Success is commonly defined as the achievement of a goal. “Being successful” usually refers to financial wealth, though it can pertain to any goal, from running a marathon to knitting a pair of mittens. But is this the best way to define success? What if, instead of defining success by the outcome of our actions, we instead defined it as the process, the actions taken, toward achieving our goals. It’s the difference between where you started and where you are now.
What if we have two identical outcomes for radically different processes. If two people have $1,000,000, but one has inherited it from birth while the other has worked for it, the person who worked has achieved quite a bit of monetary success, whereas the inheritor hasn’t. One has moved a substantial amount from where he started, the other hasn’t moved at all. If success is defined by outcomes, then these two cases would be identical, clearly not the case.
If two skiers have a race, one is going to win and the other lose. If he had put in 100% of his possible effort, would it be fair to say the losing skier is a failure? Based on the outcome, the way most of the world defines success, yes, the losing skier is a failure. Such a statement is both ridiculous and unfair. The losing skier did everything within his power to reach his desired outcome of winning, and no other action could have improved the outcome. However if we instead look at the process, he succeeded in the most spectacular manner possible. If you’re still not convinced, imagine both skiers are your children. Your standard should be consistent in both scenarios, and hopefully you would consider both of your kids successful, and same with the losing skier in the first scenario.
The outcome oriented definition of success is a subjective one. The same event may be seen my some as success and by others as failure. A definition that allows for this type of value judgment is difficult to use practically, because it can change depending individual views and biases. The process oriented definition is objective. There is no debate as to whether someone is successful or not. This type of definition allows us to be 100% consistent. We never have to question if we are or will be successful.
Measuring success can be done in two ways: small scale (single goals), and large scale (many/every goal). Both are valuable. Take, for example, someone who has earned $1,000,000 vs someone who won $1,000,000 in the lottery. Both have achieved an equal amount in relation to the goal “make $1 million.” However, the person who had to earn it has probably developed a great many skills that the lottery winner didn’t. Those skills mean he is further along the path towards other goals. So looking at both the big picture and small picture can be useful in terms of gauging your personal success.
Mike Litman:”The biggest secret of success in life is: You don’t have to get it right; you just have to get it going.
Success is not about competition. One person’s success does not come at the expense of another’s. There is enough success for everyone, because it is an entirely personal endeavor. Striving to do the best you can under your circumstances is all you can ever do. Every action you take results in new experiences, new knowledge that can inform future decisions. Success is a development of yourself as a person, which can only be achieved through action. So ask yourself, “what does being successful mean to me?” Set goals for yourself and start taking action. Allow yourself to enjoy the journey, it’s where your success truly lies.
