Success can be a loaded word, but what does it really mean? Is there only one definition? Can that definition change over time?
That’s why it’s important that you take time to define or redefine success and talk through it with the people you are close to and those you are leading.
Success is…
How you define success can make or break you. Regardless of how you define success, it is imperative that you take the time to define it and/or occasionally redefine it. If you don’t, how will you know when you get there? Defining success will also help you determine the steps you need to take to get there.
While some definitions of success may be more essential than others, success doesn’t have just one definition. Let me give you some examples from my own life. Here are some ways I define success (and recently redefined some):
- God – knowing God and doing His will because ultimately, He is the one I want to please.
- Myself – be a whole and healthy person in the four core areas of life – spiritual, relational, emotional, physical (work, health, finances) so I can live a faithful, fulfilling, and fruitful life
- My wife – to have a vibrant relationship when my kids are out of the house (in order to do this, we have to cultivate a vibrant relationship while they are at home) because one day it will be just us!
- My children – thriving adults, in love with God, and life-long friendships with them and their families.
- Important relationships – Those who know me best love me and respect me the most (if those who know me least respect me the most I have done something wrong)
- Pastor – to build big people who become mature disciples that multiply other mature disciples
- Business – helping leaders thrive and be whole (integrity) for themselves, their people, their team/organization so they can leave a lasting legacy
- Finances – to become financially free so I can do the most good for the most number of people.
- Physical health – to live a vibrant and healthy life up until the moment I die.
Once you define success (akin to goals in some ways), focus on what you must do to become that type of person – the small daily habits that will get you there.
Success can also be deceptive. I’ve written more about the Deception of Success here. By unintentionally leading us to believe we need less help rather than more, success can undermine the very things we are working toward.
Redefining Success
When is the last time you worked through your definitions of success in the major areas of your life?
If it’s been a while, why not take some time to do it right now? It only takes a few minutes and I promise you it will be well worth your time.
Start with the major categories of your life and ask, what type of person do I want to be in these areas of life and why?
Photo by Razvan Chisu on Unsplash
