Accomplishments in reaching your BIG goals are an important factor in creating a life of flourishing and well-being. These accomplishments can be solely for our benefit or we can use our accomplishments to benefit others as well. Then we are creating a life of flourishing while also giving meaning and purpose to our lives and giving us a path to be of Service to God and to the world. These two sides of achievement combine to enable us to make Excelerated Contributions™ and to make our world a better place.
Title Photo by Anna Tarazevich
The Hidden Power of Accomplishment and Contribution
In the pursuit of success and achievement, many of us set our sights on reaching BIG (Bold-Important-Gratifying) goals. These accomplishments are often seen as milestones of personal success, boosting our sense of well-being and fulfillment. However, what if there was a way to elevate these achievements beyond personal gain? What if the true measure of accomplishment also included the positive impact we have on others and the world around us?
Welcome to the practice of Excelerated Contribution™, where reaching your BIG goals is intertwined with giving back more than you take. This approach not only enhances your own life but brings meaning, purpose, and ways to be of Service to God and to the world.
Let’s take a few minutes and delve into the importance of accomplishments as a pillar of well-being, exploring how personal success can be transformed into a catalyst for global good. We’ll look at examples of individuals who have made significant contributions while achieving their goals and discuss how you can integrate this mindset into your own life. By the end, you’ll understand how the dual path of personal achievement and altruistic contribution can lead to a life of flourishing that resonates with purpose and positivity.
So, let’s begin this journey of discovery, where your accomplishments become not just a testament to your success but a beacon of hope and help for others, making our world a better place for all.
Accomplishments as Part Of Well-being
In developing his theory of well-being, those things that lead to long-term happiness and life satisfaction, Martin Seligman, the primary originator of Positive Psychology, identified three properties that the components of well-being must have. These are:
- They contribute to one’s well-being.
- They can be pursued for their own sake, not because of some external reward.
- Each component is defined and pursued for its own sake, not to reach some other goal. [Seligman]
The five elements that Dr. Seligman identified that met these criteria make up his theory of well-being, defined by the acronym PERMA: Positive emotion, Engagement, positive Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. [Seligman]
Although we seek accomplishments to achieve extrinsic goals such as more pay, higher status, or increased power, we also seek accomplishment for accomplishment’s sake. [Grenville-Cleave] Accomplishment is its own reward.
Winning to Win vs. Winning for Enjoyment
But, while accomplishment is pursued for its own sake, there are a couple of different approaches that we can follow. We could call them “winning for the sake of winning” and “winning for enjoyment”.
Seligman provides an example of the two types of “winners” in the accomplishment of accumulating wealth. We have folks who have amassed massive fortunes and who then, through acts of philanthropy, gave much of it away. Seligman mentions contemporary “paragons of this virtue”, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, as well as earlier exemplars, Rockefeller and Carnegie, who “spent the second half of their lives giving away” most of the fortunes they had accumulated. [Seligman]
“In contrast to these ‘donors'”, writes Seligman, “are the ‘accumulators’ who believe that the person who dies with the most toys wins.” They most certainly do not give away their “winnings”, the toys they have accumulated. And while “these accumulators and the companies they build provide the means for many other people to build lives, have families, and create their own meaning and purpose,” that is merely a side effect. It has nothing to do with their motives to be the winners nor with how they use their winnings. [Seligman]
For our purposes, we could compare winning for enjoyment to the idea of contribution (accomplishment while making a difference in our world) and winning for winning as mere accomplishment. Both can contribute to individual well-being but only one spreads well-being out into the world.
Exemplars of Excelerated Contribution™
Dr. Seligman mentioned a few exemplars of “winning for enjoyment”, our idea of contribution. Here are some others who have achieved remarkable success in their fields while significantly contributing to the betterment of society. [1]
Dr. Jane Goodall is a renowned primatologist who made groundbreaking discoveries about chimpanzee behavior. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, focusing on wildlife conservation and environmental education. The Institute advocates for animal welfare and environmental sustainability, inspiring generations to protect the natural world.
Oprah Winfrey built a media empire with her talk show, production company, and various media ventures. Through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, she has donated millions to education, empowerment, and humanitarian causes. And she established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to provide quality education to underprivileged girls.
Malala Yousafzai survived a Taliban assassination attempt and became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. Malala advocates for girls’ education worldwide through the Malala Fund. Her work has inspired global movements and policy changes to support education for girls.
José Andrés is a renowned chef and restaurateur with numerous accolades and successful restaurants. Chef Andrés founded the World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to communities affected by disasters. His organization has served millions of meals worldwide in response to natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and humanitarian crises.
J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series, one of the best-selling book series in history. She went on to establish the Volant Charitable Trust, which supports women, children, and families in crisis. Rowling donates generously to multiple charities, including organizations that fight poverty and multiple sclerosis, the latter of which her mother suffered from.
Nelson Mandela led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and became the country’s first black president. His leadership in promoting reconciliation and human rights has had a lasting impact globally. Before his death, Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which focuses on dialogue, social justice, and sustainable development.
These individuals exemplify the concept of Excelerated Contribution™ by achieving significant milestones in their careers while dedicating their resources and influence to creating a better world. Their work demonstrates that meaningful success is not only about personal achievement but also about giving back and making a positive impact on society.
Accomplishment for Yourself and Others
“Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Accomplishment can bring success to us individually as we work to achieve our BIG goals. If we then take it to the next level, we can truly make a difference through our contributions and make our world a better place.
As we have seen from our list of exemplars, contribution brings well-being not only to ourselves but to those we reach out to. You and I may never achieve the wealth of a Warren Buffet or Bill Gates, or become best-selling authors, or win a Nobel prize (although you certainly might). But the size and type of our accomplishments are not the question. We can all use our accomplishments to make a contribution. Any of us can set our sights on achieving our BIG goals and using our accomplishments to contribute to the well-being of others. We can all give back more than we take.
Give Back More Than You Take
Every morning (or at least on the mornings I do my journaling), I write down (among other things) my Job (that’s Job with a capital J) = “to share what I have learned, in Service to God and to the world”. Next, I write down my strategy to approach my Job: DWYSYWD (do what you say you will do) + give back more than I take.
What does this mean exactly, to give back more than you take? It can, of course, mean different things. Give others more attention. Give them more love. Use a portion of your time, talents, and money for the greater good.
As Earl Nightingale so wisely said, our environment, our world “is a mirror – often a merciless mirror – of ourselves.” We get back what we put in; our rewards in life are equal to our Service. Nightingale goes on to say, don’t be like the person sitting in front of an empty fireplace who says “Give me heat, then I’ll give you some wood. People seem to be divided into those who understand that the wood must be put in before they can expect warmth and those who feel they should get warmth whether or not they do anything about it, or who feel they should get maximum heat from too small a supply of wood.” [Nightingale]
“But remember this — if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6 (TLB)
As you “give back more than you take”, you’ll receive even more rewards, both tangible and intangible.
Spreading Happiness
If you are contemplating how you could combine accomplishment and contribution and achieve meaningful objectives while giving back more than you take, consider one or more of these ideas. [1]
Volunteer Your Time: Dedicate a few hours each week to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about. Whether it’s mentoring youth, helping at a food bank, or supporting local community projects, your time can make a significant impact.
Share Your Expertise: Offer your skills and knowledge to help others. This could be through free workshops, mentoring, or consulting for non-profits. Your professional expertise can be invaluable to those who need guidance and support.
Donate to Charities: Regularly contribute to charitable organizations. Even small, consistent donations can accumulate to make a big difference. Choose causes that resonate with you and ensure they align with your values.
Engage in Random Acts of Kindness: Small gestures like buying a meal for someone in need, paying for the coffee of the person behind you, or helping a neighbor with their groceries can create a ripple effect of kindness in your community.
Support Local Businesses: Shop at local businesses to help boost your local economy. Share their services with your friends and leave positive reviews to encourage others to support them as well.
Adopt Sustainable Practices: Reduce your carbon footprint by adopting eco-friendly habits like recycling, reducing waste, using public transportation, or supporting sustainable brands. Educate others about environmental conservation and inspire them to adopt similar practices.
Participate in Community Clean-Ups: Join or organize community clean-up events. Keeping your neighborhood clean and beautiful benefits everyone and fosters a sense of community pride and responsibility.
Advocate for Causes: Use your voice and platform to advocate for important social issues. Whether it’s through social media, writing articles, or participating in peaceful protests, raising awareness can drive change.
Mentor and Teach: Offer to mentor someone starting in your field or teach skills to those looking to learn. This can be done through formal mentoring programs or informally with colleagues and friends.
Practice Generosity: Be generous with your time, resources, and support. Whether it’s lending an ear to a friend in need, offering a ride to a coworker, or simply being present for your family, small acts of generosity contribute to a larger culture of giving.
Pairing Accomplishment and Contribution
The journey of accomplishment and contribution is a powerful path for leading a life of flourishing and well-being. Achieving your BIG goals can bring immense satisfaction and personal success, but when you extend those accomplishments to benefit others, you create a ripple effect of positivity and purpose.
By integrating the principles of Excelerated Contribution™, you not only enhance your own life but also contribute to the well-being of those around you. Whether through volunteering, sharing your expertise, donating, or simply practicing kindness, every action counts. Remember, it’s not the size of the contribution that matters, but the intention and effort behind it.
As you pursue your goals, consider how you can use your achievements to give back more than you take. Embrace the opportunity to make a difference, spread happiness, and serve a higher purpose. In doing so, you’ll find that your accomplishments become more meaningful, and your life resonates with greater fulfillment and joy.
Start today with small, intentional actions, and watch how your contributions, no matter how modest, can create a lasting impact on the world. Together, we can build a better, more compassionate world where success is measured not just by personal gain but by the positive change we inspire in others. This is the essence of a life well-lived and the true spirit of Excelerated Contribution™. It’s another step on the path to embracing your Excelerated Life™!
How can you use your unique purpose to be of greater Service?
What accomplishments can you reach for that will allow you to make a corresponding contribution?
Share your ideas by leaving a post below.
Excelerated Contribution™ — achieving meaningful objectives while giving back more than you take — is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.
Read more about the Excelerated Life™.
Resources:
Grenville-Cleave, Bridget. Positive Psychology: A Practical Guide. New York: MJF Books. 2012.
Nightingale, Earl. “Lead The Field. PDFDrive. Asaha Inc., . Web. Date July 17, 2020. PDF file.
https://www.pdfdrive.com/lead-the-field-e186040772.html
Seligman, Ph.D., Martin E. P. Flourish. New York: Free Press, 2011.
[1] This blog post includes research information and suggestions provided by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. Some of the content was generated with AI assistance and is intended to provide information and guidance. Please note that the suggestions are not official statements from OpenAI. To learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, you can visit the OpenAI website.