This question is interesting as it touches upon the idea of meaning.
What do I want, why do I want it, and how can I measure whether I’ve achieved it?
This blog will also focus on how you can establish what “having it all means to you”.
The most important point I want to stress is that nobody can dictate to you what success means.
You are the one with the unique power to define success on your terms.
You are also the one responsible for making it happen.
Personal Life
I had always had the naive belief that I was looking for a simple family life.
Why did I want this?
This dream may have been formed from my experience of family life as a child.
Nobody has a “perfect childhood”, but I feel that mine was happy. I knew that I had won the lottery of life being born in the UK, and had so many of life’s advantages.
I imagine what life could have been like.
What if I had been born in Columbia in the 1960s to poor parents? I would have been born amidst guerilla warfare.
I might have even ended up on the streets fighting for my life as one of the so-called, “disposable ones” or “los desechables”.
Throughout life, I have met many people who have faced more difficult upbringings, sometimes with an unstable home life, and they can sometimes be repulsed at the idea of a simple family life.
On the other hand, some having not had that privilege, form idealistic fantasies of that perfect family life.
Defining My Personal Goals
Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m unsure about what I want in my personal life.
Is life going to be too difficult for the children I bring into the world in an age of AI?
Should I be anti-natalist – believe that even having a child is immoral?
Are modern romantic relationships worth the effort anymore?
I still need to think a lot about each of these questions and come to a definitive conclusion.
If you’re lucky enough to know the answer to these questions, you should go with the answers that lie at the core of your being.
Engaging in reflective activities such as journaling is a great way to conclude what you want in life.
Some people also may gain insight into their true wishes by seeking isolation, and intentionally disconnecting.
A mountain retreat, a cabin on the edge of a lake, or a hike through a deep forest, may give you the time necessary to reach an epiphany.
Professional Life
Some people have always had a calling.
I remember at secondary school, and even at primary school, certain individuals knew what they wanted to be.
Sometimes this strong belief had come from parental influence.
My parents weren’t the type to force me to make decisions about my future from an early age.
The only thing I knew was that I always wanted to have the top job – the first jobs I wanted were the editor of a newspaper and the Prime Minister.
As Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power states, “Everyone wants power”.
I must have realised innately how important power was even at a young age.
As I have previously stated in my blog on how “your childhood links to your future” if you spend time reflecting on your unique characteristics, your childhood beliefs, and the distinct advantages that you had over other people when you were a child, you can work out what you should be doing.
My free-thinking, logical nature sets me apart from the crowd.
These unique traits are those of the investor, not the salesman.
I feel great energy when it comes to thinking about investments.
What gives you energy?
Conclusion
“Having it all” is a personal concept that requires introspection.
Only you can define and pursue your success.
In your personal life, your upbringing and reflective practices shape your goals. Professionally, understanding your strengths and childhood aspirations is key.
Listen to your gut and make choices that align with your core values.
This approach leads to genuine fulfilment and a clear, confident path in life.
