Everywhere I read I see articles about success and how to be successful. The truth is that we all are capable of being successful, however that will not be meaningful until we put love and passion into everything we do. Then, and only then, we will “feel” successful. That is when you reach the “Meraki” stage. Meraki is a Greek word that can be translated to the action of putting love and passion into everything you do.
There is a trap into all this. Is when you confuse that drive that comes from the need of satisfying your ego with the drive that comes from passion and love. The ego drive will push you to your target, but you will fail to build a strong network since there is no love in your work. One of the most popular sales books of all times is “The Greatest Salesman in the World” by Og Mandino. This book dedicates a whole chapter to the phrase “I will greet the day with love in my heart”. It is just about filling your heart with love so you can see the good in everything you do and everyone you meet in your day.
One of the turning points of my career was when felt I was at my peak. I had developed a reputation of a “no nonsense executive who gets things done” and “he never miss a deadline” as stated on my yearly appraisals. One Manager that I did not reported to took the time to have a sit with me and give me a short and meaningful feedback: “I see you as a person who will always meet his target regardless of how many people you hurt on the way to success”. I definitely did not feel successful after that.
Later in my career when I was in the lowest point when I found myself unemployed, I had to take a job as a Crossfit Coach. That was lowest paying job I did in 15 years. I was broke, worked every day for 13 hours and never felt happier and more successful in my professional life. It was when I decided to do it with passion and love when I realized that I was improving the quality of the life of my clients. Bottom line, is all about this simple formula: Meraki = Success. Cheers!
