Why You’re More Successful Than You Think

Every day I walk past a series of magazine covers my wife had framed, and I think about them way more than I should. I think about them too much because, to be honest, I’m still not sure what to do with them.

I should probably mention that I helped start the magazine in question and I ran it for almost four years. I was young (way back then) and I had no editorial experience, so those magazine covers represent a huge, unexpected opportunity that changed the course of my career. For me, those magazine covers represent life-giving relationships and newfound skills. When I look at them, I remember how much I grew from all the blood, sweat, and tears that go into making something to share with the world. Those magazine covers represent an amazing chapter of my story.

And yet.

And yet those magazine covers also represent some things I’d rather forget.

Looking back, I made a ton of mistakes along the way. At times I was arrogant, sloppy, naive, and just plain wrong. I didn’t always handle the pressure, stress, and responsibility well. I’m not proud of all the work I did.

And then there’s the business side of the equation — the magazine wasn’t a financial disaster, but it didn’t takeoff the way we hoped either. The reason I only ran the magazine for four years is because that’s how long it lasted before we shut it down. One does not earn a merit badge for piloting a publication into nonexistence.

Thus, the dilemma of the magazine covers.

I’m not sure what to do with them because when I look at them I see both success and failure, big growth and big mistakes. The covers are 9-inch by 12-inch reminders that I got some things right and some things wrong, that I made the most of some opportunities and botched others. The memories of the magazine are a mixed bag for me, and I’m learning to be okay with that.

Life, if we’re honest, is a parade of mixed bags. Your friendships, your time in college, your marriage, your career — they all feature ups and downs, highlights and lowlights, wins and losses. When we think solely in terms of success or failure, we fall into the trap of a false dichotomy. Most of life isn’t success OR failure, it’s success AND failure.

Look closer.

You’ll see your successes are seasoned with failure and your failures are seasoned with success.

If you’re determined to be disappointed, constantly ask yourself questions like, Did that thing work out perfectly? Did it go exactly as I planned? If you’d prefer a more balanced perspective, ask yourself questions like, Did I grow from that experience? Did I give my all? Was it worth it? Am I better for it?

As often as we’re able to answer yes to that second set of questions, we’re redefining success to include both patience and grace.

What will you count a success?

After all, experiences and relationships don’t have to be perfect in order to matter — it’s enough that they shape us into the people God is inviting us to become. That’s a more life-giving definition of success, right?

For me, I think it’s time I put those magazine covers in the success column so that I’m free to think about what might go on the wall next.

Why You’re More Successful Than You Think is a post from: Storyline Blog