How to Find The Definition of Success

Introduction

This essay is a guide to finding a definition of success. Defining success is an age-old issue, but it is significant enough to be reminded of since "we all want victory."

The Quest for Success

We would like to be powerful and feel effective. But, we seldom stop to inquire: "what's a success to us?" Few individuals pause to reflect on what it actually means to attain success in their lives. If we do not answer this particular question, odds are we wind up climbing the wrong ladder and then chasing somebody else's version of success. It is a hardship few people have the ability to recuperate from.

Understanding Failure and Success

We cannot specify or quantify failure on both sides of succeeding, yet failure is evidence that achievement is possible. Before we can pursue victory, we need to understand what success is not—who we're not. Try spending a few minutes on social media. You'll find how many people hold an extremely narrow definition of achievement, believing it is about creating wealth, owning a billion-dollar company, or amassing a large social media following.

None of these are incorrect, but being like those people does not always make you powerful. A lot of individuals have fought their way to the top only to feel unhappy and burnt out after they arrive. They are unhappy because they chased what success isn't—one that did not fit their values. Everybody has their own strategy and thought of who and what people ought to be. Although it's fine to appreciate the opinions and expectations of others, we should not necessarily adopt them as our own. No one can impose their version of success on us, and no one can tell us exactly what it means to live a fantastic life.

Redefining Success

It's easy to assume that success involves acquiring something, like a job or social standing, and to think that when we get something, we will be successful. Winston Churchill said, "Success isn't final, failure isn't fatal" (Churchill, 1941). When we base our definition of success on a few achievements, it's almost guaranteed that we will be let down. We have to set our objectives, paths, and goals based on what we want, not what someone else wants for us. Is it money? That's alright. I have nothing against cash. Perhaps it's a healthy family. Perhaps it's a happy marriage?

Some people might discover that helping others brings them the most happiness, and so success appears like a lifetime given to others. Some realize that creating a company or product brings them joy. Some prefer isolation, and others prefer continuous action. The simple yet overlooked fact is that "what makes me happy doesn't make someone else delighted," and vice versa. My vision of achievement likely looks nothing like yours, and that is how it ought to be. If we don't have a definition of success for ourselves and attempt to pursue someone else's path, we will end up unfulfilled, miserable, and feeling profoundly ineffective.

Recognizing Current Success

Additionally, it's very important to appreciate that in several ways, we are already successful. If we assume that we're failures until we accomplish a particular goal, we set ourselves up for unhappiness. We must recognize all we've accomplished. Ask yourself:

• Where have I been effective in my life?
• How can I continue to build on this success?
• What are my lessons learned from these victories?
• How can I grow further in these areas?

When we reach a specific landmark, that's part of succeeding, but we don't stop there. Success is both a goal and a journey. We push harder and higher, striving to achieve more and to be better. However, many struggle with finding their paths.

Questions for Personal Reflection

Listed below are a few questions to assist you on your path:

• What actually matters to me personally?
• What ignites my passion with the right kind of fire?
• How do I wish to live my entire life?
• Who do I want to be?

Saying, "What really matters to me is joy," may be inadequate. If you cannot see clearly, you won't know what that implies, or what you are doing, or where you are going. However, before you start moving forward, assess where you are at now. This is a time for honest assessment, no sugar-coating at all. Where you're not isn't as important as where you are. And it's equally as important where you aren't as it is where you are.

Setting Achievable Goals

Then, set some specific objectives. These goals should be attainable and realistic but still challenging. Consider how you can measure your objectives. If you cannot measure it, how can you know you're making progress towards your goal?

Say you want to read more to succeed; set a goal of 30 books this year, not simply "read more." Say you wish to improve your writing skills to succeed; set a goal of writing 100 articles this calendar year, not simply "write more." If you don't define success, someone else can do it for you, and it's likely to be on their own terms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, success is a deeply personal concept that varies from person to person. It is essential to define it for ourselves to ensure that we are pursuing a path that aligns with our values and desires. By setting clear, measurable goals and reflecting on our achievements, we can create a fulfilling and meaningful definition of success that is uniquely our own.

References

Churchill, W. (1941). Speech delivered at the Lord Mayor's Luncheon, Mansion House, London, November 10, 1941.