Unlocking the True Meaning of Success

Everybody’s definition of success is different. Some folks crave wealth, power, and status while others yearn for deep-seated relationships. Some people collect things while others collect memories. Some folks strive to be the best while others must know that they tried their best. How do you define the true meaning of success?

Do you define success as having more or being more?

While it’s hard to define the meaning of success, it’s easy to say what it’s not. Some people are toxic. They’re egotistical, greedy, and mean-spirited — they’ll do anything to get what they want. No success there. Other folks are destructive. They’re sneaky, dishonest, and lazy — they rarely pull their weight and expect others to bear the burden. (Ugh.)

How Do You Define Success for Yourself?

One reason success is hard to define is because we let others define it for us rather than determine it for ourselves. For example, family, friends, and colleagues may define success one way, while society at large defines it another.

If you could wave a magic wand and determine your fate, which five factors would be paramount in defining success for you — and which five would be negligible?

Accumulate wealth, power, and status.
Compare favorably with others.
Maintain strong relationships.
Parent well-adjusted kids.
Leave a legacy.
Believe in yourself.
Have time to do what you love.
Serve God.
Find inner peace.
Achieve a flourishing career.
Have strong family ties.
Make a difference.
Achieve success with honor and integrity.
Create many special memories.
Leave the world a better place.
Live life with a purpose.

You may be thinking that all these things are important. But what happens when choices must be made?

Ask yourself:

What was your rationale for selecting the five most/least important factors?
How does your response compare to reality?
What steps must you take to make your aspirations come true?

You Are What You Repeatedly Do

You are faced with choices every day. You can invest in your future or live it up today, accumulate possessions or give your life meaning, count on yourself or become dependent on others, make a difference in someone’s life or focus on more ways to better your own. The fact is that you have the freedom to choose, but you’re not free from the consequences of those choices.

Your life is determined by the sum of the choices that you make.

There is no doubt that you can achieve anything or become whoever you want to be. It not only takes effort and dedication, but there are serious trade-offs in the process. So, determine your priorities carefully, and do what matters most. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Be careful what you strive for. Success doesn’t always lead to happiness. Your future will be determined more by choice than by chance.

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