Have you ever made any New Year’s Resolutions? Almost everyone has engaged in the tradition of taking a quick look at their life, and making promises to start doing something, or stop doing something, on the first day of the new year. After a few weeks, a couple months in some cases, the average person has abandoned their resolutions and settled back into their daily routines.
Everyone loves the idea of success. We talk about it, write about it, desire it, strive for it, prepare for it, and still can’t seem to understand it. Webster defines success as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Ask people to define their aim or purpose and you hear them talk about three things: happiness, wealth, and health. For good measure some might throw in fame.
But, when you look around, you see a world filled with people who have wealth and fame yet are miserable. There are plenty of high achievers who have accomplished countless goals, earned a lot of money, acquired homes, cars, and possessions yet are unhappy and discouraged. You too may have accomplished important goals, reached significant career milestones, and still did not feel successful. You have likely heard someone say, or said yourself;
- When I get that promotion, I will be successful.
- When I buy _____________, I will be successful.
- When I win ____________, I will be successful.
- When I am on the cover of _______________, I will be successful.
- When I get invited to ______________, I will be successful.
- When I accomplish _______________, my dad will finally acknowledge me.
When we define success based on events, acknowledgement, and purchases that fill in the blank we may experience momentary success, but we will not be successful. So, what is success?
“Success is the identification of your most important roles, values, and goals, and living your personal and professional life in accordance with your roles, values, and goals.”
Regardless of your age, gender, marital status, economic status, professional status, or any other criteria you can think of this definition of success is applicable. It starts with understanding and prioritizing the roles you play in your life, supporting those roles with timeless values, and selecting goals to support and fulfill each of your most important roles.
Think about it this way. In the roles you play in your life, do you make a difference? Do you use your time, talent, and money to positively impact the lives of your family and community. The foundation for sustained success is pursuing goals that support the roles you value the most.