Billboard: "It Won't Make You Happy"

Let’s say you get it.

The promotion you’re after.
The flashy BMW.
The sexy apartment, house, jet.
The *insert x brand here*.

Will it make you happy?

Let’s say you get the status symbol you seek. Does it tick the boxes others have set for you to be successful? Are you simply pleased that they’re pleased with what you’ve accomplished? 

Perhaps, a hollow joy.

Or are you pleased… truly meaningfully pleased?

Derek Sivers, when asked, “what would you put on a billboard?” answered simply with:
‘It won’t make you happy’ referring specifically to any form of “retail therapy” – on a big and small scale.

Don’t get me wrong. Western measures of success can be stimulating, and to some, can provide genuine personal happiness. That is what we are after – making decisions that lead to an authentic joy for reasons that are right for you.

But I have noticed a trend in myself. A terrifying trend. A trend that makes me question my own make-up as a strong-willed individual. I frequently, instinctively, default to choose a big brand or popular choice rather than something that “feels right” purely because of public perception of success. I have to actively identify this instinct, challenge it, and try figure out my reasons for the decision.

Most of the time, I find more personal joy from choosing the road less travelled, the road with more unknowns, and the road more puzzling to the masses - A sense of empowerment; autonomy; that anything is possible.

What if we could choose the right thing for us, rather than the right thing for what others want for us; expect for us; or set for us as success?

Do it to make yourself happy – not because it looks like success to those around you.
Being personally happy and helping others - That to me, is a successful life.