Celebrating Another’s Success
One of the best feelings…when you are happy for someone else who has done or is doing great things.
Recently, in the last few weeks, I had a “catch-up" conversation with a former colleague, someone I always had great admiration and respect for. In our call, I was able to hear about the work she's doing, making a real impact on the people she works with. And while I had almost nothing to do with her learning and perfecting her area of expertise, the conversation made me incredibly happy.
We spend so much time in our lives centered on what we do…what we're involved with daily. And to a large degree, that makes sense. If your values are centered around your family, those you love, the organization for which you work, etc., it makes natural sense that you wouldn't be as aware of others, particularly if they're not within the normal orbit of your personal or professional life. This is the case for my dear friend. While we used to see each other almost weekly, even though we live half a country apart, today I only get the privilege of speaking with her once or twice a year.
But if you truly care about others, when somebody's doing great things, it should make you feel joyful for them. For their hard work and accomplishments. For what they're offering others to make a difference. And after an hour plus with my friend, that's exactly how I felt.
It's also an opportunity to reflect on the difference you make every day. Or in this case, that I make every day. Am I centering others and their needs at what I'm trying to accomplish or is it just about me? How do I make someone else's world a little bit better that may not bring me profitability from a financial perspective but immense pride from a professional relationship perspective? How do I make the world less about me and more about others?
That's what my friend's doing. Impactful, important work that gets to the heart of one’s self-actualization, to steal a concept from Abraham Maslow. She's making a difference. I'm happy for her. And I'm better for spending an hour talking, catching up, and commiserating, with a small bit of celebration of her amazing work.
