The Meaning of Success

 

What would you write about if someone asks you for your success story? How will you reply, if you consider yourself as an ordinary person faced with financial problems occasionally (sometimes more often), or as one whose popularity is not even one percent of a rock star, or as one whose influence could not even get a preferential position in a crowd?

When you look at the successful persons who receive acclamation from people in all forms of media, you will come up with the conclusion that they are persons abundantly endowed with wealth or money, power, and fame.

Success is defined as the accomplishment of a goal or an objective. Thus, it can measure a person's entire lifetime, or just one project that he undertakes. A successful person is one who consistently achieves his goals in his lifetime, and most especially towards its end.

A person may define success a bit differently from how other people would. The measure of success of an individual may depend on his values. Suppose that person is more interested in caring for people, whether family or community, realizing his objectives for their welfare would be his measure of success. It may not translate to money, power, or fame.

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  - Proverbs 16:3

Due to life's uncertainties, there is no chance you can become a successful person by following one blueprint from youth to old age. There will be times for planning to achieve specific objectives, such as education, profession, family life, social life, and retirement.

Plans may fail, perhaps due to lack of resources or errors in execution, and you have to make new plans and start over. In most cases, those who eventually succeed have asked God for guidance and strength and have put their trust in Him.

Perhaps there may be times when an aspect of one's life might be considered a failure, but it has to be viewed as God's will, and but a small part of one's overall success story.

 

“Success is living in such a way that you are using what God has given you – your intellect, abilities, and energy – to reach the purpose that he intends for your life.” – Kathi Hudson

Every person is given innate gifts that increase or become more pronounced through proper nurturing and frequent use. Going through life without striving for excellence in school, or performing tasks that are not to the best of one's abilities, are not indicators of success.

Would you call a person who has immense wealth but has not worked throughout his life successful? Would you call a person who has gained notoriety successful? No, because that person has wasted the gifts that should have been instruments in realizing his life's bigger purpose.

 

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Undoubtedly, the number of supportive people in one's lifetime is a factor in achieving success. Family, friends, and hard-working workers can inspire an entrepreneur to engage in a business. The number of reliable suppliers and loyal customers will ensure higher profits and a sustainable business. Good customer relations, or maintaining good connections with people in all aspects of the business, can make a successful businessman.

Other than businessmen, people who interact engagingly and well with different people, whether in terms of economic status, race, religion, or political beliefs, also tend to become successful. This is because they can easily make their goals and objectives understood and accepted by anyone. From conceptualization to implementation, their projects will find support.

 

"Let not kindness and fidelity forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and good esteem in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4

Let your life be filled with love and faithfulness, to God and other people, that whatever you have done successfully will be recognized and applauded. A good person who becomes successful will receive much admiration, rather than one who has brought sadness and pain especially to those who have contributed to his success.

 

"Success is peace of mind in knowing you did your best.” – John Wooden 

Towards the end of your life, when asked if you consider yourself a success, what would be your best measure then? 

Ask yourself then, if ever you have achieved your life's goal and have realized your dreams, and whether you did so with the following:

        a) Kindness and gentleness to others

        b) Faithfulness to God even during trying times

        c) Bringing happiness and satisfaction to people

        d) Honoring God by fully utilizing His gifts; and

        e) Offering everything to God for His greater glory. 

With these, you did your best. You are a success!