Article | September 6, 1988
If your idea of success is just about being ahead of others, then that is not success that is temporary growth. The very next moment someone can beat you. Success is always absolute.
Introduction
In modern society, success is often perceived as a measure of one’s ability to outdo others. From a young age, we are taught to compete, strive for superiority, outshine, and be the best. This competitive outlook has seeped into our professional lives, personal aspirations, and even our social relationships. However, is this truly the essence of success? Can being ahead of others, winning the race, or attaining a higher position than our peers guarantee genuine success? Or is this merely a fleeting victory that provides temporary growth, only to be overshadowed by the next competitor waiting in line to beat us?
If your idea of success is just about being ahead of others, then that is not success that is temporary growth. The very next moment someone can beat you. Success is always absolute.
This article delves deep into the nature of success, dissecting the common misconceptions surrounding it, and explores the profound understanding of success as something absolute—one that is not defined by competition or external benchmarks. Success, in its truest form, transcends the relative framework of comparison and competition. It is not about being ahead of others but about personal growth, inner fulfilment, and achieving a state of being where external factors cease to define your success. True success is absolute, and it is this form of success that we must aspire to achieve.
In the race of life, true victory lies not in surpassing others, but in realizing your potential.
Chapter 1: The Conventional Understanding of Success
In today's fast-paced world, success is often equated with material achievements. The corporate ladder, academic accolades, societal recognition, financial wealth—these are the benchmarks many use to gauge their success. These parameters create a competitive environment where the individual’s success is measured not by their own standards but by how they fare in comparison to others.
Take, for instance, the education system. From an early age, children are told to aim for the top ranks in school. They are encouraged to outperform their classmates, get the highest grades, win competitions, and secure the best colleges. The race begins, and it continues into adulthood. This pattern is reflected in careers, where employees are constantly vying for promotions, recognition, and rewards. Success, in this context, becomes a race—a relentless pursuit of being better than others.
When success is defined by others, it becomes a fragile trophy; when defined by yourself, it becomes an enduring journey.
However, there is an inherent flaw in this competitive model of success. As long as success is seen as a position relative to others, it is not sustainable. Why? Because there will always be someone faster, smarter, or more skilled. Even the most successful individual can be surpassed. The moment you achieve success by being ahead of someone else, you live in constant fear of losing that position. Your success becomes vulnerable, temporary, and ultimately unsatisfying.
Chapter 2: The Fragility of Comparative Success
When success is rooted in comparison, it becomes fragile. Imagine a person who has dedicated their entire life to staying ahead of others—whether in their career, social status, or personal achievements. They may indeed reach the pinnacle of success, earning wealth, recognition, and accolades. But the very foundation of their success is built on the unstable grounds of competition.
If your idea of success is defined by outdoing others, then the essence of your achievements is not based on your fulfilment or growth but on someone else's inability to keep up with you. This kind of success is always relative—it is never absolute. The moment someone better than you comes along, your success is diminished, or worse, taken away entirely. In such a scenario, success is temporary growth, a transient victory. It is akin to running on a treadmill—you may be moving, but you are not necessarily going anywhere.
In the competitive mindset, success is also driven by fear—fear of being overtaken, of becoming irrelevant, of losing the hard-won position. This fear breeds stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. No matter how much one achieves, the sword of competition hangs overhead, leading to a life of constant striving without true contentment. This fear-driven model of success is what leads many people to experience burnout, emotional exhaustion, and even depression, despite their outward achievements.
Chapter 3: Success is Always Absolute
True success, however, is not about being ahead of others. It is about being ahead of where you were before. It is an inward journey of growth, fulfilment, and self-realization. Success is absolute when it is measured by personal standards and not by external benchmarks. It is not something that can be taken away by someone else's progress because it is not rooted in comparison.
Absolute success is about discovering your purpose, working towards your goals with integrity, and achieving a sense of satisfaction that transcends external rewards. It is about mastering your own abilities, breaking your own limits, and cultivating inner strength, wisdom, and joy. When success is viewed as absolute, it is no longer a race but a path of self-discovery and self-mastery.
Success becomes absolute when:
It is self-defined: Your idea of success is based on your values, passions, and personal goals. It is not shaped by societal expectations or peer pressure.
It brings inner fulfilment: True success gives you a deep sense of peace and satisfaction, regardless of whether others recognize it or not.
It is sustainable: Absolute success is not fleeting. It is based on steady growth and continuous improvement. It is a journey, not a destination.
It transcends competition: Success is no longer about beating others. It is about becoming the best version of yourself.
It is inclusive: Absolute success is about contributing to the well-being of others. It is not achieved at the expense of someone else's failure. Instead, it uplifts those around you.
Absolute success, therefore, is a state of being. It is when you have aligned your inner purpose with your outer actions. It is when you are at peace with your journey, no matter what others are doing. It is not something that can be compared, quantified, or measured against others' achievements. It is unique to you.
Chapter 4: The Pitfalls of the Competitive Mindset
Let us now explore some of the pitfalls of the competitive mindset that prevent individuals from experiencing absolute success.
Constant Stress and Pressure: When success is seen as a race against others, there is immense pressure to keep up. This creates a life of constant stress, where the fear of failure looms large. Success becomes a source of anxiety rather than joy.
Lack of Fulfillment: Even when one achieves a higher position or greater wealth than others, the satisfaction is often short-lived. Because success was achieved in comparison to others, it lacks the depth of inner fulfilment that comes with absolute success.
Isolation and Disconnection: A competitive mindset can lead to isolation. In the pursuit of beating others, relationships may be strained, and collaboration becomes difficult. True success, however, fosters connection, as it is about personal growth that positively impacts others.
Loss of Purpose: Over time, individuals who measure success through competition may lose sight of their true purpose. The focus shifts from personal growth to external validation, leading to a sense of emptiness and disillusionment.
Short-Term Thinking: Comparative success often leads to short-term thinking, where individuals focus on immediate gains rather than long-term growth. This can result in decisions that bring temporary benefits but do not contribute to lasting success.
Success is not a destination marked by accolades, but a lifelong path of self-fulfilment and authentic growth.
Chapter 5: Redefining Success in Personal and Professional Life
To move towards absolute success, we must redefine our understanding of success in both personal and professional life. This shift requires a fundamental change in mindset—away from competition and towards self-mastery and fulfilment.
In Personal Life: Success in personal life is not about being better than others. It is about nurturing relationships, growing as an individual, and finding joy in everyday moments. Personal success comes from living in alignment with your values and purpose, rather than seeking validation from others.
In Professional Life: Absolute success in the professional realm is about achieving mastery in your work, contributing meaningfully to your field, and finding fulfilment in your efforts. It is not about climbing the corporate ladder to outshine others but about making a lasting impact through your skills and dedication.
Chapter 6: Cultivating the Mindset of Absolute Success
To achieve absolute success, we need to cultivate certain qualities that enable us to move beyond comparison and competition. Here are key attributes to develop:
Self-awareness: Success begins with understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and purpose. The more self-aware you are, the clearer your path to absolute success becomes.
Resilience: The journey to absolute success is not without challenges. Resilience allows you to persevere in the face of obstacles, learn from failures and continue to grow.
Detachment from External Validation: Absolute success requires letting go of the need for approval from others. When your success is defined by your standards, you are free from the pressure to meet societal expectations.
A Growth Mindset: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Absolute success is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey of growth.
Compassion and Generosity: True success is not achieved in isolation. It involves contributing to the well-being of others. Cultivate compassion and a spirit of generosity in your actions.
Inner Peace and Contentment: Finally, absolute success is about finding peace within yourself. It is the ability to be content with your journey, knowing that success is not defined by external circumstances but by the inner state of being.
In a world obsessed with competition and comparison, redefining success as an absolute state may seem radical. Yet, it is only when we move beyond the limited perspective of being ahead of others that we can truly experience the essence of success. Absolute success is about personal growth, fulfilment, and inner peace. It is about becoming the best version of yourself, irrespective of how others are performing.
Success, in its truest form, is a journey of self-discovery, self-mastery, and continuous improvement.
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