Well I'll tell you what it's not. Even thought many of us like to periodically visit our own personal Fantasyland complete with its mansions, servants, fancy cars and trips to exotic places (check under the heading of "What I Would Do if I Won the Lottery") most of us over the age of twelve with any experience under our belts are realistic enough to recognize our Fantasyland for what it is. A fun place to visit but one sorely lacking in personal fulfillment.
Unfortunately, there are many in our society who have bought into the concept that equates "success" with big money. And you can't really blame them. Our entertainment industry and the media have vigorously promoted this concept. "Join us now as we take a closer look at the lifestyles of the rich and famous!" "Travel in luxurious style in our Really Expensive Vehicle!" "Are you ready to be a Success? I made a million dollars last year and you can do the same!" "Dress for Success with this Really Expensive Suit from the Really Expensive Store!"
OK, all you with a huge checking account and a pile of assets can just relax and take a deep breath. I personally feel than anyone who has worked hard and has earned their money honestly is deserving of at least a pat on the back. There's a good chance that a lot of people have benefited in one way or another from your efforts. That's another checkmark in the plus column.
So yes, money can be an indication of ? or a result of ? success. But it ain't "success".
So what is success anyway? Here's old Gene's personal opinion. Success is simply taking the steps to do the things you want to do. And it doesn't matter what those "things" are. It can be just being the best mom or dad possible. Or being the best teacher or secretary or tree-trimmer or banjo player or dog groomer or volunteer that you can possibly be. And no, you don't need to be better than anyone else at what you like to do. Just working to be the best you can be ? at whatever interests you - immediately qualifies you as a huge SUCCESS!
So don't waste the time and energy trying to compare yourself ? that unique, special "you" ? to anyone else. Don't drive yourself bonkers trying to live up to what you may see as another person's success. It's not a valid comparison and it's just not worth the effort. Instead, focus on what you want to do ? what you want to accomplish in life. If you'll set this image in your head and work for it, you can immediately consider yourself to be "successful". In fact, maybe you should get a plaque or poster that says "I'm Successful!" and place it in some highly visible spot in your house or apartment. What the heck. You deserve it!
About The Author
Gene, through nupathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable books and materials written to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life's "secrets for survival" in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at nupathz.com.
whole house cleaning Deerfield ..How can anyone with the brain of a cockroach make... Read More
Do you believe that? Do you believe we can all... Read More
(Excerpted from the 1999 Weekend Seminar audio/CD series)Parents, leaders, employers,... Read More
You are never a failure until you accept defeat as... Read More
(Excerpted From the 2001 Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event -... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
What's holding you back?One of my clients came to me... Read More
They say that if you really want to stretch yourself... Read More
Hey,Josh here from Investor Wealth Academy sitting 29 stories above... Read More
On March 27th 2005, Oxford won the annual boat race... Read More
You must play by the rules. Everything has rules. You... Read More
(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More
Life is not a competition.Not at all. Life itself is... Read More
You have complete control over your thoughts. Thought patterns develop... Read More
We're all adults, and most of us probably like to... Read More
Five-time gold medal-winning figure skater, Jenny Kilmer, has won the... Read More
The approach of a new year usually causes us to... Read More
I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More
Perfect the fine art of the end run From time... Read More
We speak every day without fully recognizing the impact our... Read More
Looking for a way to make this year your best... Read More
If you have a choice each day in the tasks... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
One of the first things most of us remember hearing... Read More
Here are the 3 elements of the "Purpose" leg in... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..When I was in college, I heard someone say something... Read More
I am sure that you're familiar with the old formula... Read More
One of the first things most of us remember hearing... Read More
Circus trainers used to tie a chain around a baby... Read More
Why everything has to be so hard? What have I... Read More
The very first "motivational speaker" I heard as an adult... Read More
OK, so here we are. We've switched the calendars out... Read More
The world is full of people with great intentions. They... Read More
Why do so many of us lack belief in ourselves?... Read More
What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More
Why is true success so rare?Why does research show that... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More
The gambling instinct is in every man or woman. All... Read More
You talked but didn't get a response. You talked but... Read More
Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone have recently hosted a... Read More
When most of us are asked the most important possession... Read More
Do you want to achieve your most important goals in... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
According to Bill Gates there are 3 keys to success... Read More
Do you feel you lead a healthy and happy life?... Read More
As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More
Today I am going to tell you the #1 secret... Read More
A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More
Success |