Defining success

What is success? Where do we gain our definition of success from? Who or what determines our level of success?

I think the question, how do we define success, is an important one. We live in a world where many of the beliefs and thoughts are skewed and need major adjusting. It is important not to let the world tell you how to define success and whether or not you fit this mould.

Society and the world say success is measured by financial worth and power. Do you drive a fancy car and live in a big home? One of the many problems with this is it often leads people to live well above their means and creates a life of debt and bondage. Another problem is that we can never truly gain any real sense of satisfaction form these material possessions. I am not saying they aren’t nice to have and that we cannot hope to have material things. But success and satisfaction are not defined by and do not inherently come from material possessions. Maybe to some this may be your definition of success, and that is fine, as long as you are happy.

I think the definition of success is different for each one of us. We need to realise that we don’t have to define our sense of worth and success based on other people’s views. We need to find our own sense of success and satisfaction. To some it may be following your calling in life, such as moulding young minds through teaching or helping someone find their dream home. We need to be kind to ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt.

We also need to stop judging others success and their feelings of success based on our own definition of success. We need to exercise non-judgement and begin to see success taking the shape of many forms other than purely from accolades or financial gain.

It is also common practice that each time we begin to reach our goals and ‘achieve’ success we just move the goal posts and change our benchmark for success. We therefore often never achieve our own sense of success, satisfaction and happiness. We need to celebrate our successes and achievements no matter how small. We perform better when we are happy and have a positive outlook.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” – Napoleon Hill

We often think success means changing the world, and for some of us it may be just that. But success comes in many shapes and sizes. It may be helping out a stranger, raising a family, learning a new skill or just living your life as best you can. We don’t have to change the world to be successful.

I’m also aware of the other side of the spectrum when defining success. While we may at times view success as something difficult to achieve there are also times where we define success too easily at the detriment of not pushing ourselves further and growing. We need a healthy balance of wanting to grow ourselves but being kind towards ourselves and realising that we all are successful in some way.

“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” – Coach John Wooden.

Too often we do what we think the world needs or what the world defines success as being. People often choose occupations according to accolades or how much they can earn. I want to leave you with a quote from a book that I love called Wild at heart. I hope you find what makes you come alive.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Harold Whitman

Proverbs 3: 3-4 “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man.”