The Illusion Of Success In The Modern World

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Optical Illusion Flickr Photo Sharingby Luke Miller Truth Theory 

Success is subjective, and what looks like success to me will hugely differ from what it looks like to you. In this article I am not going to talk about success as a specific and definable thing that anyone can achieve by following a simple road map, no this will be more about what success is NOT for most people, although it is the current accepted paradigms of what most people think success looks like.

I will also be offering some solutions for how you can create more success in your life based on the principles you have!

Schooling

It all starts with schooling, I am not saying schooling is a bad thing as it caters for many people. The problem is- it is a very one dimensional view of the world. It sets you on a certain path of conformity that really does not suit the majority of people.

In schools curriculum dictates that the teacher is in charge and you do what they say, you are not allowed to speak to each others in class and most of the time there is only one answer to the questions being asked.

This environment stifles creativity, is not a realistic way to live and can create rebellion if the teacher cannot keep complete control of the class. Think of it like this- have you even entered a work environment of pure silence, where there is no team work? Is it common in the real world to have to all dress up in the same outfit, line up and sit in silence for hours on end, while someone speaks about things you have no interest in?

Solution

There are now a small minority of schools adopting a more creative and autonomous work place, some are based on the work of Rudolf Steiner who among other things was an educational revolutionary. Many of these schools are based upon the common principle that- if you can build a child up, they will naturally gravitate towards an education that suits them.

Check out this video for more of an understanding of what I mean-

Higher Education

Higher education is a little different from traditional schooling because you can actually choose the subject in which you would like to specialise in. I am not saying that higher education is a bad thing, it is great! The problem with higher education is the promise that it is making and the continued attitude of “if you do well now, you can worry less later.” Which is not true!

Higher education used to mean something and guaranteed you a job for life, now some people come out of higher education, are massively in debt and cannot get a job in a supermarket.

Solution

If you are going to go into further education, do what you love not what you think you should do or what someone else thinks you should do.

You only get one chance at life, so if you are going to do something, at least in that moment let it be something you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life.

Work

I have a bone to pick with work, mainly due to my bad experiences with it! It stifled my creativity and was everyman for himself. The story of “if you do well now, you can worry less later.” continues.

Work obviously differs from person to person, but the common corporate culture is that of climbing the ladder, working hard and trying to get to a higher position in your workplace.

The implication is that if you can get so far, you will become successful. This can create a cut throat, desperate attempt to rise to the top which either leaves you feeling like a failure if you don’t get there or it takes for you to reach the top to realise that it is not so much fun looking down on everyone else.

Solution

Do something you love! I know I said this before, but the truth is if you are doing something you love it is easier to get up in the morning and do it.

If you cannot do something you love in your work, do something you love outside of your work, learn to find significance in this moment and don’t expect a change in your external circumstances to bring you happiness.

Getting a promotion can obviously be a great thing, but if you are chasing it with the intention of your life being better as a result, you will unlikely find any satisfaction when you reach your destination.

Real Success

So many people grow up feeling like failures because what they want to do is not accepted in modern society.

It is impossible to define success as it differs from person to person, but what I am going to attempt to do is give you as close a definition as I possibly can.

If you can wake up in the morning, enjoy your time in between being awake and asleep without harming or taking advantage of anyone and do this consistently or at least be working towards doing this consistently, then you my friend are a success!

Thanks for reading, please take a moment to share it with your friends if you think they will like it!

Much love to you and if you want to talk about this article hit me up at lukemiller@truththeory.com with the name of the article as the subject line, I would love to talk to you, just try to keep it as short as possible so I can respond!

If you want to get my free eBook which blends psychology and spirituality to help you create more happiness in your life.Grab a free copy of my free 33 Page Illustrated eBook- Psychology Meets Spirituality- Secrets To A Supercharged Life You Control Here

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