For years I believed that if I took life seriously and worked hard, I would become successful. Once I became successful, I would be happy. So, I worked hard in building a successful business hoping that success would bring happiness.
It didn’t.
At the time, I was the COO of a successful multinational consulting firm. I was a single guy living in a 4 story townhouse just outside of Boston. I drove a fancy car, spent weekends sailing with friends, and enjoyed several international trips including a safari in Africa.
I was on top of the world.
Life was great.
Then 9/11 happened.
Within days our best clients were calling to cancel projects, and I had to find a way to save the company. We downsized the company, and since there wasn’t a need for me in a smaller organization, I laid myself off along with several other employees.
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I sold most of my possessions and took a volunteer position with a non-profit organization.
I learned that there is more to life than money and things and that doing something more meaningful with my life made me happier.
Now I am married and have a daughter who is now a junior in college and will be attending medical school in two years.
Even though we live a much simpler lifestyle, I am much happier than I have been in the past.
Helping my daughter and her friends find their passions has given my life meaning. Spending time with my wife and daughter is what makes me happy.
Most of us go through life believing that when we graduate from college, find our dream job, or get that big promotion we will be happy.
But, we miss out on life while we are chasing success.
It’s crucial to learn how to be happy today. Taking your life too seriously rarely breeds the kind of happiness most people want out of it. If you can’t find the time to do the things that truly make you happy today, you will regret it later.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your life — take some time today to step back, and do something that will make you happy.
You won’t regret it.
Originally published on Medium
Photo—Taro the Shiba Inu/Flickr