Success: It's What You Make It

10 replies
For some strange reason a lot of people, and I include myself in this group, believe that to be successful you have to have a lot of money. It seems being rich is the ultimate indicator of success.

It took me a while be now I know that it is not true.

Success is achieving whatever it is you what to achieve.


Money does not equal success.


The head of major companies earn a lot of money. They get flown around the world and live a life of luxury.

However, they are on call 24 hour a day, and they have a great deal of responsibility. They also spend a lot of time at work, rarely see the family and go grey very quickly.

To me that sounds awful. The desire for money has taken away their quality of life.


Lets look at a different person, an athlete. Take some one that is training for the 2012 Olympics. They will be flown to the games, given accommodation and allowed to compete with the best of the best.

There is little money involved. However, they must train every day, sacrifice their life style and again be away from their friends and family quite often.

Again to me that sounds awful. The desire to win has taken away their quality of life.


To me neither of these people are what I would class as successful.

However, they are successful, for one reason, they have achieved what it is that they wanted to achieve.

Just because I don't like their lifestyle does not mean that they are not successful.


To me success comes from being able to cover the expenses, have a great balance of work, holidays and time with friends and family.

If I never crack the millions it won't matter as I believe that right now I am a successful person.

To be successful right now, you need to look at what you have achieved over your life. Be proud of the small achievements as well as the large.

Keep your dreams in sight, but realise if you never get there, you can be proud of the fact that you tried and didn't just sit there saying, "one day I will."

Judge yourself on what you achieve, not on what others achieve. Lower you levels of success, and be proud of yourself.
#make #success
  • Profile picture of the author Trey Walter
    Great post drwhogoesthere!

    Originally Posted by drwhogoesthere View Post

    Money does not equal success.
    I totally agree. It's such a common misconception to equate money with success.

    Success can also mean to lead a happy life. Or to be remembered. Think about all those religious leaders for example.

    In fact, I'd feel disgust if I was taking my last breath and noticed that I dedicated my life to making money.
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  • Profile picture of the author AwesomePossum
    Very good post (:

    Being grateful for what you have and what you've done is the biggest thing that keeps me happy on a daily basis.

    On a completely separate note, I'm in shock right now lol. I just realized something..... Our culture has replaced genuine happiness in life for something entirely fake(money and power) ...... We shun the things that are real in life in order to "succeed" within our culture with the main cause being PURE ego. We're really f ked up : 0. (Did I cross the line here?)

    Thank goodness I've found a way that blends my passions in with money
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Baker
    Success to me is happiness. Sure, money makes me happy, but it's the happiness and contentment in life that I strive for, the rest is "stuff".

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    This is a great post, and so right!

    In fact, a while ago when everyone was posting their new year's resolutions I was surprised about how so many people have an arbitrary monetary goal. There's nothing wrong with money - and there's nothing wrong with needing a certain amount of money for what you want to achieve - but I felt many of these goals saw money as an end in itself.

    To me being a millionaire won't mean I'm successful unless I use that money to give me freedom, to look after a family, to help other people and keep improving. That would be real success!

    In fact, even when you're a complete newbie I think success means doing things you're scared of - if you succeed then fantastic, if not then it's another lesson learned. Small things like that mean real success to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author sandra.IMqueen
    Whilst many people measure success in financial terms it truly is not the most important measure.

    For me success is about people. Do I have good, kind and loving relationships with people who matter to me? Can I give a stranger a helping hand, is there something I can do to make another human being feel better? A simple smile, an encouraging word or even a hug. Am I someone people respect, am I approachable? Can I love unconditionally that for me is my measure of success.

    I am not knocking money, but if I were lying on my deathbed surrounded by money with no loved ones that would be a true sign of my own failure.
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin Says
    Thank you so much man!

    "Success is achieving whatever it is you what to achieve.

    Money does not equal success.
    "

    Just brilliant analogy. I totally agree. Success is exactly what you make it

    To me success is just having people read my content.
    Signature

    My name is Justin Lewis. My digital marketing company has been in business for over 10 years with multiple six-figure years. We do provide a premium web design service.

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  • Profile picture of the author UnstoppableJoy
    Success is exactly what you make it

    To me success is just having people read my content.

    We are all reading your content here - so congratulations on your success!
    Signature

    Ed Osworth - The Joy Professor - Author of "Unstoppable Joy - A Happier You in 12 Simple Steps"
    $15.95 at Amazon or get Your Free Copy at http://JoyForFree.com

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  • Profile picture of the author Jvsnow01
    I have found that success equates to having balance in my life.

    Being able to buy the things I want meant that I had to have money to do this.

    When I think of what money can bring into my life i.e fundamentally peace and stability either gained personally/directly or through helping others, then I know that I have attained success.


    Jvsnow01.
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  • Profile picture of the author drwhogoesthere
    As a teacher I get to see every year kids being successful. I get to see it everyday. Their success does not come from having money, but by getting the answer correct.

    If you believe right now that you are successful, you will be successful.

    And this universe works in a strange way. When you put out that feeling of success you will attract it.
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