How would you define success?

Recently a friend of mine said to me... 'remember me when you get to the 'top.'

It made me laugh. I wondered where that place is and if it exists.

Growing up I was made to believe that to be successful it is important to study hard at school, go to college and University then find a well paid job. Once in the job you should keep trying to improve and move up by working extra hours, trying to get promotions thereby earning extra money for a better life. Because a well paid job with lots of money = happiness and success right? And don't forget the big house, nice clothes and flashy car those too are signs of success... aren't they?

At times in my life I have thought that I was on the road to success. I had decided at 18 years old that I would make a living out of working in a field that I was passionate about; health and fitness. So I trained as a gym, aerobics, circuit and step teacher. A few years later as a personal trainer. I love learning and decided to go to go back to University in my early 20s where I graduated with a first class honours degree in Nutrition with Sports Science. Since then I have trained as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, C.H.E.K practitioner, biosig practitioner, childhood obesity coach, anatomy in motion practitioner and will continue to learn throughout my life.

There have been times in my life when I have looked over all my achievements and thought this means I deserve success, I am owed something for all my hard work. Plus everyone told me that with a first class degree I will 'go places.' ;-). I believed that I would be successful and I defined success as money, academic achievements, house, car, clothes, good looking boyfriend etc..

So why on graduation day after 3 years of hard work and the best possible outcome did I not feel overcome with joy and excitement about my future? And why after landing an amazing job with some of the top trainers in London, working as a full time personal trainer and yoga teacher earning more money than I had ever had in my life did I not FEEL successful?

It's because I was disillusioned about what success is!!!! My intention was to use all the knowledge I had to make money for nice things that would make me feel happy. I thought that meant that I had to work with as many clients as possible and work as many hours as possible so that one day I would make it!!! What a load of bullshit. I kidded myself that I was happy. Getting up at 5am, getting home 7/8/9pm. Working Mon-Sat. I was doing what I always dreamed of and I pretended that it was making me happy because I believed it should be.

At a point in my life I became really drawn to meditation and started to practise a lot of yoga. I started to relax and become intimate with what felt true and real in my mind, body and life. I started to realise that if you do not feel successful then you are not successful no matter what your job title is. No matter how much money you earn. To feel successful you need a sense of fulfilment from what you do.

My relationship to success changed and then my relationship to my clients and work changed. I realised the enormous impact I could have on people's lives. I started to use all the knowledge I had learnt to help people transform their bodies and minds. Now I love nothing more then embarking on a journey with a client. I am honoured to be a part of it. Sometimes clients really let me into their lives and we work on fitness, nutrition, movement, emotional health and their spiritual journey. I now see the money I earn as an exchange for the amount of energy I put into the session and use it to continue to expand my business to reach more people who need help. I only work with clients that I think I can help. It's not about earning money for the sake of earning money. 

I also realise how important it is that I take time for myself to relax and enjoy life to give me energy and passion for life so that I have energy and passion for my clients. I do not work late evenings and take at least 2 days off a week. I realise that quality not quantity in all aspects of life is important.

SO now I feel successful or in other words satisfied/ fulfilled because I can empower my clients and give them all they need to become healthy and balanced. They become an inspiration to people around them and inspire others to make positive changes. THAT makes me smile and gives me more fulfillment than money ever can :))

'If you have earned millions and are stressed out, you are not deemed successful in the eyes of the spirit. Nor are you if you have climbed to the top of the pyramid but have harmed people in the process. Nor if you are the winner but your integrity is compromised. You are successful when you have achieved your aim through co-operation and by empowering others'. Diana Cooper