Success isn’t always about money—millions of dollars, fame—a storied name, or a king’s title—power.
What am I talking about?
Money, fame, and power aren’t fulfilling for most people. Money buys mansions and ritzy cars like Sweptail Rolls Royces. But money can’t buy joy or true love.
Happiness defines success, according to a 2014 Strayer University survey. The survey revealed 90 percent of Americans believe this to be the case.
No one is saying money isn’t important. It’s essential. Happy people need money too. But for some people, success is more about the Benjamins. And that’s okay for them. The money is tangible proof of their success.
For others, being happy, which is intangible, means success. But whether the evidence is tangible or intangible, success is personal.
I believe success is defined in the mind and heart of the achiever. You define your own success. And once you do, you can picture yourself achieving your goals. Others can’t spell out or paint your success. Only you can do that with faith, hard work, and perseverance.
If you asked 30 homemakers or home builders what is success. You will get 30 different, personal answers. There is no right or wrong definition of success.
Don’t wait for others to acknowledge your success. Celebrate your achievements even if you don’t receive a gold, silver, or bronze medal. If a medal-less achievement is a downer for you, I have a suggestion. Give yourself a medal.
In a marathon between 15 runners, there can be only 1 winner. But there can be 15 successes. If fourteen competitors also cross the finish line, they’re not losers. They succeeded. Each runner deserves recognition for finishing the race.
People who finish things they started are winners.
The winner is the headliner and is in the limelight. But let’s not eclipse the achievement of the other 14 runners. There’s plenty to celebrate. If you were one of the 14, I would encourage you to celebrate your success.
You ran a challenging race. Finishing a challenge is a success marker.
Your friends were there to cheer you on. Friendship and support are success markers.
You trained for the race and met your personal goal. Reaching your goal is a success marker.
Mark your successes.
And don’t count yourself last. Count yourself “IN” the game.
Maybe you had a great interview but didn’t get the job. Getting an interview is getting on base.
The game ended while you were still on base.
You didn’t strike out.
What is your definition of success?
While you’re thinking, let me tell you my definition. Success is achieving my potential to honor God, love and support family, friends, and others in need.
If I define my own success, I define my own failures.
Some people say failure is not trying. Let’s go a step further. Trying and not achieving your personal best are do-overs with 20/20 hindsight.
Sometimes we find ourselves saying, “At least I tried.”
But after your personal best, why not say, “At best I tried?”
Success is doing your personal best.