Most people when asked, polled, or researched say the measure of successful life is happiness. Over the years I’ve witnessed a lot of people trying to be happy. Books have been written. Songs have been sung. Seminars. Workshops. Novels. Surgeries. Money. Fame. Pills. Power. All in the quest for the feeling of happiness.
Happiness used to always confused me.
Happiness used to always confused me. I remember as a child agonizing for months for that one special Christmas present. Finally, Santa came and I got my treasured prize only to have the allure disappear after the initial rush. Happiness turned into a lust for more. More. More. More. Later, I had these same emotions when I got a new car, or house, or electronic gadget. Material “stuff” rarely sustains happiness.
In the business world happiness is generally equated with financial success and the "stuff" they could buy. I've been lucky to talk to many successful owners and executives over the years, and I often ask some derivative of the question why? Those of you that know me, know I'm like a three-year old. Why? Why? Why? Why are you in reprographics? Why are you successful in what you do? Why do you do that thing you do? (de do do do, de da da da)
Most of my conversations follow an archetypal path of hardship, revelation and windfall— but the story rarely ends there. Somewhere in the tale there's a tranquil pause. That slight hesitation in the conversation where the process gives way to the purpose. The entire body language changes as they reflect on how people ultimately made it all worthwhile. A smile on an employee's face. That customer they've known for thirty years. A reflection on a quiet day reminiscing how much they've grown as a person over the years. That's what puts a smile on their face and a reason to feel proud. That's what really makes them happy.
I like what concentration camp survivor and psychologist Viktor Frankl teaches in his book Man’s Search for Meaning. “Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue,” he says.
"One must have a reason to be happy. A human being is not one in pursuit of happiness but rather in search of a reason to become happy. — Viktor Frankl
The dance is how we learn to harness the "reason" for each person in our organization and develop channels for them to help our customers with their reason. When the two intertwine there's plenty of happiness to go around.