In this 7-part series, I am going to give you some things to
think about, things you need to answer and know for yourself. No, this is not going to be a series on how
to become successful. Not only is it not
for me to share with you, it is not what this is all about. This is all about you and what you perceive
success to be.
Ask yourself this question: what is success to me? Define your answer and then write it down in
a very clear and specific measure. There
is not a right or wrong for this exercise, there is only your answer and your own
understanding of the term itself.
The word success is thrown around so often today in our
culture, I think all of us have become a little numb to it. It does not seem to have the impact it once
did. Becoming successful is something
only a few people achieve and it is not because there is only room for a select
few. What are some of the words you
would use to describe success? Write
those down and write down any thoughts that follow. You may be surprised what stirs up inside you
while doing this.
I think the most common visual picture that Americans
associate with success is having an abundance of things. Cars, homes, boats and RV’s, maybe even fine
jewelry, or taking extravagant vacations.
If this were actually true, does that mean everyone who has things like
this is successful? What about the
person who works at a job 40 -50 hrs a week, makes 150k a year and chooses to
finance everything he owns. Thus on the
outside, he might look like a millionaire, but is he? Sure he makes an above average income, but is
he really successful? If the lottery
winner only had to buy the winning lottery ticket worth 2 million dollars, does
that make him or her successful?
You will answer these questions I just posed by the way you
think and what you believe to be true.
Interestingly enough, not everyone will answer these questions the same,
simply because one’s perception and belief of what success is, will be
different. Sure, on the outside, having
all those nice things sounds fantastic and perhaps to an extent, it is. To a degree, life can be more pleasant when
you have things to share and enjoy with others.
But by owning those things, are you automatically
successful?
If so, what about the business owner who has been in
business for many years, does very well, employs dozens or hundreds of people,
but chooses to live a very frugal lifestyle?
Is he then not a success because he chooses to not “show” everyone how
much money he has by the things he owns?
I personally know several individuals just like this. They have considerably more money than anyone
would ever know, yet drive modest cars and live in an older, modest home. Are they a success?
What about those people who do not make an above-average
income and do not have a lot of material possessions, but are leaders,
achievers and highly regarded at their craft or business? Are they a model of success? This question of success demands to be
answered in its entirety.
This takes us back to the start again: What is success to you? If you have not answered this question yet
for yourself, in written detail, the rest of what I am going to share with you
over the next 6 weeks will probably not have the awakening on you that you need,
and I fear you may miss the bigger picture.
I have heard it said and have read that: success is the progressive realization of a
worthy ideal.
A worthy ideal?
That’s different because from what I see, that is not what most people
call success. Maybe we better dig a
little deeper into this next week as this may not be crystal clear yet.
Have a great weekend everyone,
clarify what success is for your self, and be blessed.
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