Some times as human beings we are very hard on ourselves when it comes to being successful. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who chose to be a failure in life. However, our measurements to what success is can be both overbearing and at times a little superficial. We measure success by having reached the final point on the journey, accomplishing the ultimate mark. You don’t want to dismiss all of the steps and obstacles you’ve overcome to get to that final point, because each time you progress to the next step that brings you closer to your ultimate goal, you are indeed being successful.
Some one asked me one day, “what is success to you?” I answered saying “success is progress, as long as you are progressing in life, you are being successful”. If you are over coming barriers and progressing financially, economically, educationally, spiritually, emotionally, etc. , than you are being successful because you are accomplishing advancement. Success is not only a state of fame or wealth, it’s also the process of achieving a step by step plan of action to reach your goal or ambition.
When you are developing yourself in all of the areas mentioned above you are progressing toward a greater goal. You’re gradually making strides toward being more successful than your current state of life. Don’t judge yourself or feel discourage because you haven’t completed your plan to be successful, instead praise yourself for completing the steps and progress you have accomplished while executing that plan.
Remember, Ben Sweetland said “success is a journey, not a destination”. Be confident in yourself and know that you are being successful everyday of your life so as long as you’re constantly growing, learning, and defining the next step in your journey to a more successful life. It's a ladder worth climbing.
How many of you are feeling successful today?
From My Thoughts To Yours.
Quite an interesting read I must say. I love how you present success as a process versus a stage.
Posted by: Art by Ideity | March 8, 2010 at 02:13 PM
It's something I realized years ago, don't beat yourself for up not being there yet, but be happy that you are closer to it.
Posted by: His Majesty's Favorite | March 9, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Great. I have thought and said this for years. Unfortunately, we live in a society that measures success by attention and money. In the age of social media, the love of attention is more dangerous than the love of money. In a society that worships celebrity, the love of fame is more dangerous that the love of money. Still, above all, the premise that success is only a bank account with lots of attention is disturbing.
Kids no longer want to be doctors. They want to be on American Idol and be famous even moreso than rich.
I agree with your words and hope that more people set goals for themselves that can provide long term satisfaction. Because beyond the lights and glitz, many people find that the attention and fame is not satisfying to them and plummet from grace with a hard fall.
To me, success is freedom. And freedom to me is doing anything I am passionate about and exciting the passion in others.
Posted by: Trudy (windmill perception) | March 9, 2010 at 03:20 PM
I like this post! I know I struggle with my definition of success, but I like the idea of thinking of myself as being successful where I am--right now. I'm going to start doing that; thanks for this!
Posted by: Jamie | March 10, 2010 at 03:26 PM
@Trudy, in this society people love fame because they see at as success. However, every celebrity isn't famous. Fame is define as highly honored. Sometimes individuals assumes A=B, when clearly being a celebrity doesn't mean you are famous, you are just widely known.
@Jamie, remember this, "You may not be where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be either."
Posted by: His Majesty's Favorite | March 10, 2010 at 09:33 PM