Success. It sounds nice, né? Driving a flashy car, living in a big house, and maybe even sipping on overpriced coffee while staring at your bank balance. But Albert Einstein – who was quite a clever guy – had a different take: "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." So, what exactly does that mean? And why should you care? Let’s unpack it.
Success vs. Value – What's the Big Deal?
If you chase success alone, you might end up with a lot of money but not much meaning. You know, like those guys who have plenty of rands in the bank but no real friends to share a braai with. When you focus on being valuable, however, you create something lasting. Value means making a difference, solving problems, and leaving people better off than before they met you.
Think about it. Who do you respect more: the guy who flaunts his wealth but contributes nothing to society, or the person who genuinely helps others, even if they aren’t rolling in cash? The world already has enough "successful" people; what we really need are people of value.
Why Business Owners Should Care
Small business owners, especially, can learn a lot from this. Sure, you want your business to be successful – no one starts a business to break even – but if you focus on providing real value, success often follows naturally. Happy customers bring repeat business. Word-of-mouth marketing (which, by the way, is free!) can do wonders if people genuinely believe in what you offer.
Think of your favorite businesses. Why do you support them? It’s probably not just because they make the most money, but because they give you quality service, solve a problem, or simply make your life better. That’s value in action.
Learning from Others – The Shortcut to Success
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. One of the best ways to build a business (or just be a better human) is by learning from others. Look at successful entrepreneurs – not just the billionaires on magazine covers, but ordinary business owners who build strong, sustainable businesses. What do they have in common? They focus on adding value. They listen to their customers, adapt, and keep learning.
And don’t just look at success stories – you can learn a lot from failures too. Someone else’s mistake could save you thousands of rands. Watch, listen, and learn. The best education doesn’t always come from a university; sometimes, it’s in the everyday experiences of others.
Technology Helps, But People Matter More
Running a business is no joke – payroll, HR, keeping employees happy, and making sure SARS doesn’t come knocking at your door. Platforms like Rise People help business owners manage the admin side of things so they can focus on what really matters – people. Because at the end of the day, business isn’t just about numbers; it’s about relationships.
Final Thoughts
Albert Einstein wasn’t a businessman, but his words still apply. If you chase success without value, you might get somewhere, but it won’t be very fulfilling. Focus on making a difference, and success – in one form or another – will find you. So, next time you’re thinking about your goals, ask yourself: Am I building success, or am I building value? If you get that right, the rest will follow.
And hey, if all else fails, at least you’ll still be the kind of person people actually want to have a dop with. That’s worth something too.
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