How Do You Define Success?

Really, How Do You Define Success? Do you see yourself as being the successful individual that you are today?
Viewing yourself as a success is extremely important in order to reach your full potential in all areas of life.  You many notice that lots of wonderful advice and information is available which has to do with “how to become successful” in numerous areas of our lives – for example, how to become financially successful, or how to become successful with relationships, etc.  While learning about these ideas can certainly be helpful and insightful, it is equally important to recognize that success has much to do with an individual’s definition of it and an individual’s journey; it’s not simply a destination that we arrive at or something that we become.  True “success” involves enjoying your journey, day by day.  You are a success in your life today, and how you choose to view yourself and how you spend your time in this moment has everything to do with your being a successful person in the present as well as in the future.

I have outlined 3 areas here in this article to help to remind you to view yourself as a success, by focusing on and appreciating your individuality and the accomplishments that are a part of your life right now.  Doing so can help you to stay motivated to continue on your path of reaching your potential as the successful person that you are!

1) Appreciate Your Individuality

You are totally unique.  Individuality is the only thing that sets us apart from everyone else, in all careers and in all areas of life.  Personally speaking, after working as an actor and a writer for over 7 years here in Hollywood, California, the absolute most important lesson that I have learned about being successful is to embrace my individuality and be true to myself.  (No one – regardless of how good of an actor he or she is – can be a better version of me than me!)

No matter what field you work in, it is crucial to remember that there is only one of you out there!  No one possesses the same gifts, the same visions and the same dreams as you do.  Having the courage to simply be who you are, be true to yourself and to pursue your passions and dreams is a massive success in itself.  Celebrate these successes, and appreciate the awesome qualities that make you – you!

By recognizing and appreciating your individuality, you will build your self confidence.  If you are confident in who you are and in your dreams, anything is possible.

2) Be Grateful for What You Have

Your success has everything to do with how you personally define it according to your standards, not someone else’s.  In conjunction with embracing individuality and viewing yourself as a success, it’s also important to remember to try to not measure or compare your own success according to other people’s lives.  Now this can obviously be challenging, especially when you may see other people achieving certain successes in careers or relationships that you would also like to achieve.

Yet, again, there is only one of you.  It is not necessary for you to compare your success to anyone else’s.   What you have to offer our world is uniquely yours.

Rather than wasting precious time and energy focusing on what other people are achieving or what they have and what you do not currently have, shift your focus onto what you are currently achieving in your life and appreciate all of the blessings that you have.  (There is so much to be thankful for!)

Aim to be grateful for all successes in your life – big and small.  Be grateful for simply having the opportunity to strive to be the best version of yourself that you can be, and understand how much of a positive impact you can make (and are currently making!) on the world.  The work of motivational writer and speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer often explores the topic of gratitude, and Dr. Dyer sums this idea up beautifully:

“Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. Be thankful for the storms as well as the smooth sailing. What is the lesson or gift in what you are experiencing right now? Find your joy not in what’s missing in your life but in how you can serve.”  – Dr. Wayne Dyer.

3) Be Good To Yourself

Finally, remind yourself that you’re doing a great job!  Life comes with many “ups” and “downs” and some days are harder than others.  In order to make it through the roller coaster of life, aim to treat yourself in the same manner as you would treat a friend.

Check in with yourself and encourage yourself to keep moving in the direction of your dreams.  If you are going through a tough time today, for example, don’t make things more difficult by being hard on yourself.  Take everything one step at a time and treat yourself with kindness.

We are all a work in progress, and it’s important to strive to be the best that each one of us can be. 
But in the meantime, recognize that if you are doing the best that you can do every single day, then you’re already extremely successful!

Let us know: How Do You Define Success?