We regularly think about what it takes for us to be successful and we work hard towards it, as we should. However, it may not occur to us that it is equally important to be aware and prepared for handling success. As much as success brings great benefits and opportunities, it carries a risk if we are not careful.

We can get carried away with our success. The headiness of things going well can cloud our judgement and behaviour. We risk losing sight of all the things we did to get where we are and start taking things for granted. Not handled well, success can make us lose perspective of the basics in life.

Without realising it, arrogance may creep into the way we talk and conduct ourselves. Success brings with it the risk of making us feel that ‘I did it’. Not handled well, success can make us lose sight of all those who contributed to our success.

The biggest blessing of our success is not the success itself, but the good we can do with it. But the charm of success is so high that we risk losing the higher purpose in our endeavour, and may forget to include others in our prosperity. Not handled well, we can mistake success as the goal rather than the means of making a real difference to people.

A good boatman knows that it is not just his efforts, but the wind behind him that often takes him far. No matter how good and strong the tailwind is, a good boatman is always alert, never losing grip of the wheel and rudder. From experience, we know that winds change. Today’s successful streak could well change quickly, circumstances beyond our control. But we will only be able to handle ourselves effectively when times are tough if we have been mindful in handling success.

(Picture-Caux, Switzerland)