suc⋅cess suh k-ses –noun

1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.

2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

Have you ever found the definition of success to be perplexing? The favorable termination? The attainment of wealth, position or honors? No wonder so much time is spent seeking success – by definition we are looking for an “end” of something – favorable or otherwise – or that you will acquire something of perceived value to others.

Why does success have to mean termination of anything? And really, what does wealth, position or honors have to do with success? Who decides that? Can in fact, success be considered a journey, marked with significant milestones that lead us to greater feelings of fulfillment?

I have spent countless hours and significant dollars attempting to understand success. Is it a state of being? Is there a destination? Will you have achieved it when you have a certain amount of money in the bank? Is it that we see success in moments but are not willing to put a larger label on our lives personally and/or professionally to say, “I am successful.” Is it our ego that steps in to say, “Now wait a minute.”

Are you successful?

I find it interesting that while many of us would not say, “I am successful” – the perception of those around us would contradict our view of ourselves.

So think of people you know and would identify as successful. List out their characteristics; do they have significant wealth, or is it lifestyle that creates that impression of success? Is it the quality of the relationships in their life, or their overall attitude or demeanor?

I learned awhile ago there is a direct correlation between success and acceptance of yourself and gratitude for what you have. I don’t have millions of dollars in the bank; no title, no position of honor. What I do have is a terrific 15 year relationship with my husband, two wonderfully loving and supportive parents – a handful of carefully selected friends who I adore, a warm place to sleep at night and my health. Should my name never appear in lights I would define my life to this point as a success. Do I aspire for more? Definitely – but the “more” I want has nothing to do with my success it has to do with helping others find theirs.

Amazon.com has over 790,000 books addressing success. Isn’t it time we stop searching for the Holy Grail, or looking for that “one thing” as Curly would say in the movie City Slickers?

Success isn’t on the outside; it’s on the inside and you already have it. It's time you step into your success.