While today’s topic is about personal growth, the more challenging first step is to personally define the word success. You must understand what success means to you before you can achieve it.
The world may lead us to think that success is about financial wealth, one’s title or position, or having a big house or lots of toys. While it could be, I believe it is much more than that and yet more simple.
Let me share a few of my favorite “success” statements.
Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming. —John Wooden
This one is kind of amusing:
God created all people with natural gifts. But he also makes them with two ends, one to sit on and one to think with. Success in life is dependent upon which one is used most, and it’s a toss-up; heads you win, and tails you lose. —John C. Maxwell
Here’s a more practical one from my mentor:
Circle of Success: Test-Fail-Learn-Improve-ReEnter-(Repeat). Just like life, the cycle never stops. It is continual. —John C. Maxwell
Here is one that Brian developed:
Success is recognizing the abundance of life and knowing that I am becoming everything God intends for me to become.
Kris believes that success occurs when a new level of potential is achieved, whether for herself or for someone she is helping. Potential is unlimited, so success can happen continually!
Here are some questions to consider when searching for your definition of success:
How many people walk around and then accidentally find themselves on top of the mountain?
What is the only direction one can coast? Answer: Downhill. That’s because everything worthwhile is uphill. If it is worthwhile, it requires extra time, extra energy, or extra resources.
Whose job is it to get prepared for the next step in life in your career, in your future? If not you, who? I know some who will help you out by telling you what to do, but that doesn’t mean they have your best interests in mind.
How much emphasis should one make to improve one’s self? How many people expect to keep up by just by doing their job? Or do you think that it requires something more intentional?
Jim Rohn says, “Work harder on yourself than you do your job.”
What if I shared that knowledge is doubling at the rate of every one to two years? (http://epoq.wikia.com/wiki/Knowledge_doubling) How many years will it take before your job is obsolete, and taken care of digitally? Are you growing to make yourself more valuable?
And how does one add more value?
By putting yourself in your boss’s shoes and giving him or her more of the information that is needed. Do not just provide the research and data that is asked for but consider what is the “extra” that helps make the information already collected that much more complete.
Arrive early; stay late.
Do the things that no one else is willing to do.
When the tough times come (and they will come), how do you prepare yourself so that your boss will, without question, keep you? Are you working for a boss who is adding value to his or her boss?
The big picture of success, the glamorous snapshot that everyone sees from the outside looking in, is actually made up of small daily actions. That’s why getting things done is so important.
What’s your game plan? Head in the sand or should you consider a discussion with a leadership coach?
At Leadership Harbor, we focus on learning every single day through listening, reading, sharing, and developing material to help people be successful.
How can we help you? Shall we get together to investigate? Contact us immediately to redirect your future or define your “success”!
Blessings!
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