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May 2022: Embodying Meaningful Success

  

I recently saw a CMAA member’s post on LinkedIn that shared a concept called “meaningful success.” Meaningful success marks the points in time when: 1) we are doing things we love, 2) we are doing it well, and 3) we are serving others. These times can occur in our career, at home, or any place in life. At times when we are doing things where all three concepts intersect, we are in that space of “meaningful success.” Our life in this space is likely the most meaningful, most purposeful, most fulfilling and we are probably the happiest. I love this and strive to live my own life in this space as much as possible. 

Life is not just about success. It is really about meaningful success. I found even more on this topic on the web and this article resonated with me. Here are some nuggets that help to define meaningful success from this article:

  1. It is not as much about achievement in what we do, but how we are remembered.
  2. It is defined by the ways that you are surrounded by others who support and nourish you and you nourish them.
  3. Being anchored in meaningful success allows us to overcome our fears as we can see beyond them.
  4. It is about resilience and knowing that others have our backs and we have theirs.
  5. It is about giving back and doing good in the world.
  6. It is about understanding our own life and how our story can empower others.
  7. It is about self-compassion and focusing our energy on what is most important.

Can you see why living your life with a focus on meaningful success may be even more fulfilling? It certainly resonates with me. Maybe it resonates because as I get older, I am more reflective on my life and think about my own legacy. Maybe it is because I realize we are all, at any point in our lives, capable of doing better. Maybe it is because I am still thinking about several CMAA members and a National Headquarters team member we have lost over the last few months who each embodied meaningful success.

The members I am thinking about are Jay DiPietro, CCM, Larry Harper, PGA, and Donna Otis, CCM, CCE. I am also thinking about our own CMAA HQ team member Michael Mensah. Each of these were long-time members or team members of CMAA. Each contributed to CMAA at a local and National level in their own way. Each left a legacy of impacting those around them and their communities. Each of them was always there for others – from their families to their friends, to their peers, and to their co-workers.

Some of them fought illness, but that never stopped them from continuing their lives with meaningful success. Each will not soon be forgotten. Two were CMAA Fellows, marking top CMAA honors, recognizing individuals who are making a significant impact on the club management community through exemplary service and leadership, accomplishments, and/or other major contributions to CMAA and the club management profession.

Each found different pathways into club management but found long-term success in their craft. When notified about their passings, there was an outpouring of love and support from the CMAA community noting how they impacted so many in the profession – personally and professionally.

Some were quiet leaders and others were not so quiet. But that did not matter as meaningful success is not defined by your volume - it is defined by doing what you love, doing it well, and serving others. I know they will be missed by our CMAA family, but their legacies will live on through those they have impacted along the way. Peace to all who have lost friends, family, members, and co-workers recently.

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