Success: Inner vs. Outer (Fulfill Your Inner Life)

There’s a big difference between inner success and outer success. You can be successful on the inside, and a total failure in the eyes of the world. Conversely, you can be successful in the eyes of the world and miserable on the inside.

Being successful on the inside involves defining and living your own version of success and staying true to your unique values even when others disagree.

Being successful on the outside involves money, fame, recognition, status, titles, and power. Being successful on the outside means pleasing others, even when it means compromising your peace of mind.

Inner success is far more important than outer success. There are people who have achieved enormous amounts of money and fame yet felt completely empty on the inside. Look at Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell who recently killed themselves. Look at Danny Dias, Heath Ledger, and Philip Seymour Hoffman who died way too early from chronic drug abuse. Look at the iconic Anthony Bourdain who took his life at the peak of his success. I share these examples with the utmost respect, as these are people I admired. May their souls rest in peace – let’s learn from this and do what we can to prevent it from happening again. Why aren’t more people talking about this? At the very least, let’s open up a discussion as to why these kinds of tragedies are so easily happening in our society.

There’s nothing whatsoever wrong with outer success, as long as inner success comes first. As I discussed in my New York City TEDx talk How to Fulfill Your Inner Life, the peril is enormous for anyone who neglects to acknowledge and fulfill their inner life.

Despite everything I’ve said here, society makes it seem like outer success is the goal. Please don’t let society brainwash you. Put your inner life first, and the rest of your life will take care of itself. This is not some motivational platitude. This is a real, practical reality. Yes, there will still be struggles along with constant ups and downs. But when you put your inner life first, you will be building your life on a strong foundation of inner strength and values as you lead yourself to joy.

Today is my 31st birthday and I will do my best to continue putting inner success first. Will you join me? I will see you, my friend, at the Mountaintop.

Jeff Davis is an award-winning author, most recently publishing The Power of Authentic Leadership: Activating the 13 Keys to Achieving Prosperity Through Authenticity.