Photo Credit – Marcos HB Flickr stream
A Roman poet once said, “The greatest of all virtues is gratitude.”
I think that when you express gratitude, you give something to someone that touches them emotionally. You acknowledge the reality of their contribution to your success.
But more often than not, I observe that people don’t express gratitude. Or when someone is doing well, they don’t cheer others on.
Why is it that people just can’t be happy for others’ success?
When co-workers, clients, friends, colleagues, and even competitors do better, it motivates me and challenges me to do better.
The majority of my success has come from seeing others succeed and being happy for them. I use that as a drive to push for more success for myself. I love to see a new marketing campaign go out and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” (Well, let’s be truthful about it – I am actually thinking, “How can I beat it?”)
It’s all motivation, and I guess I am grateful for quality people that seek to try and win. I think it builds my own success by being happy for others who are making it happen.
When you are happy for others and others are happy for you, we all succeed. It is a great cycle to be a part of. It forces you to step up, and you get to choose to associate with excellence. It’s better than standing on the outside looking in.
If you want to achieve more, how about handling the success of others with happiness. If not for them, do it for your own good fortune.
