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What is Your Definition of Success? (A Tougher Question Than You Think)

By admin on Nov 4, 2009 in Financial Serentity


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Your definition of success is actually your key to it.

So how do you define “success”?

You might want to gloss over this question (and post) – and if so, I understand.

You may have come to this blog for concrete information about how to improve your financial life. And you might not be interested in some ethereal discussion that doesn’t put dollars in your pocket today.

If that’s how you’re feeling…great. You’re the one I mainly wrote this for. I really hope you stay with me.

Why?

Because unless and until you define what “success” means to you, you probably won’t ever have it.

Imagine someone going on a trip but not knowing the destination. A tough proposition…huh?

If you can’t define what you want, how will you know when you find it?

I don’t think you can. That means you’ll never be satisfied. You’ll always have to keep searching …..doesn’t it? That’s no way to live if you ask me. A constant life of agitation.

Think “financial success” is having a ton of money? W-R-O-N-G. Just ask Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, Howard Hughes and a host of other “rich” folks for whom money was no cure. (Oh…I forgot…you can’t…they’re all gone.)

Think “doing what I love” is success? It could be, but I think you might be selling yourself short if you do. I love playing drums & I could do it full-time if I wanted to (as long as my family and I don’t mind living in the back of our 2002 Honda Odyssey).

I also love my work…..but if that’s how I measure “success” (and as a result become a workaholic) don’t I miss out on a lot of life?

Same thing goes with defining your success as “being happy”. Am I really “successful” if all I care about is me?
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So go ahead. Do yourself a favor. Spend a few minutes and think about what “success” means to you. Write it down.

I’m not kidding. I’m throwing down the Pilgrim Challenge.  Take 5 minutes now and write it down.

Its work – but it’s worth it.

Next assignment, call the folks in your family over the age of 16 and ask them the same thing (or just send them this post).

It may sound weird to you and them, but it will lead to a great conversation – and maybe one of the most important conversations you’ve ever had.

Care to share your definition of success? Have you ever spent time noodling this? What did you come up with? I’d really be interested.


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  1. 18 Comment(s)

  2. By Henery Schaffer on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    Well said

    [Reply]

  3. By Mike Piper on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    Woohoo! I love Pilgrim Challenges. ;)

    Here’s mine in writing and in public:

    Make a living doing what I love.
    Make a difference doing what I love.

    [Reply]

  4. By Neal on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    Mike….I love it! That’s pretty powerful man!

    (Might have to “borrow” that….)

    [Reply]

  5. By Gregg Berger on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    There’s a placard on our refrigerator which reminds my family
    “There is no success outside the home that will make up for a failure within the home”
    Below that is another
    “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings” ~ Eric Hoffer

    [Reply]

  6. By Neal on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    Great stuff Gregg. I likey…

    [Reply]

  7. By Joel on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    When I was young and idealistic, I thought success was all about Making a Difference, and money was a distant consideration. Anyone who cared about money, I thought, was materialistic and superficial.

    But now that I have a family, I see that money is more important. So I guess my definition would be to make enough money to provide for my family to live comfortably — while doing something that allows me to sleep at night. Maybe the bar is a little low, but it’s where I’m at for now.

    [Reply]

  8. By Neal on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    Joel….

    I actually think your formula is a strong one. If my definition of success was to cure cancer or something, I’d be nuts. Your goals of being able to care for your family and be able to sleep at night seem to be spot on. That’s really close to my personal definition.

    [Reply]

  9. By Ken on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply

    I think success is living a life based on my values. I think mine are being a great husband and dad. I also think it’s providing for the day to day needs of my family. It’s also having the wisdom to be prepared for tomorrow as well. For me it’s living a life that pleases God as well. Great post!

    [Reply]

  10. By dp on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply

    Acheiving balance…… I make a living doing what I love and certainly make a difference in doing it.

    Where I often stumble is balancing that effectively with home, family, hobbies, etc. Typical juggle of the working-Mom.

    (career is great, house is a wreck, toddler’s eating french-fries AGAIN, and I ran out the door to work wearing two different shoes….)

    [Reply]

  11. By Ben Cope on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply

    Hey Neal! Thanks so much for sharing this post. Very inspirational indeed.

    [Reply]

  12. By John Doe on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply

    Yes, success is definitely a tougher question that I thought!

    [Reply]

  13. By Financial Samurai on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply

    Hola Neal,

    Success to me is finding happiness in having no more desires.

    Best, FS

    [Reply]

    Neal Reply:
    November 6th, 2009 at 3:53 am

    Profound FS. Nice.

    [Reply]

  14. By Millionaire Acts on Nov 7, 2009 | Reply

    There are a lot of success definitions. There are “financial success”, “social success”, “health success”, and “spiritual success”.

    Financial success talk about the success when it comes to money.

    Social success talks about the success of your relationship – your friends, family, relatives, and special someone.

    Health success talks about becoming healthy and free from illness.

    Spiritual success talks about your relationship with the above.

    I’m not sure if there’s any person who have achieved all these kinds of successes but if achieved, this will be the ideal definition of a successful person for me.

    Anyway, I think we have the same niche and topics on both our blogs. I hope you can visit mine as well. :)

    [Reply]

  15. By Walter on Nov 8, 2009 | Reply

    Success is achieving our aspirations in life and getting through the many hindrances inherent in its pursuit. If one is able to materialize a dream in his/her mind, then such is success. :-)

    [Reply]

  16. By Cheater Makes Up on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.

    [Reply]

  17. By Investing 101 For Dummies on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply

    I will consider myself successful if:

    1) I’m doing what I love and making good money with it

    2) I have balance in my life, between work, family, health, and spirituality

    3) I can use my financial success to make a difference in the world

    Not too much to ask, is it? lol

    [Reply]

    Neal Reply:
    November 19th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Sounds good to me. Worthy goals.

    [Reply]

  18. By Simple Wordpress Themes on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

    Keep working ,great job!

    [Reply]

  19. By benitez on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply

    to be contented with small things means to be successful to me

    [Reply]

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