I've been thinking a lot lately. Specifically, thinking about success. Am I successful? How do I know when I achieve success? What does success look like?
I am sure that I'm not alone when I think, "success must mean wealthy" or "success means being your own boss" - it's that corner office, boat, big house, lavish vacations. If you're successful, you've mastered all your challenges and figured life out. That's who I want to be like. That's success.
That's what consumerism, media, and "the Joneses" want you to think success looks like. But in my short time here on Earth, I think I've figured this much out: Success looks and feels different to everyone!
You can have successes in every area and facet in your life. You can experience success in one area, while striving to improve another. Your life isn't a destination of success, it's a journey of many successes, failures, learning moments and improvements, more failures and changes. It never ends. Ever.
Does that feel like being trapped on a hamster wheel?
Success can mean what you want, from an overall picture of your life to very small and specific goals. I find that it's helpful to compartmentalize my life to find successes and opportunities to improve. If you only achieve success when you're "done" - will you ever know success?
I was telling a new person in my 6pm workout that the exercise that is difficult today will be their warm up tomorrow (figurative time, of course). I shared with them that when I started working out, 10 push ups was really hard. On my toes? No chance. But now? Well, I don't do them any other way. Even that little thing, the difference between a push up on your knees and one on your toes, THAT good people, is a success! But that doesn't mean I have to stop improving - now it's time to experiment with different hand positions, TRX push ups, incline push ups, and on and on and on...
Tonight, the new person's success was MAKING TIME for their workout. As a beginner, it's easy to say, "I'm too tired" or "I'm still sore from the other day" or "I'll workout tomorrow." But they didn't make excuses, they got themselves dressed, and out the door, and put in the work. THAT is a success!
I was tired after an early morning, long frustrating day in the office and teaching a class at the studio, and I wanted to skip out on my healthy dinner and grab something "to go." But I didn't. Remembering my Whole Life and how nutrition plays a huge role, I came home and cooked a delicious and healthy meal (and now I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!). THAT was a success!
I'm working on a habit of writing for 2 hours per week. When I accomplish my goal, week by week, that is success! I'm instilling a habit that will help me get closer to what I've decided is part of my vision of success. For now, writing is enough. But I'll tweak it and change it and improve it... but HOW?!
I've done some reading on the subject - like I said, I've been thinking a lot about it lately - and it seems that there are eight steps that help you know the what, why and how are of YOUR success.
1. IDENTIFY your purpose.2. Determine WHY you want what you want.
3. Document your VISION. Tell someone.
4. Make a mental blueprint of your success. VISUALIZE it!
5. Find a ROLE MODEL.
6. Take ACTION!
Whether it's your education, your job, your faith, your family, your health and fitness, you financial situation, or whatever, I feel like these 6 steps can help you move forward. But here are the next two steps, probably the most important...
7. EVALUATE your progress.
8. Continually ADJUST to improve.
Not only will we experience set backs in our journey, but we may come to understand that our vision of success has changed. And so our action plan must change with it. We can plan to continually improve, through small and manageable changes. We can commit to continued learning and growth in all the areas of our lives. I chuckle a little here - I kid about it really, but have you seen the MCC commercial with the elderly woman who says, "I never want to stop learning!" THAT'S who I want to be when I grow up! Someone hungry to learn and do more, someone who looks for ways to enrich not only her life, but the lives of those around her. Someone who is making a positive impact in her world. THAT is a view of success I can get behind.
I read another article and I found a phrase that really resonated with me, "No one likes to be should upon." That "S" word. Should. Woulda Coulda Shoulda. Let's take the "should" out of our success story. Should is a comparing word - comparing to an ideal that maybe doesn't work for you anymore, Comparing to others, who are different people than you. Comparing to a vision of success that isn't yours. Kick it out! NO SHOULDs ALLOWED!!
I think you guys are all picking up what I'm putting down. Living a successful life is unique and our own. It starts with and ideal and ends with growth, opportunities, and experiences (both good and bad) that will shape us, and our vision of success.
So, if you see success, take a good look at it. Smile, Wave. Heck, give it a hug. And then say goodbye so you can look for a newer better success.
What successes are you working for? Small goals and habits? A larger life milestone? I'd love to hear about your success markers and how you've supported your process to success!
What successes are you working for? Small goals and habits? A larger life milestone? I'd love to hear about your success markers and how you've supported your process to success!
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**By the way, including this blog entry, I've found another success this week! Wooohooo!!**
Until next time,
<3 Jen
