What is success? Basically, it is the favourable outcome of something attempted. To be successful is to have succeeded in your endeavour. Therefore, success can mean different things to different people. Success to me can mean something completely different to you. For example, my idea of success could be to own ten houses. Until I own ten houses, I won't feel as though I have been successful in my endeavor.
However, for you, success may mean putting your children through private schools and until you do this, you won't feel successful. When we have both accomplished what we set out to achieve, we both feel successful. However, an outsider looking at the two of us could well perceive that one of us was more successful than the other. But that would only be in his or her eyes and it would be based on his or her own personal measure of success.
Let's go back to our definition of success - "the favourable outcome of something attempted". What is an outcome? An outcome is something that follows from an action. In other words, it is a result or a
consequence. An action occurs whenever we do, or don't do, something. For example, an action would be to mow the lawn. The outcome (or result) is a nice tidy yard we feel good about. We are happy to have our
friends over and see that we have a tidy garden. The yard looks appealing to be in. Whereas, not to take action would be not to mow the lawn. The outcome (or consequence) is weeds growing up to our knees. It certainlywould not inspire us to go out in the back yard and play cricket with the children.
By a favourable outcome, we mean a result that is encouraging or promising. In other words, the result does not have to be one hundred percent on the first attempt. All it has to be is an indication that we are on
the right track. The more times we do it, the more encouraging and promising it should become.
Suppose we decided to spend two hours a day cleaning up our yard. After the first day, we have cleaned up a quarter of the yard. Certainly, this result is encouraging because we can see the benefits that will come when we have completed the job. However, if on the next day we decided to do nothing, then we would have an unfavourable outcome because no progress had been made. At the end of a week, we have completely cleaned up our yard. We have been successful because we have succeeded in our endeavour.
The job is done and we can clearly see the results. Now we are all ready to invite our friends over for a bar-b-que. How good we feel because we made the effort. This is the feeling of success.Using these examples, I think I have also illustrated the meaning of "something attempted" in our definition of success. However, to make it crystal clear, to attempt something is to make an effort to do something or
to achieve something. In other words, we need to try. Usually success cannot be attained without action.
There is an old saying that goes - "to do nothing is to be nothing". Another one is "nothing ventured, nothing gained". Another aspect of our definition of success is that it is not permanent. By this I mean that the good feeling of success does not last unless we continue to do things that give us favourable outcomes. Going back to our yard example, we feel good because we have completed the job.However, if we don't continue to maintain our yard in a tidy state, it becomes untidy again. Due to inaction, whenever we look at our yard we see the weeds and mess. We do not feel good about it until we clean it up again. It is the same with success. Remember, it is not a destination, it is a continuing journey! And it is the same with life. If you look around you, you will see people who were at one time successful. Why are they not successful now? Simply because they stopped doing the things that made them successful in the first place. The consequence of inaction is failure.
Therefore, success is how you define it for yourself. What do you want to achieve with your life? Where do you want to go with your career? What sort of a house do you want to live in? The answers to these questions are part of your standard against which you measure your progress towards your personal success. If you are progressing towards achieving all that you want, then you are being a success. Continue to achieve to maintain the momentum and you will be very successful. The biggest mistake people make when they are looking for success is to compare themselves to others.
Do not let this stop you. What is right for one person is not necessarily right for you. You are the one that has to live your life and be happy in it. Therefore make it your own. Success is apersonal thing - achieve your own success on your own terms. Measure your success using your own yard sticks, not someone elses'. To your own self be true. Okay, so you feel that you have not been successful so far.
What can you do to obtain success? Firstly, I will show the characteristics of successful people. Then I will set out a blueprint or plan so that you too can be on your way towards being more successful. Remember, the result is up toyou. It depends on you making the effort so that you can obtain the favourable outcomes. No one else can do it for you. You make your own luck.
