Being Genuinely Happy for Others' Success

December 26, 2023

When you see someone celebrating a success or accomplishment on socials, etc., what do you feel?

Do you immediately feel genuinely happy for that person, even if you don’t know them that well? What about when it’s someone from your past personal or professional life, especially if the dealings with that individual were not great?

You know the feeling when you see their fancy new house, new job, car, relationship, etc. and you think, “well that must be nice”. Or for us guys, it may be when we see the new 4x4 truck, boat, promotion or new business, etc. Are you genuinely happy for that person? If not, why not?

It can be very easy to give the appearance of being happy for someone by “liking” their social post, etc. But being genuinely happy for that success, without negative reservation or strings, isn’t always easy.

How we perceive someone’s success can be influenced by many factors and depending on where you are in your personal and/or professional life and career plays a huge role in how you view others’ success.

If “they” seem to be further along than you, or have accomplished more than you, it can be very easy to be cynical (or even jealous to some degree) about someone’s success, especially those we may consider a competitive friend-colleague or more. But their success really has nothing to do with you or me.

A Game Changer

This year, I experienced a game changer that has truly helped me reposition my mindset on being genuinely happy for others’ success. Honestly, I already knew this concept but didn’t practice it consistently.  

It’s a simple concept - Practice Being Genuinely Happy for the Success of Others 

How do you do this?

So how do you do this? You give the applause.

You start by releasing a “true” (not fake) compliment and celebrating (applause) that success for that person.  

It’s like the applause at the end of a concert. At the end of a concert, you typically don’t withhold applause, you applaud. And if it’s one of your favorite artists (like Reba, Dolly, Trisha, etc.) you applaud really loud, yell, and holler. You don’t sit there with your arms folded and sulked up. Now wouldn’t that look odd. The same concept applies in all aspects of our life. (I think you get the point)

By celebrating the success of the moment, you suddenly become a part of the moment on this journey called Life.

Now you may say, “well what about someone that you are not as fond of, etc.”? Condition yourself to practice the same principle. By conditioning yourself to release the compliment and celebrate their success (applause) it will transform something within you.

Does this take consistent practice? YES, IT DOES.

Over the holidays, when I have seen someone posting an accomplishment on socials, etc., I made a point to congratulate them and it didn't cost me a thing. I made myself take the time to write a congratulations on their post.

I’m no expert by any means in this area but when you shift your mindset and become genuinely happy for other’s success (regardless of the past or present) it is truly a freeing experience. 

I can guarantee if you practice this concept consistently, it will change your perspective on your happiness and life.

Tips for creating a lifestyle of being genuinely happy for the success of others:

1. Be Happy for Others- Their success has nothing to do with me or you so just be happy for them. It cost you nothing.

2. Force Yourself to Compliment- just release the compliment (and mean it), it will free you. A compliment is just that (period). It doesn’t come with strings. You can’t compliment today and complain tomorrow.

3. Celebrate Their Success- If you know them, outwardly celebrate their success by congratulating them, etc. If do know them well and are just connected on socials, leave a congratulatory message (It’s the applause.)

So, remember to motivate someone is a positive way today, seek out opportunities to genuinely compliment and celebrate, become happy for their success and start living your BestLife. 

I’m Jason Thrasher and this is BestLife50.