Being Successful

For a moment lets think of what success really is.  It is not about winning or losing or attaining objects that we think may or may not represent success.  To first understand what success really is we need to take away what other people think success is and what they think success for you is.

It is totally about what you define as success for you.   For me success is happiness.  I know many people will disagree but I tell you now that the person who is happy every day of their life and is grateful for what they have is the most successful person in the room.

In its purest form success is the achievement of what you would love in your life.  The road to success is simply making steps towards attaining these goals.  In fact, the moment you get up in the morning and make progress towards your desired goals this action makes you a successful person.

Regardless of what you learn (mistakes included) the fact you are taking action is a very positive thing – in my mind, this is also Success, in fact maybe this is what success is really all about.

Yes, achievements that give you a great high like winning the trophy or being recognised with a reward at work by your peers is great, but true success is more constant than those moments others see us in.

The simple act of writing will help you achieve success, use this skill to set a course you can follow and strive to achieve (which includes wins and losses) enables your daily success. As you write you will start to notice more things about you, your relationships, and environment.  The truly successful will not let these determine what success for them is, however they will use this understanding to learn and design the course they wish to follow. I use mindmaps and you may find these helpful too.

I use mindmaps to help set my personal course and you may find these helpful too.

Maslow’s theory I feel is a great indicator for what success for all of us might be.

Success Step 1 – Basic Needs (Physiological Needs – Food, Water, Warmth & Rest) along with (Safety – Security & Safety)

Success Step 2 – Psychological Needs (Belongingness and Love needs – intimate relationships and friends) along with (Esteem needs – prestige and feeling of accomplishment)

Success Step 3 – Self-Fulfillment needs (Self-actualisation – achieving one’s full potential including creative activities).

My only proviso is that for Success Step 3 achieving your full potential is the goal you will always have to chase, until your final day.

I would also hope that you look at what ‘Values’ are important to you and when you find values that you would like to strive to live by you use these to guide you through life.  Without values, again written down and passionately followed you may never truly set the right course.

Finally – Become successful by building a great life, without hurting or affecting others whether it is in humble surroundings or something more, with a smile in your heart pursuing exactly what YOU want while loving what you have – and you my friend are among the most successful people on the planet.