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Measuring Success

By Pete McGarahan

It started with a movie on the plane to New York.

Just another week away from my young family to spend with clients and co-workers.

Just another step on the road to success, making money and sacrificing, always sacrificing.

Just another cross-country, redeye flight – business as usual.

There was something different about this flight - I thought I would actually watch the movie this time since I had no work to do.

The feature was “My Life As A House”, the story about an architect named George (Kevin Kline) who has just been fired from his job of 30 years. Living alone in a dilapidated house, located in a posh Californian neighborhood, George is forced to reassess his life when he is informed that cancer will soon end it. Ready to tear down his house to replace it with a new one, George goes to his ex-wife with a request that his estranged son Sam joins him for the summer to help with the construction. The problem is that the rebellious, drug-addicted son wants nothing to do with his father – and so begins the movie that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let you go – even after the credits roll.

It’s easy to hide a moist eye; but it’s difficult to hide a pair of red, tear-stained eyes from your fellow first class passengers.

The defining moment in the movie for me was when George shares his most joyous moment in life with his ex-wife. He describes his memory of hugging his young son in the cold, rushing waves of the Pacific Ocean, feeling his young son’s heartbeat against his chest and listening to his infectious laughter. At the end of the movie, his ex-wife brings this video to his deathbed for him to enjoy his most cherished memory for the last time.

Being a father of two young ones and traveling the way I did – this moment had a huge impact on me. It was like a shot of adrenaline. My whole self seemed awakened as to the importance of this event. I couldn’t wait until my family woke up so I could talk to them. I couldn’t wait until I ended the week’s work so I could return home to enjoy them.

For George, he finally learned (better later than never) what success was, what made him happy and to appreciate what he had – his family.

For me, being on the road often – it was simple. I wanted to enjoy more moments of happiness with my family. I needed to reevaluate my measurement for success in terms of ‘what makes me happy’. It was clear after my reaction to the movie that happiness for me was enjoying every moment with my family. Enjoying every hug, every bath, every book reading, every vacation, every snuggle, every hug and kiss. Consciously ‘Be Here Now’ - everyday, every minute and every second. Be present and enjoy the ‘little’ things that life has to offer.

People often told me, “enjoy your children while they're young, they grow up so fast”. I never got it until I saw this movie. Now I know – and I have the time to do something about it. I can appreciate what I have – my family. I thank God for having two healthy, wonderful children and a loving wife. I am a lucky and blessed man to have the experiences / opportunities I have had and met the people I have met. I take none of it for granted and believe Friendship is a powerful and wonderful gift.

I will leave you with three things to think about:

1. Success is how YOU define it – not everyone else’s definition.

2. Success is what YOU want to get out of it – what is important to YOU – what makes YOU happy - not everybody else.

3. Success should be measured in your own terms – not someone else’s.

Service and support people find success in helping customers as well as each other. They find happiness in being of service to others. This is what makes our industry and community special, unique and rewarding. Sharing a real connection with family, friends and customers – priceless - what can be more successful than that!

About the author:

Pete McGarahan is an accomplished, widely recognized expert in delivering service and support value to a wide variety of clients for more than 20 years. He blends his extensive knowledge of support industry trends and directions, proven best practices, and business alignment strategies to serve as both a thought leader and mentor for the support community. McGarahan & Associates is in the business of helping organizations achieve service and support value. By applying extensive real world experiences, focus and industry best practices, we deliver results focused on strategic alignment, support structure, service level management, standard operating procedures, IT service management, staff utilization and training, tool optimization, marketing to senior management and reporting. Pete can be contacted at pete@mcgarahan.com

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