How many times in your life have you thought, “If I could just get (fill in the blank) I would have all the happiness and fulfillment I need in life”? And how many times has your fill in the blank answer been something like money, a new car, a job promotion or some other material possession? If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve all been there and done that. There was a time in my life where I bought into the lie that I could find true happiness and fulfillment in travel, possessions, a high-flying social life and pursuit of things that, like castles in the sand, were in a constant state of decay. I refer to this as The Black Hole Syndrome.
Think about it.
The endless pursuit of things in a constant state of decay simply means you will always be left wanting more as those things eventually sink into the Black Hole. If you can’t find happiness and fulfillment exactly where you are, then gaining anything, at any place and at any time, will never satisfy you. I truly believe everyone can experience joy and happiness in their lives, which will ultimately lead to a sense of fulfillment and contentment. I won’t argue that in today’s world of conflicting messages, finding that peace is not always an easy task. But, I’ve got a couple of suggestions that might help make it a little easier. They certainly have helped me.
My first suggestion is to stop making decisions based primarily on what you think others will think. Too many folks tie their identity, confidence and satisfaction to how they believe they will be perceived and virtually no action is taken without first considering the benefits or losses of what others may think. These folks, without fail, will eventually fall victim to the Black Hole Syndrome.
Then, instead of being so concerned about what people think of you, I suggest aligning yourself with those people who define themselves by the quality of their relationships with others. You know these people just as well as you know those with Black Hole Syndrome. When I have run across these folks either personally or professionally, I’ve noticed some common traits. They are almost always unassuming and direct, yet tactful. They are content and steady, but not rushed. They are articulate, reasonably focused, patient and peaceful in demeanor. They are unlikely to gossip and genuinely desire to know about you on a personal level. They rarely engage in discussions on the material aspects of life. These are the kind of people I prefer to be around, especially in business.
If you find yourself suffering from the Black Hole Syndrome, take comfort in the fact that there is a “return policy” where you can turn away from the lie and focus instead, on the relationships in your life. It’s only through quality relationships that true happiness and fulfillment can be achieved.
The best people and companies I encounter are those who develop authentic relationships. And isn’t every genuine success built first on a relationship?
I encourage you to start building quality relationships today with your family, friends, neighbors and business associates. The success, happiness and fulfillment you seek at work and at home are right in front of you every day. Start right now!