Success is how you define it, but how can you define success? Is success reaching a goal or is it something more?
Technically, defining success is effortless. When you look it up in the dictionary it states it’s “the achievement of something planned or desired.” Got it? End of story? Not quite.
Who cares what the dictionary says... what is your definition of success? Before you can have success, you have to define what success means to you. Unless you’ve a clear vision of what success is to you, you can't work toward it.
Success means something different to everyone. For some individuals, financial reward is a measure of success. Others have several definitions of success; they measure it across a number of areas: career, health, spiritual, emotional, time, or financial. As an example, one can achieve success in one’s career but not emotionally.
To obtain your definition of success, you must dig deep within yourself and reflect your values in life. Can you identify your strengths and weaknesses? What are the ones that are vital to you? By answering these questions you may then come closer to your own personal definition of success. Bear in mind that this may be an extended process. You might not get the answers so quickly, but that’s alright. Define your measure of success, one element at a time.
Let’s take your career just as one example. What would your definition of success be for your career? If you are an insurance agent, is it achieving the next highest level of contract? As an SGA, is it financial prosperity and security? What is success to a Public Relations Specialist? Dig deep inside yourself to determine your personal strengths and weaknesses. Which would help you achieve success? Which of the weaknesses is a barrier, and does it go against your values?
To me, I value time with my family, however, my work requires me to work many nights and weekends. I need to adjust my own definition success and judge which should take priority.
When defining your success, remember this key thing: success is really a journey. Success has multiple peaks and never one ultimate pinnacle. One success builds on another. Setbacks and mistakes will help you build success. At different periods of your life, success is defined differently. In your career, your success could be defined by exceeding your job requirements or obtaining a promotion or a specific income level.
Among my definitions of success in my career at this point often is the number of people on my team that I mentor to higher levels within the Company. Once they achieve a specific amount of skill and knowledge and are respected by you, I have achieved a major amount of success so far as my own career is concerned.
It’s kind of intense, but examines how Ralph Waldo Emerson defines success:
“The definition of success - To laugh much, to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded.”
Now I’ve to admit that I’ve heard of Ralph Waldo Emerson. But I do not know much about him, and of course have not read a ton of his stuff. But Ralph’s definition... I couldn’t trust more. Good job, Ralph!
In any event, you'll see success is actually in the eye of the beholder. It takes on both short-term and long-term achievements and can be significant or even insignificant. But it’s what you are making it to be. Set a goal, achieve a goal... and be successful!
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