Finding Success Without the Pressure: A Guide to Personal Growth
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Chapter 1: Letting Go of Urgency
The belief that you must achieve success immediately can be a dangerous myth.
Bhagavad Gita: (2:47) “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction.”
In my twenties, I often found myself restless at night, consumed by the fear of not being successful. It felt like an unshakeable weight, particularly during those lonely hours past midnight. I was convinced that my worth was tied to my accomplishments before reaching 30, which only led to anxiety and inaction. I felt trapped.
When you desire something too intensely, life often seems to withhold it from you until you learn to let go of that craving. Interestingly, the moments of success I’ve experienced—both in business and on platforms like Medium—occurred when I stopped expecting them. I worked hard, yes, but expecting success only served to hinder my progress.
My own expectations became an obstacle, turning into a source of self-sabotage. Society's pressures can be relentless, leading us to internalize a narrative of who we should be and torturing ourselves with these expectations. This self-inflicted stress does not facilitate progress; rather, it overwhelms us with uncertainty, preventing us from relaxing and accepting our circumstances.
Section 1.1: The Power of Non-Attachment
The Buddhist principle of non-attachment encourages us to release our grip on specific outcomes and accept that things will unfold as they should. While this mindset can be beneficial, it’s not always practical for those of us who are goal-oriented. If we aspire to achieve significant milestones, it often requires a blend of risk and, most importantly, courage.
Subsection 1.1.1: Balancing Desire and Acceptance
To strive for success inherently involves a level of anxiety. This is the trade-off: to chase our goals, we must be prepared to endure some discomfort. However, it is possible to balance spiritual non-attachment with ambition.
You can commit to your work while letting go of the outcome. As Gurdjieff wisely noted, "Work as if everything depends on work and pray as if it all depends on prayer."
This may seem contradictory, but consider this: while you cannot control the results, you have complete control over your efforts.
Stressing over potential outcomes only serves as a barrier to producing your best work.
Section 1.2: Embracing the Journey
Focusing on doing your best while allowing outcomes to unfold naturally is the ideal strategy for finding success, whether on Medium or in life.
Show up, put in the effort, and see where it leads you. Remember, you are the architect of your results, but not necessarily the master of their timing.
Chapter 2: Insights on Success
The first video titled "How A Man Creates A Need And Urgency To Succeed In Life | GUIDE" dives into the concept of urgency and how it can drive or hinder success. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding one's motivations while navigating the pressures of life.
The second video, "Ryan Holiday: The Urgent Need for Stoicism," explores how stoic principles can help in managing stress and expectations, emphasizing the value of maintaining perspective in the face of urgency.