The True Meaning of Success

The world views success for the most part as wealth or fame. But how do you define success? Can one be rich and still poor? A poster once read, "Money doesn't make you happy, but it sure makes misery a lot more comfortable."

To a great degree, We are all products of our environment. The values we hold come to us from what is around us — our home, our education, our culture. From infancy, we are impacted by what we see and hear. The ship, Chanunga, on its way from Liverpool to America, had a massive collision with a small vessel from Hamburg. Crowded with more than two hundred passengers, the ship sank a half hour after the crash. The Chanunga’s lifesaving boats were lowered in order to reach the shipwrecked persons, but only thirty-four were saved. Why such a small proportion? Almost all had seized their belts of gold and silver and tied them round their waists. Refusing to lose their money, they lost their lives (and their money) instead.

How do you Measure Success?

It is prudent to look at the lot that you have been handed and what have you done with it. Focus on your skills and talents. Find your gift. What is your purpose? What is it you were given that no one else can do better? Allow your reason for being here to lead you to do the amazing things you were destined to do. Focus on your strengths and work on developing your shortfalls. Compromising the essence of who you are to find success can be likened to holding on to grains of sand. It will always slip through your fingers. Once you become who you truly are (self-mastery), you will make the most of this life that you have been given.

Being poor is not a defect and being rich does not make you more important. It’s important to know your value. Never let what you don’t have make you feel that you are less important. You are very valuable in your current state. Your value does not change or depend on the accumulation of material possessions.

“Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success.” —William J. H. Boetcker

One of the most famous, and successful, businessmen in American history Lee Iacocca, who ran the giant Chrysler Corporation for many years, toward the end of his life, he once said, "Here I am in the twilight years of my life, still wondering what it's all about. . . . I can tell you this, fame and fortune is for the birds."

In our quest for success, it’s the simple things we take for granted that really matter, like being a person of integrity, a good parent, a trusted friend…for these have become priceless attributes in our society today.

Maybe it’s time for you to enter the race you were designed to run?

I’ve seen many of my peers become despondent because of comparisons made to others. We can’t all be a Richard Branson or a Bill Gates. Constantly comparing yourself to others can yank the joy out of your own accomplishments. Maybe it’s time for you to redefine success. Run your own race. Mother Teresa did not have wealth but we all consider her to be successful. Why? Because she ran her own race. Gauge the course and run at your own pace. Don’t look to the left or right, to see how others are doing. Look straight ahead to the finish line. Focus on beating your personal best. Sometimes it may appear others are progressing faster than you. Don’t worry if others overlap you. There is a season and time for everything. Have patience, your time will come. We all achieve milestones at different points. Someone may have accomplished goals in their 20s, whilst it took you in your 40s to do the same. That is okay, this is the lot you were given and you did the best with it. Be at peace with yourself and where you are.

“I am in competition with no one. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone. I am simply trying to be better than the person I was yesterday.” Unknown

I run for a higher purpose. I teach a free financial planning course in my community. Most of the attendees are from poor circumstances with minimal educational. My greatest joy comes at the end from hearing the words “you have helped me.”

Whatever you put your hands to, from the simplest to the greatest of tasks, do it with all your might. “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm” ―Winston Churchill. Strive for excellence. Money should not be your sole motivator. Make time to help others along the way. When you lead, call those you lead to a higher purpose, and you’ll bring out the best in yourself and others. True success can be found in putting God first, in our quiet selfless service to others, achieving the goals we have set for ourselves, being happy and in possessing virtues and characteristics that have become so rare.

How do you define success?

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Purpose Driven Leadership: Building and Fostering Effective Teams

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To Your continued Success!

Cheers! ??????????

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