Week Five Reflection: From Destination to Direction: Lessons in Authentic Success

    This week's video, "A Hero's Journey," really made me reflect a great deal on what it means to be successful. It made me realize that both life and business can be viewed as one's own quests for meaning rather than a checklist of achievements. One of the key takeaways was this idea that we're each the hero of our own story, not because we reached the summit or accumulated wealth, but because we strive for a life of purpose, contribution, and personal growth. I felt this idea really resonated, especially in light of the other presentations that we read through this week.

Another mind-blowing fact from the video was that happiness is not money, status, or power. It is actually attained by struggling through three significant questions: "Have I made a meaningful contribution?", "Was I a good person?", and "Who did I love and who loved me?" These questions shift our focus away from other approval-seeking to self-fulfilling.

It was as if Randy Komisar had spoken of not getting bogged down in trying to find "the one true passion" or worked up into a froth over how much of a difference you'll make.

Both of these observations really reinforce the importance of direction versus destination. Living by your values, acting, and being open to where the path leads. There was an undeniable connection to David Friedberg's speech as well, where he warned us against the chaser rock star syndrome of entrepreneurship. He called us to be truthful about our intentions. The video takes it a step further, suggesting that true success is not impressing others but becoming complete and authentic to yourself by going through trials, serving, and self-discovery. In the future, I would like to chart my own "hero's journey." I want to take thoughtful decisions that are important to me, rather than fretting about getting it all "just so." I want to stay flexible and willing to shift passions and pursue employment that is genuine, to me, in any case, whether through starting my own enterprise or taking other opportunities.