This article was first published on SuccessNet.org in 1996.
Almost everyone will tell you that they want to be a success. It’s a rare individual who will say they don’t want to succeed. But studies show that fewer than ten percent of North Americans consider themselves to be successful.
Less than ten percent! Only three percent say that they feel truly successful. It’s interesting that ten out of a hundred people have clearly defined goals and about three have written their goals down. Wonder if there’s any correlation? But why is there such a discrepancy between those who want to succeed and those who feel that they’re unsuccessful?
First of all, success isn’t easy. That is, unless you’re just talking about successfully taking up space on the planet. One reason so few people consider themselves successful is that success is so misunderstood and poorly defined that it’s difficult to tell whether we are successful or not. How would we know?
The dictionary defines success as a favorable result, wished-for ending; good fortune. Doesn’t quite get the job done, does it?
Paul J. Meyer, the founder of Success Motivation Institute, says “Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile, predetermined personal goals.” Let’s take a close look at this definition because I think it’s a good one.
Progressive means ongoing—dynamic. It describes action. This lends some weight to the cliché‚ that success is a journey rather than a destination. Meyer believed that you must be in the process of achieving. This puts the emphasis on being in the game and not having already achieved the goal. It also implies that just because you’ve been successful at something, doesn’t mean you can just sit back and rest on your laurels.
Predetermined: The guy who receives a windfall fortune hardly is a success under this definition. Perhaps that’s why so many instant millionaires—like lottery winners—lose their fortunes quickly. Jim Rohn said that if you win a million dollars, you had better become a millionaire quickly in order that you get to keep it. Well said. Our goals must be determined in advance. Can you imagine Lee Ioccoca, when asked how he got to the top of Chrysler Corp., saying, “Gosh, I don’t know. I didn’t really seek it out. I just kept showing up for work every day and here I am.” No, it takes a plan.
Our goals must be personal. They must be our own. So often, we attempt to accomplish what others want us to achieve. Our goals are often things our parents told us to go after. Our goals become things we should do instead of labors of love. Trying to achieve someone else’s goals causes us to be uninspired and live out of obligation. It leaves us empty and tired. When we seek out our own objectives—something we feel passionate about—we have an abundance of energy. Our spirit soars and we, as well as those around us, experience more joy. We’re in sync with our lives. We feel successful. And we are.
Goals must also be worthwhile. Worthwhile to whom? To you. You get to decide. It’s your life. If your aim in life is to study and contemplate the great spiritual mysteries of the universe, that’s great. If it’s to be the first woman on Mars (okay, Venus), then more power to you. As long as your goals are in keeping with your values and don’t hurt anything or anybody, you’ll achieve success.
Success means different things to different people because we’re, well, different. The definition we’ve just discussed is hardly the last word on success. But I hope it’s caused you to think about your own success and become more clear about what success means to you.
Recommended Reading
Best Life Book Series
The path to your best life is through your Compelling Core Values, your Empowering Purpose, your Meaningful Mission, your Vital Vision and your Solid Goals. And this series has a book for each of them. Pick out individual ones or get the whole series.
