Your Definition of "Success"?

77 replies
Success means different things to different people. For me, it has nothing to do with the amount of money in the bank; contrary to many beliefs.

I see someone who has unlimited energy, a deep passion for life and a strong will to succeed at something that he/she loves, yet hasn't gained much as more successful than a high-paid coporate executive living in a million-dollar home who dreads his morning commute, despite driving a porche to work every day, only to come home, wake up and do the exact same thing the next day.

It's all about brain usage. If you listen to your higher self and really work at creating the life that corresponds to your higher self, you will achieve the things you want in life. They will be "attracted" to you through the thoughts and actions you give out regularly. Whereas, trying to obtain riches in the outside world without any kind of strong emotional intent will keep you stuck in a "rut".

Well, that's my take on "success".

What do you all think?
#definition #success
  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    I think its tough to define success without further explaining what you're having success in.

    For example, success in business may mean you love what you're doing and have a steadily increasing income stream.

    Success with your health may mean that you lost 20 pounds

    Relationship success might be that you and your spouse haven't had a fight in a month, or that you're teen is actually wanting to spend time with you!
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    • Profile picture of the author rahman.warrior
      Originally Posted by Justin Stowe View Post

      I think its tough to define success without further explaining what you're having success in.

      For example, success in business may mean you love what you're doing and have a steadily increasing income stream.

      Success with your health may mean that you lost 20 pounds

      Relationship success might be that you and your spouse haven't had a fight in a month, or that you're teen is actually wanting to spend time with you!
      hmm..good one. may be we lost something to achieve our target
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  • Profile picture of the author BenKJunya
    It's like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My father is happy at home with a 9-5 job working as a project manager from his office next to his bedroom. That's his definition of success.

    My definition of success is being able to travel around the world doing what I love, exploring what beauties this short mortal coil has for me, and do it all with a beautiful wife. Kids will come later, but that's another story.

    Everyone gets into this for a reason, to make their financial lives more fruitful. Whether one wants to make $500 or $500,000 - it's up to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
    I love this definition of success: Success is living the life you want to live (including achieving the goals and true desires you have in life).
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  • Profile picture of the author smilika
    For me success is not as much about achievement as it is about surpassing the person I was yesterday in all regards - physical and mental strength, that of course comprehends my attitude towards work, other people ... pretty much everything.

    I found that when I am surpassing my former self, I am happy and fulfilled. The results will come naturally this way, and are more of a bonus that what I am going after.
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  • Profile picture of the author Newview
    I guess success lies in as you pointed out - in the definition. Truly it does mean different things to different people. Personally, for me it is the freedom of working for yourself after many years of working for someone else. It is exploring new avenues and being able to make the decisions and keep moving forward. On the financial front, it means not having another money worry in the world. I'm not talking about living the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but being able to afford to keep a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food to eat, plus in case of an emergency being able to take care of the repair bill for whatever it would be. Happiness is where you make it. Sometimes it does need a bit of financial success to get there.
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    Every people have different definition about success. For me success means I have achieve everything I want that includes happiness, time and financial freedom and of course peace.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aubrey Chen
    Hi Ryan,

    Originally Posted by Ryan Dodson View Post

    What do you all think?
    Interesting thread!

    I believe we as humans tend to complicate things a lot. The more complicated it is, the more we are likely to accept it.

    I think success is all about feeling happy. All our goals, whether monetary, health or relationship-related, only have one end scenario, which is to make us feel happy.

    If you drill down to the real reason why you want something, then you will come to realize that it is only because you believe it will make you happy (I tried it a couple of time *lol*)
    For example: "I want to make money"
    Why? So I can buy.../ go to... / get ... / make ...
    Then keep on asking why for every answer you give.
    Let me know what you find out? I am curious to know how this works out for others also!

    Always attracting,
    Aubrey
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  • Profile picture of the author augustusrome17
    It is a desitination for everyone and everyone is driving towards to acheive it. there are few people acheiving with their dedication and hard work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Groom
    "Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that?s where you will find success."
    - Thomas J. Watson


    I like this quote and think it somes it up nicely!
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    • Profile picture of the author mightydough
      Originally Posted by Richard Groom View Post

      "Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that?s where you will find success."
      - Thomas J. Watson


      I like this quote and think it somes it up nicely!

      That's a nice quote.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucas Adamski
    Mostly success is related to the financial success. I think having a success is doing what you love and getting results from it
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  • Profile picture of the author mallyo
    Success to me is when your achievements outweigh your expectations and this can only occur when you are in the correct frame off mind. You see success is purely a frame of mind. Its not what you think ...... Its how you think...
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  • Profile picture of the author Super Warrior
    I think myself successful when I am able to achieve my dream without compromising.


    - Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author brute77
      This is what I personally believe in..

      "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

      A success is the school teacher who is teaching because that's what he or she wants to do. A success is the entrepreneur who start his own company because that was his dream -- that's what he wanted to do. A success is the salesperson who wants to become the best salesperson in his or her company
      and sets forth on the pursuit of that goal.

      A success is anyone who is realizing a worthy predetermined ideal, because that's what he or she decided to do ... deliberately. But only one out of 20 does that! The rest are "failures."

      - Earl Nightangle
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      • Profile picture of the author abundantlife
        As I was reading down the list I was wondering when the Earl Nightingale quote would come up. In all my years, and there are many, I have not heard the definition so well and eloquently expressed.
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  • Profile picture of the author powell747
    I heard a great quote that I really like: Success is the progressive realization of a worthwhile dream! Similar to "brute77"' definition from Earl Nightangle...
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  • Profile picture of the author Nereah
    Success is all in the Mind. Once you believe you are successful in your endeavors, you slowly work towards achieving all the small steps that eventually lead to realizing your overall goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author craigspohn
    Having the things or being with the people that truly makes you happy.
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  • Profile picture of the author eddyjoy
    Success is making a positive difference in other peoples' lives.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gilearn
    Success comes with a sense of satisfaction not actually in terms of property or money.
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  • I like threads like this, for how can we achieve 'success' when we are not clear about it

    I most highly recommend you folks check out what jay abraham says on this topic on youtube on the meta secret

    He states you create a goal, list the actions steps or the strategy, and then you take action in a consistent manner on the goal

    Great simple wisdom i need to be reminded of occasionally lol

    For me that word means ultimately happiness and i don't think necessarily money will bring that, when nlp shows that its more of an internally achieved emotion. A big guiding light for me is following my passion as much as i can towards that goal
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  • Profile picture of the author betsyanne
    I think success is all about happiness. I think a couple of other posters said this too. For some, happiness is having lots of material things. For others, it is being able to work in the garden.

    I would not mind being happy plus winning the lottery or making a million dollars or more with my business. But even if I don't, I think I can still be successful if I am happy with my life and feel that I am making a positive difference in the world.
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  • Profile picture of the author JanelleJ
    Great, inspiring responses. I love reading all of your thoughts.

    For me, I feel successful when I overcome an obstacle in my path. I feel successful when I help someone by improving their life in someway - on a large OR small scale. Success is also about living true to myself. When my values, passions, and goals all come together to make a difference in this world - that's success!
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  • Profile picture of the author bbeathea40
    Success too me is being able to take care of my family, pay bills with no problem or worry about being broke. I want to be able to pay all my bills and after that say lets go to the Bahamas for the weekend! Oh yeah it would be nice if I could finally make some money doing this network marketing stuff!!!!! 5 returns to clickbank in the last 4 months.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    "To accomplish what's important to you."

    Everyone's different. If you want to paint, paint. If you want to drive a Ferrari, drive one. If you want to compose music, do that. If you want to help people choose a career which accomplishes that.

    Follow the dreams that are in your heart. : )
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  • Profile picture of the author pjdengler
    Success in my mind is doing what you wish to do on your terms and sticking it out until your goal is completed.
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  • Profile picture of the author alexhogue
    Success for me, is something harder which you were able to surpass with all you, striving for it. It is also like that, when you were able to convey something to someone who really cannot be convinced easily. Success is when you overcome your fears. Success therefore, is when you make a positive result in a positive way out from difficult challenge.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Bill
    I believe that personal success can be achieved daily by doing something exciting or satisfying once a day + having done something to move in your preferred direction in a field of interest or endeavour. I call it my "shot-glass". I need fill my daily shot-glass every day with something (anything) which is either exciting or satisfying - preferably both. I also need to move in some direction.

    At that point I'm happy to call my day a success. Each do I do the same and each day I have success. As soon as I realised how harmful having unreachable goals (goals that can't be reached in one day) was to my psyche I released them, replaced them with direction (Robbo calls it drive) and have been successful every day since.

    But that's just me...
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  • Profile picture of the author adsense786
    hardwork that for me
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  • Profile picture of the author mightydough
    Originally Posted by Ryan Dodson View Post

    Success means different things to different people. For me, it has nothing to do with the amount of money in the bank; contrary to many beliefs.

    I see someone who has unlimited energy, a deep passion for life and a strong will to succeed at something that he/she loves, yet hasn't gained much as more successful than a high-paid coporate executive living in a million-dollar home who dreads his morning commute, despite driving a porche to work every day, only to come home, wake up and do the exact same thing the next day.

    It's all about brain usage. If you listen to your higher self and really work at creating the life that corresponds to your higher self, you will achieve the things you want in life. They will be "attracted" to you through the thoughts and actions you give out regularly. Whereas, trying to obtain riches in the outside world without any kind of strong emotional intent will keep you stuck in a "rut".

    Well, that's my take on "success".

    What do you all think?

    Success is when you have a home to return to at night after wandering about in the day. Success is having your close friends and family respect you.
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    You are what You think.

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  • Profile picture of the author Renavon
    True success in my opinion can only be decided by the person. Other people may think a person is successful, but he/she dreads the work and therefor will always look for a better way.

    For me, its only true success when you meet all the stops.
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  • Profile picture of the author dylangooch
    Success for me is finding happiness in all the things that you are doing.
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    Fooling all of the people all of the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mr Bill
      Originally Posted by oncewerewarriors View Post

      Fooling all of the people all of the time.
      You would feel successful if you fooled everyone all the time?
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Bill
    lol, context is a wonderful thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tuffy22
    Success, to me, is when you can you can reflect on your life and simply smile and appreciate it.
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  • Profile picture of the author stopper
    The is nothing like total success, you can be successful in one area and not in another.
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  • Profile picture of the author Christine2011
    For me, success is staying happy and beautiful inside out
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  • Profile picture of the author dorianjohn425
    "Action is the foundational key to all success."

    For me, I can define success with this quote from Pablo Picasso
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    • Profile picture of the author EChau
      In my opinion, success doesn't necessarily have to mean that you are rich. A successful person is someone who is able to reach their goals no matter what the cost is. And once they have achieved that goal - they have achieved success!
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  • Profile picture of the author scsheldon33
    Success for me is standing up when you fall
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  • Profile picture of the author charidemos
    Success is highly personable. This highlights are uniqueness. But I believe everyone of us prefers to be rich rather than poor, is just too much of a burden
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  • Profile picture of the author taniharjo
    My success is not about how much money I can make but as long as I can work on my own term and enjoy the process also being able to help others with what I make....I am contempt
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  • Profile picture of the author aaroncollins
    for me success will surely make u happy.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Edie47
    There is personal success and there is success in the eyes of the world. We all know people who have become very successful in their field - many of them well known.

    However, there is a personal success that we can all achieve within ourselves that will bolster our esteem and make us feel like we have accomplished something in our life.

    Most of us will never realize the realm of success that brings us world-wide fame, but we certainly can achieve success in our own neck of the woods, so to speak.
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  • Profile picture of the author Luuk Terhorst
    David Maister: “Success comes from doing what you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy it, how can it be called success?”
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  • Profile picture of the author Rohm
    Success=self actualization
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeUK
      Originally Posted by Rohm View Post

      Success=self actualization
      I like that!

      For me it's simply being truly happy at whatever it is you're you're are doing, whether it be financial/spiritual/physical or a combination of these elements. I do though, thing that today were are increasingly indoctrinated into thinking success = financial accumulation only.
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    • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
      how to do nothing with nobody all by yourself alone
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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    Originally Posted by Ryan Dodson View Post

    What do you all think?
    Definition of success?

    Breathing.
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  • Profile picture of the author krtinberg
    I think success is accomplishing the goals you set for yourself no matter how big or small.
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  • Profile picture of the author loganwrench
    Success is finding joy in every little things in life.
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  • Profile picture of the author val erie
    Success is when you are free to do what you want within the limits of the law.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kaysa
    I want to say the in most simple way possible..

    Success is the feeling of fulfillment and happines in life. Period.
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  • Profile picture of the author hireava
    Success for me is living a happy and comfortable life without hurting anyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author evlynwhite
    Success for me is a Great Achievement.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Dodson
    "Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up"

    With the strong emotional intent to keep going, it's quite literally impossible to fail. It all comes down to how you're feeling on the inside about your dreams and goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author salomeh
    Success is the achievement of something and will be acquire by the one who is willing to do and dare.
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  • Profile picture of the author divingfenix
    I ran across this...coincidence?


    The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale



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  • Profile picture of the author jrgattison
    I've adopted the definition given by Earl Nightingale as well.

    “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.”
    What we need to realize is that our vision or success should be in the process in moving towards our goal and not in the actual achievement of it. That is to say if we had a goal of 1 million dollars 5 years from now, we don't look at being successful in 5 years when the goal is achieve rather we consider ourselves a success when we do something that is moving us closer to that goal. Hence we live a successful life now rather than later.


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  • Profile picture of the author maxinekin
    Hi Ryan, can't pm you. My rates are $1/100 words contact me on merksms ATgmail dot com

    Hope to hear from you soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author maxinekin
    Success for me means meeting your targets while maintaining a certain degree of peace and joy.
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  • Profile picture of the author djasmin
    The eyes believe themselves; the ears believe other people. But hard work and creativity only gives success in internet marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author tallman
    In my brick and mortar business, success is a very simplistic process of helping people by solving their problems and feeling passionate about it. By regularly accomplishing that, most everything else attributed to success falls into place.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bmichael
    For me, success is setting a goal and achieving it. Success is also overcoming things that hold you back. Most of which is in your mind anyway!
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  • Profile picture of the author Security
    Banned
    By definition everything in the world is a success if you want to play semantics.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mr Bill
      Originally Posted by Security View Post

      By definition everything in the world is a success if you want to play semantics.
      Ha...lol, what does that even mean?
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  • Profile picture of the author gully
    For me Success is the freedom to do all that I want. It is living my life with no limits.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennisknows
    The definition of success to me is there is no definition for everyone but for the person in general. It's a measure of happiness and not financial gain...

    Our society has been bombarded by the media and brainwashed to look at those with financial superiority as being successful when in fact, they are some of the saddest people walking this earth. That's the reason they do drugs and commit suicide. They want an escape from their own life..
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  • Profile picture of the author Manuela
    Knowing my purpose in life, developing my potential to maximize my purpose and adding value to people's lives is what i consider success. However it is more of a life time journey than a destination.
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  • Profile picture of the author sylviad
    Success to me is when you set a goal or goals and see them come to fruition. Success doesn't have to be a certain income figure unless you aimed for it.

    Some might say that success if reaching the $1M mark, and it might be, but it probably isn't for everyone.

    I, for instance, don't need $1M at this point. I'm quite content to be making a steady income from all my endeavours. That income will allow me to live comfortably with some left over, and not have to sweat over the business day in and day out.

    A business on auto pilot sending me a regular monthly income that meets my needs, with the ability to make more whenever I want, is success.

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  • Profile picture of the author Mildred Williams
    Success is to have the freedom to do what you want, when you want it.
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  • Profile picture of the author 4udaces
    To me, success is overcoming my own boundaries. Doing things that I wasn't quite sure I could do. Therefore I'm always striving. Always working towards new successes. I'm a perfectionist, I guess.
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