There is this one Sunday evening that I attended a youth gathering. The organizers had invited one of very successful Business people in this City and when I saw a post on my friend’s status, I couldn’t wait to attend because I admired this guy.
He gave a talk about values that one needs to achieve success. He talked about great things really: hardworking, determination, sacrifice among others. Then he opened up for questions and one lady asked him to define success.
He did something that I have hated over the years. Most people dodge the question of defining success or beat around the bush and say things like “you will know it when you see it”. Things like “success is what you call it or success is being happy” I really hate these answers.
Recently I re-read a book I had read sometime back. I loved the definition the author gives success. Today is 1st June, we are almost in the middle of the year and I think it is a good day to recommit yourself to pursuing success. I thought it is a great time for me to share with you this definition because it’s important to know clearly and exactly what you are pursing. I am a firm believer in the art of clarifying things, I believe for anyone to pursue something worthy of efforts, time and other investment, he/she needs to first clearly define that which he/she want to achieve. Clearly defined I mean without ambiguity or political correctness.
In his book THE MAGIC OF THINKING BIG, author David J. Schwartz defines success as;
Success is Personal Prosperity: Having a fine house, a fine car, ability to have vacations and travel, giving your wife and children maximum advantages. Success is Winning Admiration: being looked up to for help and guidance, being respected, being able to do enough for those who depend on you. Success is freedom from worries of lack and poverty, continually finding real happiness and satisfaction from life as well was having great relationships. (Paraphrased)
To me this is a realistic, not hypocritical or ambiguous definition of success. When I see someone that has this, to me he/she is successful. What is success to you? share with us in the comments.
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