Ambassador of Possibility

For as many people as there are in a room, there will be as many definitions of the word “success.”  The reason there is such ambiguity surrounding this term can be traced to the fact that what a person considers “successful” is subjective.  Everyone has different values, and as a result we all have different measures of success (and failure). 

To become successful, you must first decide what success means to you.  Success essentially means the achievement of a desirable outcome from a given objective.  It is impossible to become successful if you do not know what you want.  I always teach my audiences to write down at least 101 goals. Writing your greatest goal is the first step in accomplishing it and attaining success!

Because success is subjective, is it important to set your own standards of success and not compare yourself to others.  People find success in many ways. For some it manifests as the ability to peacefully meditate atop a mountaintop.  For others it is a steady job.  If you want to be successful, you must define what success means to you first.

Success comes in stages.  My definition of success has evolved over the years as I reach goals that I set for myself.  Every time I accomplish a goal, I am forced to re-evaluate what the next level of success will look like for me.  You should have a long term plan and goal, but recognize that there is success in every level of the journey. 

Success shows up in different forms.  For a new sales person it may be getting 3 sales today instead of two.  For a lawyer it may be winning a case.  Whatever you are doing, choose to be a success at it.  You have control over how you handle your current situation; identify how you can reach your greatest success in that area! 

I recommend that you write down your top 3 current standards of success and post them in a place where you will see them regularly.  Success is a measurement of self, so why would you use someone else’s measuring cup?  Recognize and set your own standards for success and then you will see how you really measure up!

-Mark