What does success mean to you? Answering this question is one of the first assignments I give my coaching clients in The 1% Club. Investing the time and effort to define success in your own terms is one of the most helpful mental and spiritual exercises you can undertake. If you are trying to accelerate your success, it only makes sense to first define the target, which in this case is elusive and often misunderstood.
What exactly does success mean to you? I’ve observed that most people find it quite difficult to define. But if you don’t have a clear picture of success, how can you honestly pursue it or expect to achieve and then enjoy it? Success has been defined many ways in literature. Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. . . . Success is the accomplishment of God’s will in your life. . . . Success is making the most of what you have. . . . Success is who you become. . . . Success is living your life in your own way. . . . Success is a journey. These descriptions vary, but I suppose there is a dose of truth in each one. The most successful people in the world are those who have taken the time to figure out exactly who they want to become and what they want to achieve. Then they invest the hours of their days in activities consistent with these ideals.
I’ve grown to believe that successful people are simply those who have learned how to consistently apply God’s laws in their lives. They ascribe their achievements to focus, hard work, strong relationships, perseverance, and the blessing of God. The unsuccessful or mediocre are those who have no obvious direction. These people tend to “go with the flow,” or drift in whichever direction the wind happens to be blowing. Their lives are dominated by circumstances and overflowing with excuses. They blame their underachievement on bad luck, fate, the economy, or even “the successful guy in the big house.” Life, they claim, “has dealt them a bad hand,” and they choose to fold. This is not for you. Success is not an accident.
