Today’s post is inspired by this prompt.

An executive coach once asked me “what next after you chase your current goal?”. I knew the answer, “the next goal”.

In a way it is like accumulating wealth, there is no limit to human greediness, one always wants more. I have been a hyper-achiever personality since young, something that I have been proud of growing up and the achiever in me has led to chase my career goals. I could not have asked for another career path, where I am today is something I am proud of, and I have earned it through years of blood and sweat.

But going back to the question “what is next”, although I know the answer that I will not settle down anytime soon, I don’t know if I will ever settle down. I don’t want to. but what if I could. I covet recognition, titles, public appreciation. What does it mean to all of this when I settle down? I don’t know. A part of me tells I don’t want to know, because I want to keep the achiever in me alive, and never let it die.

I came across the following today:

“instead of setting a title, position, company, or comp goal, try setting a lifestyle goal and backing out from there. you might immediately feel a sense of relief when you realize there are tons of paths to get to that life you want.”

So what does my happiest life look like?

The above post goes to say that once you are able to map your life’s happiest path, one will realise there are various ways to achieve it. Like i said earlier, although I know the obvious answer to this question which is to be able to have a healthy life, the achiever in me is not letting me answer this question deliberately. It is a choice that I deliberately evade although I know what I am chasing in my career I have it all, and I am for sure there is more to conquer, nothing is stopping me. The sky is the limit!

But why is it that I choose to ignore this question?

I was walking on the streets of New York yesterday, I had a couple of hours before my flight. Being able to walk freely, being able to walk into any store and order anything i wanted, is what my younger self would have described many years ago as an answer to this question “what does your happiest life look like”.

Fast forward, being able to live that happiest life, I feel there is more as now I am many years wiser. I have freedom, I have earned all of this myself. I want to continue living a happy and carefree life. Being able to cherish the smallest moments, being able to treasure them, continue travelling the world.

Writing does make me happy. I want to write a best selling book some day, will that make me happy? It might for that time being, but after that I will want to chase more accolades and milestones. I want to. I don’t want to stop.

Many years ago I wrote a post “how to be happy and make others happy“, which is one of the most read posts on my blogsite, and in that I had mentioned what makes me happy is seeing others happy. That small thing itself is a powerful reflection. I like to show gratitude for the smallest things, that keeps me grounded always.