On Defining Success

A friend recently asked this question, "What is success?" This is my response.

Generally, the rate something as a 'success' you have to assume there is a goal you're attempting. Without a goal, there is no success. And success has both long term and short term components (strategy and tactics). Tactics are things you do in the short term that move you toward some strategic/long term benchmark that helps you finally achieve your goal.

For instance, if your goal is to become a teacher, your strategy would be to get the requisite education and licenses that would allow you to teach. Your tactics to make your strategy successful would be to enroll in class, study, and take and pass the appropriate tests. There may be multiple strategic points/tasks you'll need to achieve (school,  passing PRAXIS I and II, being accepted for a position), that may require different tactics.

You can have successes and failures with your tactics, yet still ultimately achieve your goal, just as you can have successes and failures with your tactics and fail at your goal.

The most important part of this discussion though, is related to our goal. WE get to determine what goal we want to achieve. Others can help you select goals, but if a goal is not yours, you can never achieve success. For instance, Mother Teresa died penniless, yet many consider her life successful. By the same token, Charlie Sheen claims he's 'WINNING!', yet many would say he's not successful. There are many examples that can be argued either way, depending on the things we value.

Most importantly, the recognize success, we have to celebrate milestones and accomplishments. If you're trying to be a teacher, celebrate at the end of the school year, or when you pass the big test!

So, to recap, to BE successful or achieve success,

1) Have a goal that YOU select.
2) Have a strategy that helps you move toward your goal.
3) Have short term, tactical actions that help you accomplish your strategic goals.
4) Finally, allow yourself to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments