Success…Elusive or Attainable?
By Dale Noles
Success – the 4 Letter Word
Success is often contrived as being a taboo word. Every one has heard about it, but no one really discusses it. I have met few individuals who understand exactly what success is. Most think that success is money in the bank; while in some cases this may be true. The reality is money never bought anyone happiness.
What does it mean?
The definition of success is someone who has achieved success; procurement of fame or being prosperous; or achieving something that was planned or desired. If you examine each attribute of the definition you will see that this may be where the confusion of the word was birthed.
Double-Talk
Someone is a success when they achieve success. If this was the only explanation that I was given as to what success was, I would think that the person who told me would have no clue what success is. In short, I would think that they were full of malarkey. It sounds like a bunch of double-talk!
This definition refers to a state of mind. To be successful, you must think and act like you are successful. Once you are in the “success” state of mind, those around you, your clients, your co-workers, and even you will notice that success is making the perception of success a reality.
I’m Ready For My Close-Up
The procurement of fame and fortune is the common definition of success. For this reason, success seems elusive. It takes time and money to make money. It takes getting noticed and living in the spotlight to attain fame. This kind of success can happen over night. The sad reality is that it usually lasts that long unless you are successful at being successful.
The definition implies that once you have figured out what success is, sought after it and achieved it, you will enter the success hall of fame. You no longer have to worry about being successful because you are already there. You made it! You are the big cheese! Any second now, you are going to have a handful of reporters busting down your door to do an interview and take your picture for the daily news. No wait, this should make national news! Don’t rely on this form of success, she can be an enticing mistress and she can lead to your demise. She can hurt you as well as those around you.
The Success Blueprint
If you have goals set at an achievable level and are hard pressed at reaching your goals, you will be successful! This form of success refers to achieving something that was well thought out or was desired enough to make you want to make it happen. This success is the kind of success that builds relationships and enhances your life.
If you can define what makes you successful into terms that have the greatest impact on your quality of life, your success will resound in a positive way. For example; success is being able to spend more time with your spouse and family, or success is having the freedom to golf with your buddies once every month at a really nice club, or success is being able to help out your loved ones when times are tough, or maybe success is finding out that working for yourself has a profound effect in your overall health. If you determine what gives you the greatest joy and are able to make it happen, that, my friend, is success!
Paint me a Picture
Clarity of whether or not you are a success comes when you can take a step back and examine the entire picture. A painter’s canvas is not a strip of cloth stretched across a few pieces of wood but rather an idea becoming reality. If you focus on a two-inch by two-inch part of your life all you see is the nebulous paint in that tiny square. You have to back away to view the whole painting. That little square is not the painting itself but rather an integral part of the whole painting.
I challenge you to examine what it is you want out of your life. What will bring you the most joy? What will improve your quality of life? What will it take to attain it? Answer these questions and map out a plan to achieve it. My friend, you are a success, believe it and live it!
About the Author:
Dale Noles is the President of Virtual Accuracy, Assistance For Coaches.com and VA Training.com. His areas of expertise include complex database creation, media marketing, website design and coaching virtual assistants to success. For more information visit VirtualAccuracy or AssistanceForCoaches.
