Don’t Forget About Significance
In a recent interview on Fresh Air, a WBUR radio program, Viola Davis shared what success means to her. “How I think of it: You know, it’s like you spend your whole life wanting to climb Mount Everest and then you get to the top and then you say, ‘And now what?’ Most people I know who are on the top are not as happy as you would like to believe. And it’s not like they don’t have fulfilling personal lives or whatever – it’s just that they’re disillusioned. Because the No. 1 thing that people feel is that you live to get to that ultimate level of success, and once you reach it, you’ve got the sweet elixir — you’ve gotten the answer, and you have it. You crumble because you haven’t thought of significance. Significance is something completely different. It’s: What are you going to do with your dash of time that you have on the earth, because we all have an expiration date? … What legacy are you going to leave on the earth? …What are you going to do with your dash of time that you have on the earth, because we all have an expiration date?” The message is so powerful: you may have success, lots of it, but that is not going to be enough if there is no or little meaning in your success.
When talking about legacy, purpose, and mission, I often ask people to think about what they want others to say about them at their funeral. I have yet to hear anyone say that they want others to remember them for their big house, fancy car, designer clothing, expensive toys, or extravagant lifestyle. To some, those things are nice to others they are important, but to most they are not everything.
I’ve never had anyone tell me that they wanted to be remembered for working late hours, though some people say they want to be remembered for being hard working, which is probably more about being a good provider, or being responsible and conscientious. Whatever it is that you prioritize is usually what stand out when people who know you well think of when they think of you.
The beauty about having a legacy worth living for is that it is in your hands to create. It is up to you and no one else. Only you decide what you are going to do every day and how you are going to do it. You may have many obligations that give you a sense of restricted freedom, but in actuality you determine whether you are going to meet those obligations or not. There may be people in your life that drive you to do or say things that you may or may not want to do, but it is your choice to act and react. No one is putting a gun to your head. At least, I sure hope not!
Whatever stage you are in your life, whether you are pursuing success or have already achieved it, don’t forget about significance. It will give you much more satisfaction than any title, recognition, or compensation can provide. Then you won’t be asking what now or what was the point.
