Throughout the annals of mankind, especially within the last half century, success has been consciously described and subconsciously labelled in numerous ways.

“Aim for the moon, even if you miss you will land amongst the stars” – W Clement Stone

Though before we continue onto the various examples of the definitions of success I want to in no uncertain terms emphasis and address the paramount importance of aimming for something (be it a specific goal/ target/ dream, a purpose, a mission), to want something, simply because people who want things are engaged and activated, and vice versa people who are engaged and activated want things. Michelle Masters (The Coach’s Coach) says “…people reach out for life through wanting things… and are engaged through wanting things.” The issue with not wanting something, not having a goal is that most people who want nothing, get nothing, those that don’t have a goal, end up with the result of achieving nothing.

Now with that said in everything that you hope to attain and achieve, it goes without saying that you or anybody else hopes to succeed. Though now over time the definition of success has been, interpreted and objectified differently as follows…

 ‘The more you’re actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will feel’ (Richard Branson)

 House with a white Pickett fence

 Going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm (Winston Churchill)

 Big House, Bigger Car

 Attainment of Fame, Wealth or social status

 Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it (Maya Angelou)

 Lots of money

 Deep spiritual connection with a higher power

 Desired outcome of something attempted (Oxford Dictionary)

 Accomplishment of an aim or purpose

From the above as you can gather people describe success differently. Some may look to express success through the gathering of material possessions or money whilst some people on the other side of the spectrum endeavour to express it through spirituality and inner peace, with components of wisdom and self actualization.

Now, in my opinion the best definition of success I have read and heard goes as follows , success is “… the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal…” Working and continually working to advance and attain a predetermined goal. As Earl Nightingale once said ” The person who succeeds is the person who says, I’m going to become this… and then begins to steadily work towards becoming it ” is a success.

” Seest a man diligent in his work, and he shall stand before Kings…” – Proverbs 22:29

Furthermore, from my view that is the best definition I have heard simply because it embraces encompasses and accommodates everybody, because everybody is different (growing up in different environments valuing different things) and everybody wants to become different things. The person who looks deep within them self and says they want to become a teacher and becomes the best possible teacher they can be, effectively educating their students, preparing them for the next season of life, is a success. The person who desires to work for themselves offering their services as a make-up artist to effectively lift the confidence of a bride and make her into a glowing vision of beauty on her wedding day and does exactly that, is a success; and the person who desires to become an entrepreneur, starts and runs a business to the best of their ability, is a success. All of these people as well as others who choose different careers and vocation paths are a success and succeeding, not because of any amount of money they have or earn though rather because of their dedication to the person they have wanted to become and have actually become that person, committing to making a positive difference {because that is what the world needs, people who are and have committed to making a positive difference in their respective field} and doing it well and effectively day in and day out.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. ” – David Henry Thoreau

In conclusion, Gurta once said “…look at a man with the eyes of what he looks like and he will only become worse, look at a man with the eyes of what he could be and he becomes what he should be.” As you now advance to what you have decided to do or the person you have decided to be (and if you haven’t decided it’s okay, I urge you to find what resonates with you, choose it and do it well) see yourself and look at yourself as that successful person already, imagine what it would feel like being that person, progress with that faith, that inspired, unexplainable, intangible sensational concoction of passion, faith and confidence and as you see yourself diligent in your work may you meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

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