We all want to be successful in life, but yet many fail without knowing exactly why. One of the main reasons why people fail to achieve true success in life is simply because they do not know what true success means. If you don’t know the meaning of success how will you be able to achieve lasting success?

What does true success mean to you?

For many success is about status. It is about driving the latest model car on the market or living in an expensive home in the best neighborhood or security estate. It is about having power and influence over other people, the more power they have the more successful they feel they are. For some it is about fame and being well known by as many people as possible.

People that attain this kind of success in life tend to think that they are above other people. This is a very shallow kind of success that leaves you unsatisfied, always wanting more, bigger and better even if it means living in ever growing debt just to keep up with what society perceives as success.

Even the Oxford dictionary describes success as the accomplishment of what was aimed at, or the attainment of wealth, fame or position. This kind of success is only temporary in nature and many people live in constant fear of losing their wealth, power and fame.

Many others see success as having a successful career, owning their own home, getting married and starting a family, and being able to retire comfortably. Unfortunately countless people have achieved this so-called success only to discover themselves feeling unhappy more often than they want to acknowledge. Careers can become unfulfilling, relationships can crumble and possessions and money can be lost which can have very painful results.

Again this kind of success does not last.

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success start thinking of yourself as a success.”

-Dr. Joyce Brothers-

But what is true success really?

True success, as I see it, is something that comes from within. It is about loving what you do and feeling at peace with yourself. It is being true to yourself and not being afraid to express yourself in everything that you do.
Forget about what other people think and live out your own version of what success means to you.

True success is about being successful in your own way. You must take the time to define success for yourself. Determine what success really means to you. Forget about how society defines success.

How can you be happy if you are not aware when you are successful or not. You don’t want to spend your life chasing after superficial success that will leave you frustrated, unsatisfied and unhappy most of your life. Life is too short to waste in this way.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to lasting success. If you enjoy what you do, feel at peace with yourself, you will be happy and success will follow.

True success is to make the world you live in a better place by using your unique abilities and talents and whatever other resources that may be available to you.

Power, fortune and fame should not be your ultimate goal in life, but should be utilized in a responsible way to make a positive difference in the lives of people. It is about giving of yourself without expecting anything in return.

Your ultimate reward will be a strong feeling of fulfillment and happiness in the knowledge that you have contributed in a positive way toward creating a better world and touched the lives of people who would have been poorer without your giving heart. This is the true meaning of success.

I think Ralph Waldo Emerson says it best when he describe success as:
“To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, weather by healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”

Define what true success means to you and commit yourself to the attainment of your own personal version of success.

Recommended: “Your Roadmap to Success” by John C. Maxwell. True success is not a thing you acquire or achieve. It is a journey you take your whole life long. John Maxwell shows that genuine success is available to anyone willing to learn a few principles and follow through with them day by day …