One of the most important concepts to come out of Alain de Botton’s TED talk about success is the idea that success is largely determined by how we define it.
That’s not shirking and it’s not just wishful thinking.
It reminds me of something Clayton Christensen said in his talk (also at TED) “How Will You Measure Your Life?” That is: “It’s actually really important that you succeed at what you’re succeeding at, but that isn’t going to be the measure of your life.”
That’s one of the first principles of this business ethos that I’m defining here. In order to accomplish any of the other goals I’m advocating for, it’s really important for us to succeed at whatever it is we’re doing in business. But as we do it’s essential not to lose sight of the fact that our lives aren’t about our businesses.
Our lives will be measured by how well we’ve helped the people around us be better people.
And so should our businesses.
