01
Sep
What does success look like for you?
By: Ray Montie
Success is a state or condition of achieving a defined set of goals. In business, success is usually defined as the ability to make a profit. It can be described as the opposite of failure. Success standards are subjective and dependent on an individual’s attitude or perception.
Success in business can be thought of in many different ways. For example, to define success one might use the example of Ambit Energy, a successful company based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Google is another search engine. To most observers, Google is a successful company because of its search engine positioning. Google’s success has been attributed to its reputation as a provider of free content and the innovation it displays in its endeavors to do so.
Others and businesses have different views of successful people. People believe that success is someone who takes the time to achieve their goals and has the willpower to succeed. These traits are not only due to their ability to see the future and plan for it, but also because of how they set them. They knew exactly what they desired and had a plan to achieve it.
Although success can be defined by many factors, people often attach too much importance to personal characteristics. It would be a good and bad trait to show courage when trying something new. However, when I set goals for myself I consider it a personal failure if I am not able to achieve them. Failure does not necessarily mean I am incapable of accomplishing my goals. In fact, I quite proudly know that I have achieved most of my goals by placing my goals before myself rather than after they have been reached.
When we ask the question of what does success mean to us, it helps to bring clarity and simplicity back into our lives. Different people define success differently. For some it is finding fulfilling relationships, while others define success as wealth and having the ability to purchase the things they desire. Some people still want to make a difference in the world. Others feel they can achieve their long-term and short-term goals. Others still want to make the world better.
Everyone is searching for something different in their lives. What it means to you may mean nothing to someone else. The success of any endeavor is not dependent on one thing. Success can be found based on one’s personality, educational background, interests, skills, accomplishments, and talents. No matter what it is that you are passionate about, you can develop the skills, strategies, systems and habits that will get you from point A to point B – but you will never be successful unless you have defined what success means to you.
So, if we are going to talk about what does success mean? To each individual it will be different, but for many of us it includes financial freedom, a fulfilling and meaningful career, good health, plenty of family and friends, good status, an enjoyable travel experience, peace and harmony in one’s life, satisfaction with life, no restrictions, no goals to meet, no deadlines to beat, no need to rush, no limitations and no fear. These are all areas that need to be addressed. Of course, there are always other factors that come into play as well. You must assess your own success and define what it means for you.
Success could be defined differently for each person. Because everyone is different, success will be experienced in a unique way. For example, while some people may focus on financial security as their number one goal, others might look at health as their main motivator. As you can see, there are many ways that you could define success. The important thing is that you identify what it is that you want out of life.