and then move on to the next chase. After all, we are human BEings, not humans DOing.
But in the end, as most things do, it comes back to “different strokes for different folks.”
Have an awesome holiday weekend, whatever you decide to do with it. BTW, that was some photo of you at the museum gala. Not fair that you are brilliant AND gorgeous.
I love that, Sue, “We’re human BEings, not human DOings.” A great way to remind ourselves not to trip over the mountain as we race to see what’s on the other side.