TMS #123: The Secret to Meaningful Success

7 Lessons from The Happiness Trap

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Success. 

Itā€™s a word that lights a fire in every ambitious entrepreneur.

But here's the catch: chasing success often leads to burnout and frustration.

It can leave you feeling stuck.

What if the secret isnā€™t in chasing at all?

What if meaningful success lies in a different approach?

Let's explore seven lessons.

They transform how you pursue your goals, manage your emotions, and seek fulfillment.

I. Stop the Chase and Start Living

Most people believe happiness and success are things to achieve ā€œsomeday.ā€

They tell themselves, ā€œOnce I get the promotion, build the business, or buy the car, Iā€™ll be happy.ā€

But hereā€™s the truth: chasing happiness creates a never-ending race.

The first step to meaningful success is embracing the here and now.

Start by practicing mindfulness.

Pay attention to the present moment without judgment.

Notice the little thingsā€”how your coffee smells, the sound of the wind, or the feeling of typing on your keyboard.

When you live in the moment, you free yourself from the pressure of the chase.

II. Learn to Defuse Negative Thoughts

Your mind is like a noisy roommate.

It throws negative thoughts your way:

ā€œYouā€™re not good enough,ā€ ā€œYouā€™ll fail,ā€ or ā€œWhatā€™s the point?ā€

The trick isnā€™t to fight these thoughts.

Itā€™s to detach from them.

Imagine your thoughts as leaves floating down a river.

Instead of grabbing them, just watch them go by.

This practice, called cognitive defusion, helps you see thoughts for what they areā€”just thoughts, not facts.

When you stop giving power to negative thoughts, they lose their grip on you.

III. Focus on Values, Not Goals

Goals are great, but they can become traps.

Why?

Because theyā€™re all about the future.

Instead, focus on your values.

Values are the things that truly matter to you, like creativity, connection, or growth.

They guide how you live every day.

Ask yourself: ā€œWhat kind of person do I want to be?ā€

Let your values drive your actions.

Goals will naturally follow.

IV. Accept What You Canā€™t Control

Entrepreneurs love control.

But hereā€™s the hard truth: you canā€™t control everything.

You canā€™t control market trends, client decisions, or other peopleā€™s opinions.

What you can control is how you respond.

Practice acceptance.

This doesnā€™t mean giving up.

It means acknowledging reality and working with it.

When you stop resisting what you canā€™t change, you free up energy to focus on what you can change.

V. Take Committed Action

Success isnā€™t about waiting for motivation.

Itā€™s about taking action.

Even when it feels uncomfortable.

This is called committed action.

Itā€™s about aligning your actions with your values, no matter how hard it feels in the moment.

For example, if one of your values is growth, you might commit to pitching your business idea even if fear creeps in.

Take small, consistent steps.

Action builds momentum, and momentum builds success.

VI. Embrace the Full Range of Emotions

Letā€™s be real: being an entrepreneur is an emotional rollercoaster.

There will be stress, fear, and doubt.

The key isnā€™t to avoid these emotions but to allow them.

When you fight your emotions, they only grow stronger.

But when you make space for them, they pass through.

Think of your emotions as waves in the ocean.

They rise and fall, but they donā€™t last forever.

You are not your emotionsā€”you are the observer of them.

VII. Redefine What Success Means to You

Finally, take a moment to redefine success.

Is it about numbers in your bank account?

Or is it about the impact you make, the relationships you build, and the person you become?

Meaningful success is personal.

It's about living by your values.

It's about finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.

Success doesnā€™t have to look like anyone elseā€™s.

Define it for yourself.

Final Thoughts

Success is not an endpoint.

Itā€™s a journey.

Take one lesson from todayā€™s blog and put it into action right now.

Ask yourself: ā€œWhat small step can I take today to align with my values and move closer to meaningful success?ā€

Your future self will thank you.

Good luck out there!

Looking for more ways to fast-track your success? Hereā€™s how I can help:

1. 1:1 Coaching to unlock your potential Ā»Ā» Apply here.

2. FREE resources to discover your purpose Ā»Ā»  Start here. 

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Follow me on X and LinkedIn for daily insights into Millionaire Habits, Financial Success, and Emotional Health!

Ready to Dive Deeper?

Success isnā€™t about working harder.

Itā€™s about working smarter.

Paying members of the MindLeader Circle get exclusive access to strategies that transform these lessons into actionable steps.

Hereā€™s a sneak peek at what youā€™ll unlock:

  • Advanced techniques to make values-based decisions that skyrocket your business growth.

  • A step-by-step plan to master emotional agility for resilient leadership.

  • Time-tested strategies to balance ambition with mindfulness.

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