The push with our children (and ourselves) seems to be success.  Being the best at what we do, achieving financial stability and wealth, etc.  We put in long hours at the expense of others many times (family, friends, ourselves).  Sometimes we disregard sound health practices.

Is what we are after sufficient to sustain our efforts?  Does it take the effort we continue to make?  What arent we in action about that is excused because we are œworking hard?

I dont know the answer to any of those questions.  I can answer them for me.   You can do that for yourself.

If your purpose is to get rich or win championships or be famous or be the œbest at what you do, more power to you.  Nothing wrong with any of that.  I think, however, that you will find that all or any part of those things will not give you the quality experience of life that us actually available to you.

Right about now you are probably thinking, œIs this guy on drugs?  If I won a string of championships, was rich and famous, and all that good stuff I would have the greatest life ever.  Maybe.

I say maybe because I think there is something beyond all of those things.  Before I go there, I want to tell you a little story that illustrates what actually happens with our successes.

About 15 years ago I had a client who was a very successful corporate executive.  He told me this little story about his life, which will illustrate where I am going with this.

Upon finishing graduate school and armed with his MBA, he took on the challenge of securing a position on Wall Street.  He was very successful in doing that and went to work.

Sometime during his first year, he said to himself, œSelf, if you ever make a hundred thousand dollars in a year, you will have it made.  In his fourth year he did just that.

Naturally, he got his friends together to celebrate his good fortune.  That was the last time a raise was anything more than a blip on the radar screen.  And, he had many raises after that first milestone.  In fact, his salary when I was coaching him was four million dollars per year.  So what happened?

What happens is our accomplishments become like the air we breathe.  Oh, at the moment of the big win or success we are excited, but quickly we are back to œbusiness as usual.

Tell me the difference between playing in the championship game and winning the championship game?  I say very little.  The people who loved you before the game will love you, win, lose, or draw,  after the game.  If they dont, they didnt love you in the first place.

Given our culture, what the winner has over the loser is leverage.  People tend to listen to the winner, the œbest in the business.  The winner must know something others dont know.  Even if the topic is not even in their area of expertise.

So, you have leverage?  What do you do with it?  Great question.  Because people will listen to you, you can influence the areas in which you choose to make a difference and really make a difference.

Everywhere you use the leverage you have for the greater good of humanity, you will experience satisfaction at the highest levels.

Bill Gates, the Microsoft icon, is mostly engaged these days in the work of his foundation, giving and raising money for a variety of causes.  Warren Buffet, the businessmans businessman and a billionaire confessed he did not know much about giving so he just gave the money to Bill Gates to do it for him.

They and accomplished people like them are using their wealth or reputation or notoriety to leverage the success of projects all over the world.  Use your accomplishments to do the same.

It doesnt have to be worldwide.  Right in your community there are many worthy projects.  If the coach of the local high school uses his leverage he/she can ensure the success of any project.

Achieve, be known, and then contribute.  Dont leave that last step out.  Its good for the soul.