“When you know what matters most, you can live a life that most matters.” – Leadershipology.com
What is success? Most people want to succeed but many have not taken the time to define success. Movies and other external influences often set the framework for people’s definitions of success. Things like fast cars, attractive companions, pockets full of cash, and mansions on the hillside are great but are they what you really want? One of the great influencers in my life was Zig Ziglar. He said, “Most people climb the ladder of success and when they get to the top, they realize the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”
So, what is success to you? Do you have a clear definition in your mind? Is the ladder you are climbing leaning against the right wall?
Read through and think about these quotes. They all have elements that can help shape your thoughts around success.
- “Success is really doing what you love and doing it well.” – Warren Buffet
- “Think tomorrow. Make today’s efforts pay off tomorrow.” – Walt Disney
- “We’ve got to put a lot of money into changing behavior.” – Bill Gates
- “Love what you are doing. Believe in your product. Select good people.” – Mrs. Fields
- “Free the imagination. You are capable of more than you can imagine, so imagine the ultimate.” – Walt Disney
- “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton
- “Strive for lasting quality. “Good enough” never is.” – Walt Disney
- “Success is 90% failure.” – Soichiro Honda
- “Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” – Abraham Lincoln
- “Have “stick-to-it-ivity.” Never, never, never, give up.” – Walt Disney
- “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” – Jesus
The most important step you can take in shaping your personal definition of success is to define your core values. I like to say, “Think Values.” Why values? What do they have to do with success? What you value influences everything … including the decisions you make, your responses to people and situations, and your commitments to personal and organizational goals. They are like the navigational compass on a ship, a GPS on your car, the computer guidance system on an airplane. When clearly defined, they guide you to success and keep you on purpose.
I know with certainty that very few people have ever fully identified their core values. I encourage you to take the time to define (or refine) yours. You will find that when you know what matters most, you can live a life that most matters. When you live a life that most matters, you are bringing your greatness and adding YOUR VALUE everywhere you go … which to me, is the key to success.
Have you defined your core values?
Can you list them in order of priority?
Does your life reflect your values?
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