Have You Ever Really Defined What Success Looks Like for You?
To be clear, I am not referring to success in a specific thing.
It’s easy to create parameters for success in a specific thing. Although when you do create those measuring sticks, make sure they are YOUR measuring sticks, that include what is most important to you in the area of the pursuit.
What I am talking about here is the bigger picture. What does success in life looks like to you. This is where it gets interesting…
Here’s An Example to Consider for a Second…
Let’s say that your friend Bob has built a hugely successful business and makes a lot of money. Would you consider him successful? My guess is you probably would.
What if you found out that Bob had engaged in criminal activities to build his business. Would you still consider him successful?
Now, let’s say that Bob did it by good old fashion hard work and is an honest upstanding guy. He’s built this business and has lots of money. BUT…he has neglected his health and at 51 years old has substantial health problems that are going to shorten his life and greatly reduce the quality of his life right now. In addition, Bob, is estranged from his family because he spent very little time with them while he was becoming “successful.”
Now, I ask you…is Bob a success?
How you respond to that is based on your values. And is also based on Bob’s values. If Bob is absolutely happy as a clam and totally fulfilled in his current scenario, then he is likely a success. But I would be willing to bet that’s not the case.
Success in Life is Way Bigger Than Producing Results in One Thing
I’m just one guy and this is my opinion…and also my observation having mentored and worked with many many people in my career. If you don’t look at success in a big picture all-encompassing way, you will get sucked into the black hole of identifying with one thing at the expense of other things that are of equal or greater importance.
I know a lot of people who have achieved high positions who are miserable. I know rich people whose lives you wouldn’t want for all the tea in China. The key to success in life is being true to what is really important to YOU, while becoming the best version of you possible, and making a contribution to the betterment of the world in the way you can.
This is where it gets fuzzy for people because there is so much societal pressure to live up to imagey stuff. You have people running around all over the place who think they are better than others because they have accomplished something in one area…no one is better than anyone else. NO. ONE.
We are all different. You have to live your life. What inspired this article is two separate conversations in the past few days. One I speak about in the video and the other is a prime example.
An awesome woman who is quite accomplished in several areas of her life, is rich with relationships, including family and children, is making a significant impact in her efforts with others, is highly personally developed and physically fit, and is magnetic in her countenance. Yet…
She was struggling because she did not see herself as a success, because of one thing she is working on (and doing so successfully by the way) that is a sideline for her, and others who have been engaged in this same activity are farther along.
This is an example of falling into defining self through the lens of others. You simply have to ignore what others are doing…that has nothing to do with you.
I define success simply….thriving in all the areas that matter, developing yourself continuously, and making a contribution to others, while living the life YOU WANT to live. So for me that is health(all aspects), Love relationships, excellent business and community relationships, income that is derived through serving others ot help them grow and develop and achieve their best life possible, lots of fun,lots of fulfillment, and a few other things.
How about you? How will you define it? Make sure you do it based on what you value, believe, want, and love…never give in to someone else’s definition…you will never live your best life if you are climbing a ladder that is leaning against the wrong building!
Watch the video…there’s a powerful story in there and more insights that are totally separate from the article.
Was This helpful for you? feel Free to share it with others.
Many Blessings,
Todd
P.S. Have you ever considered having a coach? If you are considering one to help you make progress towards your goals, help you see the forest for the trees, and guide you on the path to success, reach out to me and let’s talk. If you need a health coach, I have an excellent resource I can share with you.
Live Training and other tips at Todd’s Fan Page
