How Could Success Possibly be a Trap?

I’m inspired (yet again) by a Gapingvoid Culture blog.

If you’re from my generation…
you’ve probably heard the phrase “As Rich as Croesus”.

In 440 BC, our hero – King Croesus – was the richest man in the Greek world.

He must have felt great!
That is, until he asked philosopher, Solon this question:

“Pray tell me (or the Greek equivalent of that)…
Who is the richest man in the world?”

He wasn’t best pleased when Solon described a middle-class fellow.
A fellow with a small farm.. a delightful family… friends galore… and very much loved and honoured by the townspeople.

Our hero, Croesus, promptly sacked Solon from his ‘Best Friends’ list.

Now, as our friend, Aesop, would have said:
“Much Always Wants More.”

So… It wasn’t long before Croesus indulged that lust…
by invading the powerful kingdom of Persia.

Not surprisingly, Croesus’s army becomes mincemeat.
Croesus finds himself Cyrus the Great’s personal servant.

There are all sorts of lessons to be gleaned from this story.

For starters…

Position and Power…
Possessions and Popularity…

They’re fleeting stuff!
They’re companions of Hubris.
And they’re soooo seductive.

What’s more…
Even when rolled together… they seldom equate to happiness.

Want an example?

Just look at your list of wealthiest clients.
Now tell me you can’t find a number of grumpy, empty people there!

What’s fascinating is that it’s so difficult to measure whether someone’s life is truly fulfilling…
Whether they’re TRULY rich…

Until it’s over!

The REAL story is what they’ll say about you…
When YOU can no longer influence what they say!

So…
Before updating your website to further blow your trumpet…

Consider the courage and strength needed…
To exercise the sheer POWER of humility!

It takes far more thought to work with.

But it perfectly suits those with foresight…
Those playing a Long-Term Game.