Create Your Definition of Success

“The dictionary is the only place you’ll find Success before Work.” ~ My High School Locker Room

Are you successful? Are you living a successful life? What does ‘success’ mean anyway? I looked it up in the dictionary and I can assure you, it is quite boring and unoriginal for being such a powerful word. If you ask people to define success for you, do you think you will find it to be consistent? I think not. Success can be defined differently in every activity, situation, or circumstance – so how will the dictionary definition suffice?

A successful business could be defined as one that is financially secure, increasing profits, selling a desired product or service, has a healthy atmosphere and great personnel.

A successful project could be defined as one that fulfills all requirements, completed with great quality and finished before the deadline.

A successful manager could be defined as one that is admired by staff, favored by upper management, completes department goals, handles the budget effectively, and pulls out the best from his employees.

Yet, how does one define a successful life?

We are all thrown into this world in different situations and circumstances. We all will not achieve the same things or even want the same things. So how can we agree on a definition for a successful life? We don’t, and we can’t.

Equation for Success

If you do a search for ‘Equation for Success’ you will discover millions of results. And not surprisingly, most of them are poles apart. Success can be expressed differently in any area of life, for example: work success, relationship success, health success, and of course life success. What is your equation for success?

My definition of living successfully looks something like this:

Success is met when:

• Needs: My survival needs are met (food, shelter, safety, belonging)
• Love: I feel loved, and can give love freely.
• Passion: I am passionate towards everything I do.
• Growth: I live a life of continuous improvement and can encourage others to do the same.

Notice that all these items can fluctuate during different times in my life. I believe that success is never reached, but we can strive to live a successful life continuously. Additionally, I didn’t mention happiness in my equation because my happiness is fulfilled by living a successful life (and my decision to be happy). I ask myself, am I living successfully right now?

My equation for acquiring success:

If you continuously develop yourself, focus on your strengths, work hard, and align these with your passions… success can’t hide for long!! If you follow this equation, and incorporate this with belief in yourself, follow through with action, and be disciplined… you’ll be unstoppable!

Even Albert Einstein had his own equation for success:

If A equals success, then the formula is A=X+Y+Z. Where X is work, Y is play, and Z is keep your mouth shut.

Make your own and see what you come up with!

Attracting Success

“Success is something you attract by the person you become.” ~ Jim Rohn

This quote has had a very powerful impact on me. I internalize this expression and believe I can focus on my own personal development, master my strengths, improve my weaknesses, follow my passions, live admirably and the rest will fall into place!

For me, this takes away my fear of being viewed as successful by the world and pushes me to be the best ME I can be. As I become the person I desire to be, success will not just find its way through the maze, but will jump over the maze to find me!

Success Requires Work

Yes, we can attract success and it sounds easy when expressed this way, but becoming the person who attracts success, is not. Success takes hard work, and if you don’t take responsibility for the tools you have at your disposal, success isn’t going to be waiting up for you.

Do you think John Travolta has to fight for a part in a movie? Of course not, directors will call him because of the hard work and talent he used and developed to get there.

Sharpen your tools everyday and make sure you are ready for when opportunities are knocking at your door.

Failure

“Failure is a success if we learn from it.” ~ Malcolm Forbes

Your success will often be determined by how you respond to failure. Do you take every failure as an opportunity for growth? Or do you fear failure?

When we give into the fear of failure, we refuse to try something new when risk is involved. George Edward Woodberry puts it perfectly when he said:

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.

Your Task

What is your equation for success? What is your definition for success? Create your own equation for success and then define it!

Success takes time, be patient. Use your definition of success to light your way and encourage you when the going gets tough!

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ~ Thomas Edison