Word of the day: Advancement
What does it mean to you? I have discovered that defining this word can help you define the rest of your life.

Advancement: Reaching the highest point possible in your office.
Advancement: Making as much money as possible.
Advancement: Being in charge of lots of people and being able to make them do what you want.
Advancement: Becoming comfortable with who you are and what you can do.

Too many of us put our "advancement" in the hands of somebody else. That's the way I've been doing it for the last 17 years. I've "advanced" a lot without actually moving forward. I ask somebody, "Am I good enough?" and hope they say yes. More often than not, they have. As a result, I make a lot of money for somebody of my limited education and skill, and I get to live where I want.

True advancement is when you're turning the wheels yourself. Yeah, that's not always the most financially rewarding way to advance. But in a world where everything really means nothing, the only true measure of success should be how happy you are with what you've accomplished.

I've become more convinced that being happy is not actually anybody's default mode. Being happy takes work and skill, just as much as anything else. It's OK if what made you happy five years ago doesn't make you happy now. It's OK to turn your back on things that used to make you happy to go find new things that make you happy.

I know a couple of you are contemplating radical changes to your lives. To y'all I say: Go.

More of us should. Maybe soon, more of us will.