Posted by timethief in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s comments on success were: “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, whether 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.”
I’ve been visiting sites included on Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development List and locating some great resources. K. Stone of Life Learning Today has some solid advice for setting and achieving your goals:
“There is a way to reach your goals faster and easier than your current method. In fact it’s so powerful and surefire that many people avoid it. Why? Because it forces you to do the work that will make your dreams come true. So what’s the secret?” -> Read more at this link.
In short I believe that I’m a “success” when I’m setting realistic goals and achieving them. My definition success includes achieving goals in the workplace, however, I believe “success” is applicable to finishing whatever I planned to do in any aspect of my life.
I will not feel that I have lived a “successful life,” if the amount of time and attention I invest on a single aspect of my life exceeds the investment I make into the other aspects. (See -> Workaholic: Who Me?)
What are your thoughts on “success”?
How do you define it?
How will do you determine whether you are leading a successful life, or not?
Related post links can be found on this page.
Emerson is among my favorite philosophers. He’s a tough read, but worth it. I take your point about balance in achieving goals. We can easily become over-focused in one area, when success is more about feeling pleased, at peace, and excited about life!
Hello Muse,
Being clear about how you define success is critical. If you follow a path to success that isn’t your own, you may achieve your goals, but when you arrive at your destination, you may not feel either successful or fulfilled.
The question we like to ask each other is: Do you love the work you do? Well, IMHO we should go a lot further than that when it comes to questioning ourselves.
Is work where I am primarily focusing use of my time and energy?
Does my work complement my personal and family life or detract from it?
Am I excited about my vision of the future course my life will take?
American author Christopher Morley said : “There is only one success — to be able to spend your life in your own way.”
Defining success is a very tough job!But from what i know i would say that being successful is being imperturbable. Taking everything in a light manner without getting caught in the web of defeat is what is my definition. Well, ou can’t of course live like a saint by accepting things the way they are and treating both success and defeat as equals. But if one knows how to do it, he lives a successful life. Success doesn’t of course mean fame and power!It’s wrongly misinterpreted in the society that a successful man is a rich man. In my humble opinion, money doesn’t define success. Money is just a tool for people with inferiority complex to get what they want. Psychologically speaking, that’s not success.
Leading a balanced life and taking life as it comes and taking people the way they are without any expectations and being unconditional is to lead a highly successful life. But not even one person can lead his highly successful life. We are humans, aren’t we?:)