The Meaning of Success – by Arnie Wohlgemut
One of the things we struggle with is what success means to us. I certainly do. Success is often measured in dollars and the value of our possessions because it is easy to measure it that way. However, the meaning of success can be very different from one person to another.
I recently read a definition of “meaning” that resonates with me: “the essence of meaning is something pointing to something else beyond itself.” A recent summary of questions asked to an online AI chat bot reveals that the number one question is about the meaning of life!
Here are some of my reflections on the meaning of success and life.
“Everything is meaningless until you give it meaning.”
Stephen Furtick
- Success and Life Context
The context of where we are in life’s journey is often a large influence on our definition of success. When we start our career, our focus is on growth and opportunity. Eventually that changes to reflect new circumstances and goals.
As we get older, many times we attach our story of success to that of our children or even our grandchildren. Life context is the largest factor for changing our meaning of success.
“Success can be defined in many different ways, but it’s up to you which one to choose.”
Tchiki Davis
How we define success reflects our connection to what is important to us. What is important is the driving force for our actions, our willingness, and our desire to accomplish goals. “The driving force can be extrinsic or intrinsic,” writes Nate Torres “– in other words, from outside forces or from within.”
2. Success and Life’s Connection
The truth is that you are in control of what success means to you. Not your friends, not your family, only you.
Don’t get me wrong, it is not easy to do this. It takes personal strength and resolve to define and live in your success.
“Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
John Wooden
3. Success and Our Attitude Toward the Meaning of Life
Unfortunately, how we define success and how it applies to our lives, reflects our life story and our attitude. It comes from our beliefs which were formed over time, from our upbringing and childhood experiences.
Our attitude towards life and work, is often a reflection of where we believe we are, in relation to our meaning of success.
“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 2:11
There is more to life than financial success. How successful are you in your intellectual life? Your health? Your relationships and spiritually?
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