Success and Ralph

Technically, defining success is simple. When you look it up in the dictionary it pronounces it’s “the achievement of something planned or desired.” Got it? End of story? Not quite.

Who cares what the dictionary says... what is your definition of success? Before you can achieve success, you have to define what success means to you. Unless you’ve a clear vision of what success is to you, you can't work toward it.

Success means different things to everyone. For some people, financial reward is the measure of success. Others have multiple definitions of success; they measure it across a small number of areas: career, health, spiritual, emotional, time, or financial. For instance, one can be successful in one’s career but not emotionally.

To discover your own definition of success, you have to dig deep within yourself and question your values in life. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Can you identify the ones that are vital to you? By answering these questions you may then come closer to your personal definition of success. Be aware that this can be a long process. It's possible you'll not get the answers so quickly, but that’s alright. Define your measure of success, one element at a time.

Let’s take your career as an example. What would your definition of success be for your career? If you are an agent, is it achieving the next highest level of contract? As an SGA, is it financial prosperity and security? What’s success to a Public Relations Specialist? Dig deep inside yourself to determine your personal strengths and weaknesses. Which would allow you to achieve success? Which of the weaknesses is a barrier, and does it go against your values?

To me, I value time with my family, however, my work requires me to work many nights and weekends. I need to adjust my own definition success and decide which would take priority.

When defining your success, remember this crucial thing: success is a journey. It has multiple peaks and never 1 ultimate pinnacle. One success builds on another. Setbacks and mistakes will help you build success. At different periods of your life, success is defined differently. In your career, your success might be defined by exceeding your post requirements or obtaining a promotion or a specific income level.

Among my definitions of success in my career at this time is the number of people on my team that I mentor to higher levels within the Company. When they achieve a specific level of skill and knowledge and are respected by you, I’ve achieved a significant quantity of success so far as my own career is conce
ed.

It’s sort of intense, but read how Ralph Waldo Emerson defines success:
“The definition of success - To laugh much, to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded.”

Now I have to admit that I have heard of Ralph Waldo Emerson. But I don’t know much about him, and for sure have not read a ton of his stuff. But Ralph’s definition... I could not agree with more. Good job, Ralph!
In any event, you'll see success is actually in the eye of the beholder. It takes on both short-term and long-term achievements and could be significant or even insignificant. But it’s what you make it to be. Set a goal, achieve a goal... and achieve success!