Friday, August 2, 2013

Axiom 38: How Do You Define Success?


"...But...to sing,
to dream, to smile, to walk, to be alone, be free,
with a voice that stirs and an eye that still can see!
To cock your hat to one side, when you please
at a yes, a no, to fight, or- make poetry!
To work without a thought of fame or fortune,
on that journey, that you dream of, to the moon!
Never to write a line that's not your own...
-Edmond Rostand, Cyrano De Bergerac


So why have I made it all the way to Axiom 38 before I attempted to define for you what success is?

Let me try to explain....

Your specific definition of success will vary widely depending upon your current situation and where you are on your path in life. I would argue that most people see success as being manifested in future tense as material goods only. This I think is an incorrect mindset to have.

Success is the accomplishment of one's goals in a way that allows you more control over your resources and ultimately more control over your life. This control if done correctly should result in a higher quality of life, happiness, and the ability to influence your destiny.

The Axioms I have presented until now cover a wide variety of "resource building" topics to help you increase your awareness and help you gain control of what resources you have available to you. You have to become self-aware of your own situation and resources before you can figure out how to leverage long-lasting success.

The road to success is largely different depending on if you are younger or older. If you are younger the key to success is to aggressively dive in. Travel, read, experience, and learn as much about life as possible so as to become aware enough to avoid costly potholes early on that could be detrimental to success later in life.

As a young person intelligent choices are key and have vast consequences later in life. I like to think of these choices like a ship sailing from Europe to the new world. In the beginning of the journey small directional changes require little effort and produce a big changes in your final destination. However, further into the journey it requires huge changes and lots of effort to change course and change your destination. Keep this in mind as you make decisions as a young person.

As an older person success can be achieved by using the resources your already have. If you're not sure what these resources are go back through the previous Axioms and stayed tuned for the upcoming ones. We all have more resources available to us than we might initially think. Use the resources you have and create a snowball effect by building upon them to help reach the success you want.

And no matter what, stop every once in a while and examine the successes you already have in life. Realize that success means more than the amount of money you want in your bank account tomorrow.