This blog post is from my good friend and mentor Jason Merson….and MAN DO I HOPE YOU TAKE THIS TO HEART AND SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
It’s interesting to hear the responses that are given from people when asked this question. We all have varying opinions about what success really looks like in a person’s life. If we are honest with each other, most of us will gauge another’s success by the material things they possess or the power they may have in whatever career or business they’ve chosen. This is a natural response when seen through the eyes of how “The World” views things. In a world of stardom and fame and the influence of what the media portrays as what really matters in life, we often get a very skewed view of what success should look like.
I make an effort to read several books a year on various topics relating to personal development. There are usually a few golden nuggets in every book that are worth keeping and reading again and again. One of the very first books I ever read on personal development was a book written by Zig Ziglar several years ago called “Over The Top.” In his book he provided a list of 14 things to help someone know when they have made it to the top and are successful. This list is worth hanging on your wall.
- You have made friends with your past, and you are focused on the present and optimistic about your future.
- You have the love of friends and the respect of your enemies.
- You are filled with hope, and love, and you live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge.
- You know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong.
- You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.
- You love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless, and encouragement to the discouraged.
- You know that success (a win) doesn’t make you, and failure (a loss) doesn’t break you.
- You can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion, and up with gratitude.
- You are secure in who (and whose) you are so you are at peace with God and in fellowship with man.
- You clearly understand that yesterday ended last night, that today is a brand-new day–and it’s yours.
- You know that “he who would be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.”
- You are pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude, and generous to the needy because you know that the long-term benefits of giving and forgiving far outweigh the short-term benefits of receiving.
- You recognize, confess, develop, and use your God-given physical, mental, and spiritual abilities to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind.
- You stand in front of the Creator of the universe, and He says to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Now there’s a list that depicts a meaningful picture of true success in life!!
