Chris Dessi
Posts
Why You Need to Shift From Success to Significance

Why You Need to Shift From Success to Significance

A path to fulfillment

Chris Dessi
January 17, 2024

Sponsored by

Success is often measured by the digits in your bank account or the title on a business card, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters.

I’m guilty of this as well. I tend to get caught in a spiral of anxiety when I see my friend’s photos from their most recent trip. Or I hear about their new (home, car, second home, insert big thing here).

I lose myself momentarily and can feel my heart pounding out of my chest. Have I made the right decisions for my girls?

Will I be able to send them to the college they want to - deserve to attend?

Have I set them up for a life destined to be in debt paying off all the financial aid they’ll need?

You get the idea …

Artificial Intelligence online short course from MIT

Study artificial intelligence and gain the knowledge to support its integration into your organization. If you're looking to gain a competitive edge in today's business world, then this artificial intelligence online course may be the perfect option for you.

On completion of the MIT Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy online short course, you’ll gain:

Key AI management and leadership insights to support informed, strategic decision making.

A practical grounding in AI and its business applications, helping you to transform your organization into a future-forward business.

A road map for the strategic implementation of AI technologies in a business context.

Get More Information

It's a world where success shouts, but significance speaks in a compelling whisper.

I'm reminded that the true measure of our lives is not in the wealth we accumulate but in the richness of our contributions to the world. Sounds nice, right? Maybe it’s the same for you - but for me, this is a difficult cloak to shake off my body. I wallow in the utter self-destruction of outward success. It tears at me.

	Unconventional SuccessYour weekly dose of AI insights, self-improvement tips, and wealth-building strategies for a thriving future.

The pursuit of significance is a journey towards something greater than ourselves. It’s about creating a legacy that outlives our physical presence, impacting lives in profound ways. This is not just a philosophical ideal; it's a principle backed by research and literature that emphasizes the long-term fulfillment derived from a purpose-driven existence.

Do you use AI in your daily life?

Studies, such as those found in the works of Viktor Frankl, particularly in his seminal book, "Man’s Search for Meaning," illustrate the profound effects of living a life with purpose. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, found that those who survived the horrors of the concentration camps were often those who held onto a sense of purpose beyond their immediate circumstances.

His logotherapy teaches us that our primary drive in life is not pleasure but the discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful.

Similarly, contemporary research in positive psychology consistently shows that people who have a strong sense of purpose report higher levels of satisfaction and well-being.

	Your Monday MomentInspirational weekly newsletter to help you be more centered and effective.

For example, a study by the University of California found that people who feel they have a sense of purpose tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who do not.

In the realm of business, Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" has become a mantra for companies and leaders who aim to inspire action by focusing on purpose over profit. Sinek's theory is that people don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

This can be extrapolated to life itself — we are not remembered for what we did or what we owned, but why we did it and how it made people feel.

In my own life, the mantra 'Keep Up the Good Work' is more than an encouragement; it's a call to action to pursue a life of significance.

It's about striving to make a difference, to contribute positively to those around us, and to live in a way that aligns with our deepest values.

I’m just scratching the tip of the iceberg as I try to dig as deep as I can to find that path for me. I wonder if you’ve found that path for yourself. I know that this newsletter, and sharing these thoughts with you fulfills me. Are you fulfilled? What fills your cup?

Are you fulfilled?

In either work or personal life?

This time last year I took a course at MIT. It was exhilarating and taught me a great deal about myself. If you’re so inclined I highly recommend their courses.

Artificial Intelligence online short course from MIT

On completion of the MIT Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy online short course, you’ll gain:

Key AI management and leadership insights to support informed, strategic decision making.

A practical grounding in AI and its business applications, helping you to transform your organization into a future-forward business.

A road map for the strategic implementation of AI technologies in a business context.

Get More Information

Their newest course is on a topic that is white hot - AI. Which leads me to my next question for you:

Does AI terrify you, or thrill you?

I’ll leave you with this: Consider what significance looks like for you. It could be mentoring young professionals, volunteering in your community, or even being the best parent you can be.

The currency of significance is the impact you have on others and the legacy you leave behind.

While success can give you a fleeting sense of accomplishment, significance offers something far more lasting. It provides a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing your life resonates with purpose and positively influences the world around you.

Remember, it's not about the race for more but about the reach for meaning. That’s where true fulfillment lies.

Let's keep up the good work by making every day count, not just for ourselves, but for the world that awaits our contributions.

Keep up the good work,

Chris

Reply

or to participate.