What Does Success Mean to You?

Motivation, Personal
​3-minute read

​I recently was recommended and gifted a book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy, by my friend Juan. Normally, I do not directly study entrepreneurship specifically, but it is similar to books that I normally read on self-improvement because it does cover principles in success and motivation. Darren Hardy is not only a best-selling author and successful entrepreneur but a keynote speaker who works with Success Magazine.
 
There was a part of this book that made me feel I should do some homework and I would like to share it with you. Hardy talks about how he interviewed Maria Shriver and asked his routine question of, “What is your definition of success?” and was taken back by the answer enough to realize he had not adequately defined it for himself until then.
 
In turn, this made me want to take the time to define success and what it means to me, which I am sharing here along with how you can do the same.

Defining Success

At its roots, I would define success as: the feeling of fulfillment in any particular area in life. Success can be reached through any goals that you may have. Everyone’s definition is different based on what makes them feel fulfilled and what they want to accomplish; it also changes regularly.
 
If you want to define what success is for you, you can think of three things (this was taken from my friend, Juan, who gifted me The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, which he says are the three things that he focuses on when pursuing goals):

1. Finances
2. Relationships
3. Contribution

 
And ask yourself the following questions:

• What does success mean to me?
• What drives me/what am I truly passionate about?
• When I picture myself being successful, what does that look like?1

 
Challenge yourself to think critically about contribution. Juan says this is the most critical of the three and I agree with him.  Whether that contribution is a positive impact that you want to make on friends, family, or to any cause that you’re passionate about. Money is not a great, lasting motivator but giving back to someone or something you’re passionate about is.

What is success to me, currently?

• Success is not living paycheck to paycheck, minimizing my monthly payments, and being able to support myself and my family without worry.
• Success is not ever feeling stuck in my job and truly enjoying what I do for a living.
• Success is being able to provide for my family when in need, especially my parents to pay back all that they have given me.

Conclusion

​So ask yourself: what does success mean to me? This is a great exercise to do before you sit down and write down the goals that you currently have in mind. It also helps you realize what you are truly passionate about so on days that you wonder why you continue to work hard, you can keep this in mind and remember your why.
 
I’ll repeat a key thing that I’ve learned from my endeavors and learning from highly successful people – money is not a great, lasting motivator but giving back to someone or something you’re passionate about is. Of course, finances are still a part of it and they’re important to everyone to some extent. But the things you’re passionate about (why you’re doing what you’re doing) is what really pushes you at the end of the day. If you’re doing something solely for money, you won’t be successful or happy long-term.
 
If you decide to challenge yourself and write down your definition of success, feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments below or email me directly at [email protected]. I would love to hear your thoughts on this or to assist in any way I can. Share this post on social media if you find it helpful to you. You never know, it may help someone else too.

References:

1. The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy - p. 75-78