If you’re the over-achieving-A-type-personality, you probably know about the struggle that comes with always wanting to be successful in your work and neglecting anything that might stand in your way, including relationships. Being task-oriented causes you to focus more on things you want to accomplish than your relationship with those around you.
If you’re anything like that, you probably know that when you have a goal in mind, you’ll think of nothing but that and dedicate all your time and effort to it. You’ll miss out on outings, celebrations and trips with loved ones just so you could get the work done. I honestly thought that was something to be admired. I always looked up to people who wouldn’t let anything or anyone stand in their way; they had sort of a fierce determination that I thought was wildly motivating.
While I still respect that -and can definitely relate to it- I’ve recently come to the realization that our lives should not entirely revolve around work and achieving goals. This isn’t easy for me to say because I’ve been convinced of the exact opposite for quite a while, but I’ve recently had the chance to reconsider. I changed my mind and decided that while I should still keep my determination and willingness to succeed, I should not let it come at the price of neglecting those I love most.
A dear friend of mine recently told me that before I die, what I’m going to want beside me and around me are the people that I love; not the accomplishments I’ve made. That was when I reconsidered my perception of success; is it important? Definitely. Is it more important than having a good relationship with family and cherishing loved ones? Probably not. We should acknowledge the importance of success but always keep in mind that other things are important, too.
Isn’t it ironic how some of us work day and night to provide for family, and yet spend no time at all with them? Couldn’t some of that time be better allocated? Wouldn’t spending a couple of hours a day with your loved ones mean more to them than you coming home from work after dark?
Your career is important, but you won’t take it with you when you die. The lives you’ve touched, the love you’ve spread and the people you’ve loved are definitely going to echo in deeper and more meaningful ways.
Achieving goals feels great, but what value do these achievements have if you’ve got nobody to share them with? What good are a bunch of certificates on the wall in a house that doesn’t feel like a home? What’s the value of a thousand trophies and recognitions if you’re alone at the end of the day?
Value your success and work for it, but keep in mind that the people in your life can touch, heal, nurse and save your heart. They can give you love, peace and acceptance. It’s rare that accomplishments do that; last time I checked my successes didn’t offer much when I needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to laugh with. Thankfully, I’ve got my loved ones for that.
