While pondering what is to come in 2008 and looking forward to new endeavors with some excitement, I was taken back to an article I had recently read by Paul Johnson (Forbes, Dec 2007) who chose to pontificate, in a succinct manner, the relationship between our quest for success and true happiness. Rather than belaboring the usual "money can't buy happiness" mantra he choose a different path reminding us that without the pursuit of success by ambitious people the world would be a much less interesting and poorer place. Still, "the pursuit of success" he says, "is not enough." Mr. Johnson goes on to suggest how the pursuit of success combined with more altruistic pursuits should be our guide. His recommendations, which I hope we will all keep in mind throughout our pursuits in the New Year were as follows, and I am paraphrasing (for the most part):

- "Try to combine the pursuit of wealth with creativity." Bits of paper and moving things around might make you rich but creating or building something (a new business for example) is more conducive to happiness.
- "A successful man is likely to find happiness in producing something useful, delightful or beautiful." So write that book. It can be a tremendous source of happiness to create something entirely new, useful and within reach of the masses.
- "Create happiness and satisfaction by creating jobs." Don't just create paid positions but useful, productive and contributory jobs that justify themselves and have a true purpose. Doing so will provide you not only with personal satisfaction and likely wealth, but with the gratitude, spoken or unspoken, of those whom you lead and of the community you render more prosperous and secure.
- Create jobs that are aligned and consistent with the needs of our fellow men and women. "Not just their material needs but their emotional and spiritual needs." It might seem difficult or ambiguous but as Mr. Johnson reminds us, "the pursuit of happiness is a very ambitious undertaking."

Mr. Johnson goes on to clarify that he is not suggesting business people pursue only moral aims as that would likely fail, but we should ensure that whatever we do is now, and continues to be, compatible with morality. So rather than pursuing wealth, fame, success, or other material ambitions for their own sake, root them in creativity, morality and a higher sense of purpose. Doing so will enable you will realize not only your dreams but happiness as well.

To a happy and prosperous 2008.

- Scott