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What is on Your Success Menu?

Disclaimer: Elise Ho, aka “Dr. Ho” is a Holistic Health & Life Coach. Dr. Ho is NOT a medical doctor, licensed therapist, lawyer, or a bevy of other things. Products or services that Dr. Ho believes in are the only ones that she recommends. Dr. Ho may receive compensation, product, or an affiliate commission on anything you see on this site. This is a personal Website solely reflecting Dr. Ho’s personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of any organization with which I may be affiliated.

What Is On Your Success Menu?

Should a person let society tell them what success is?

The problem with letting someone else decide on a definition of success for you is that you greatly increase the chances that you will end up with a definition that doesn’t suit you.

It’s a little bit like letting someone else order for you in a restaurant. You will certainly end up eating what they like, but you very likely won’t end up with the exact meal that suits your own tastes.

If you never develop the facilities to be able to make your own decision on the matter then you run the risk of ending up with someone else’s dinner, so to speak.

In order to end up with what you want you will need to know what is available to you. Click To Tweet

This article aims to show some of the main choices that are on the success menu.

It also aims to show that most, if not all, of these success menu items, can be ordered “a’ la carte”

The definition of success can be as individualistic as you are. Click To Tweet

Review the success menu to get a general idea of how to successfully tailor your own order.

For many people, success is defined by objects.

Under this definition, a successful person has a number of material possessions, all of which demonstrate to the world at large the measure of that person’s success. We all know the types of objects at issue here because all of us, to one extent or another, are influenced by this definition of success. To be clear, what we’re talking about are large houses, multiple vehicles, expensive electronic devices, and fashionable clothes.

These material trappings, because of their collective price tag, tell the world that their owner has enough money to be able to purchase them. While they may provide comfort to the owner, they are also a potent symbol that lets the world know his or her social status. Let’s call this definition “material success.”

Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with material success.

We live in a wonderful world that is chock full of some very amazing items. Each of us is blessed to be able to have the chance to sample some of these treats. Click To Tweet

Money is not only a measure of success. It is also a measure of security.

Money can provide for the necessities of life. This is true for you and for those you love and who depend upon you for protection. Because of this, material success becomes an obvious choice for many.

The pull of luxury, as well as financial security, is a powerful motivating force to working hard and getting ahead. However, this pull can be so strong that it blinds those who choose this path to other available options. The problem is that these additional options can be necessary to a full and complete measure of success. Without them, material success can become a hollow and empty trap that, ironically, does not feel the least bit successful.

Another option on the success menu is spirituality.

In many ways, spiritual success is the exact opposite of material success.

Spiritual success is essentially anything that fills your heart and soul with pride. In many cases, this will actually bring material successes as a byproduct. For example, becoming a neurologist is goal-focused primarily on helping patients. However, it’s a well-paid career too, which is never a bad thing.

Careers aren’t the only source of spiritual success. Giving back to the world, protecting the planet, and guiding others can take many forms. If it helps you become comfortable and confident in your skin, you are onto a winner.

In today’s hectic world, simply creating time to be spent with your family can also be deemed a spiritual success.

However, it is more than likely that the first definition of success was materialistic.

Instead of relying on external and material objects, spiritual success concentrates on internal development Click To Tweet

However, it is more than likely that the first definition of success was materialistic.

After all, we evolved in a harsh and competitive world. In this world, the resources were limited. The group that could most successfully stockpile a surplus of resources survived. Human beings became very adept at identifying potential food sources. This ability allowed us to move beyond hunting and gathering. We were able to move into pastoralism, agriculture, and, eventually, into higher social technologies.

As we developed, we brought nature’s definition of success with us.

Our economies reflected the fact that abundance was the preferred goal. The resources that an individual possessed were the measure of success. In this way, the idea of material success was born.

A wealthy individual was judged as being more worthy of survival.

In human communities, the penalty of having less was being segregated into a social class that was deemed lower. People-focused pointedly on money and material possessions as the way to happiness and fulfillment. The rush for individual material survival was on.

As a result, some of the other human values were ignored or became less important.

The problem was that the antipathy between the two approaches meant that someone had to adopt an either/or approach.

The need to choose between material success and spiritual success is a false one.

“Liberated Success” is an additional choice. It frees the individual from having to choose between material and spiritual success. Liberated success is about re-empowering the individual with the ability to choose.

This freedom to be yourself means that you do not have to be locked into a lifestyle that is supposed to be fulfilling yet does not align completely with your values. Click To Tweet

This freedom also means that the individual is more likely to be able to share that happiness with others.

The combination of the best elements of material and spiritual success will bring true happiness.

Originally published September 9, 20

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Naturally Yours,
Elise Ho
Ph.D., D.N. Psych.
Behavioral & Mental Health Specialist

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16 thoughts on “What is on Your Success Menu?”

Jann Olson
October 7, 2018 at 9:18 pm

Everyone does judge success differently. I enjoyed reading this post! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 17, 2018 at 1:09 am
  
  We sure do.
  
  Reply
Terri
October 5, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Has this focus changed for the better over the past decade? Thanks for your thoughts.

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 17, 2018 at 1:09 am
  
  What do you think?
  
  Reply
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
October 5, 2018 at 4:56 am

Success to me is about balance – if you have the right amount of focus on the different aspects of your life then it brings contentment and a feeling of success. Too much emphasis on money brings envy and dissatisfaction, too much dependency on family causes falling out and misunderstanding, too leisure brings laziness – and so it goes. Give me balance any day 🙂

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  March 8, 2019 at 6:47 am
  
  Balance is a beautiful thing. It is always interesting to hear from you.
  
  Reply
candy
October 5, 2018 at 1:19 am

There are many ways to judge success. Being a wife, mother, grandmother for me is a success story. I have many success stories. Found you on Blogger’s Pit Stop Link Party.

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 5, 2018 at 3:37 am
  
  I think that these are wonderful successes.
  
  Reply
mrs mummy harris
October 4, 2018 at 11:27 am

Success is in the eye of the beholder and for me I feel like I’ve become successful as I have a happy marriage, beautiful and smart children alongside a budding blog and digital marketing company.
As long as I can pay my bills and have enough money for Christmas presents and time away with the kids once or twice a year than I’ve made it in my eyes!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 5, 2018 at 3:40 am
  
  It sounds as if you have created a wonderful life.
  
  Reply
Sigrid Chu
October 3, 2018 at 4:07 pm

Hello Elise,

Thank you for this post.

I definitely share the sentiment of this article. Success can only be defined by us and us alone. The definition of success for one person may not be the same for another. So I am really wary of advice on how to be successful. It’s dangerous to follow one method that leads to a different direction.

Best,
Sigrid

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 3, 2018 at 11:07 pm
  
  Thank you for sharing your insight.
  
  Reply
Tracey Carr
October 3, 2018 at 12:11 pm

An extremely interesting article, I really enjoyed reading it. To be honest material success just gives me a headache, it only reminds me of my sister and how ultra competitive she is because she measures absolutely everything by material success. I like the idea of liberated success personally, that sounds far more like something that suits me. Thanks again, it definitely gives pause for thought #DreamTeam

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 3, 2018 at 11:07 pm
  
  It sounds as if you and your sister are quite different than each other. I am happy that you know what matters to you and what makes you happy.
  
  Reply
Jo
October 3, 2018 at 9:18 am

This thumbnail intrigued me and I am so glad I clicked. Great content and such a thought provoking post! #bloggerclubuk

Reply
1. Dr. Elise Ho
  October 3, 2018 at 11:05 pm
  
  I am really happy that you clicked too.
  
  Reply

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About The Author

Dr. Elise Ho

Dr. Elise Ho is a Holistic Health & Life Coach with a special interest in emotional health, life alignment, and energy flow.

Elise will partner with you to align your mindset, your energy, your home and your career so that you can live your life's desire with freedom and love.

Elise offers 30 years of experience and multiple certifications and degrees including a Ph.D. in Natural Health and a doctoral degree in Naturopathic Psychology.

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Dr. Elise Ho is a Holistic Health & Life Coach with a special interest in emotional health, life alignment, and energy flow.

Elise will partner with you to align your mindset, your energy, your home, and your career so that you can live your life’s desire with freedom and love.

What is on Your Success Menu?