suc·cess
/səkˈses/
noun
- the attainment of popularity or profit.
- a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity.
Success means different things to different people. Success can mean achieving your goals. It might mean the attainment of wealth. It might even mean living a life you can be proud of in hindsight. Whatever your definition of success is, it is paramount to finding your own defintion of success in your life.
Success cannot be defined by a singular definition. The late Zig Ziglar was an expert on success and motivation. He stated that success should be defined by a myriad of things. There is no all-encompassing definition of success. You are only competing against your own definition and potential.
In this guide, we will provide ways on how you can define your own success. Use this guide to write your own narrative. Stop letting other people define your success. Define your own success story on your own terms.
10 Ways to Define Your Success
Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
- John Wooden
1. Success is always trying your best.
Put your mind to the task at hand. Don't do anything half-heartedly. Fully commit to doing everything to the best of your abilities. You will find that simply by trying your best, you will find favorable outcomes more often than not.
2. Success is setting the right goals.
Goal-setting is a powerful tool used by successful people to create favorable or prosperous outcomes. A study from Harvard Business School found that people who write down their goals earn 10x more than their classmates. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to take action towards making your dreams a reality.
3. Success is about belief.
To have success, you need to believe you can achieve it. Where the mind goes, energy flows. What you believe can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you tell yourself you will do it, you will begin taking action to achieve your goals.
4. Success is working with passion.
Finding the intersection of hard work and passion leads to success. When you are excited, it brings energy to what you are doing. If you are happy at work, it leads to high productivity and a greater sense of purpose.
5. Success is taking care of your needs.
Just like being on an airplane, you should always "put your oxygen mask on first" before helping others. If you don't take care of your own needs, you will not be able to provide value to others. Successful people have their basic physical and emotional needs are taken care of.
6. Success is saying no to distractions.
Saying no is more important than saying yes. If you want to get focused, start saying no to distractions that pull you away from your goals. Know your priorities. Put 100% of your attention on becoming great.
7. Success is overcoming your worst fears.
As human beings, we are driven as much by love as we are by fear. When we overcome fear with flying colors, we are able to find roaring success on the other side. Whether our definition of success is wealth, respect, or fame, etc., we need to overcome our worst fears to find complete success.
8. Success is continuous learning.
Learning to learn is the most important skill you can ever develop. It's a major success factor for people who accomplish their goals. Being adaptable and learning to overcome obstacles gives you the keys to success.
9. Success is perserverance.
Life is not always easy. It's full of road-bumps and obstacles. If you give up when things get hard, you'll never be able to see success on the other side. The ability to adapt and persevere is a massive determining factor for success.
10. Success is never making excuses.
Most people make excuses for their failures. They don't want to take accountability for their mistakes. This is a recipe for disaster. Only from learning from your mistakes can you improve and get better. It's okay to fail in the short-term (everyone does). But you have no excuse to continuing failing in the same manner in the long-term.
Finding Your Success
Successful people define success on their own terms. They never let other people define it for them. Creating your own definition of success is the first step to fulfillment. You will only be happy when you succeed on your own terms. Find where your passions and skills intersect. Set goals to turn your dreams to your reality. Ultimately, you are accountable to yourself for the kind of life you live. Take the first step today to lay out the framework for the rest of your life. You deserve to live an extraordinary life, on your own terms.
All Success Articles
Here is a complete list of articles I have written on success. Enjoy!