Success is one of those words that is widely used but not necessarily well defined. We can use success in so many ways as in “huge success,” “limited success,” “Instant success”, “ultimate success”, “overall success”, “guaranteed success,” and “measured success”. Now, add some mystery to the word by saying “the secret of success” or throw in statistics, such as in “success ratio”. Usages also includes “financial success” and “celebrate your success”.

The original definition of success is simply the accomplishment of an aim or a purpose. Let’s stay with this definition and explore it: Is success a matter of being rich? … and how rich? Being famous and well known? How well known? Reaching a position of leadership, power, status? Or forget all this mambo jumbo; maybe it is simply about being happy!

Now let’s see if we have an answer to these interesting questions. 

To many, success is financial. If you have money, then you are successful. If you own things like a big house, or you live in a posh or rich neighbourhood, you must be successful. Some Rolex and Tissot watches cost in the millions of dollars. People obviously do not buy a Rolex to tell the time! It’s the same for the people who own and drive a Rolls Royce or Lamborghini. They definitely are not looking for “transportation”.

To others, however, success is demonstrated by their education or position in society, perhaps obtaining a professional designation or membership in a prestigious organisation or group. Titles are also a symbol of success as in “the honourable”, “his worship”, baron, lord, etc.

Having lived and worked in many countries, I have noticed that success can be defined differently around the world: In North America, success is predominantly tied to money and fame, that is, where you live, what you drive and what you own. In Europe, success is primarily tied to culture, family, and education. In other parts of the world, success is principally tied to your position and status in society.

Often, you will find that people continue to seek riches even when they obtained great wealth. They seek more and more of it, and before long, more and more becomes “never enough”. Many graduates who grew up with money end up seeking fame and recognition. When the applause is still not enough, they move on to wanting status, which ultimately does not satisfy them either. It seems that moving from more to better to unique is either grossly over-rated or simply a mirage. We often see this happen with actors, singers, and sports stars. They tragically suffer from substance abuse or depression, or turn to suicide, because their happiness was tied to their “success”.

So, perhaps the real goal is, indeed, happiness and not success, or if you like, success in being happy! But happiness is even more difficult to define: “a feeling of pleasure and positivity”. When someone feels good, proud, excited, or satisfied about something, that person is said to be "happy". You laugh when you are happy. But hold on, happiness sometimes causes people to cry, when they laugh the emotion takes control of them. What is that?

It seems that in the end, we all need to be happy in life. Answering that question individually should help us be happy. For some, pure contentment may mean happiness. For others, it is being a good dad/mom or daughter/son or husband/wife, or fulfillment in terms of your personal mission, your work, your natural gifting, friendships you’ve built—that is, whatever is important to you.

Let me leave you with this thought: When you reach happiness, ask yourself, am I grateful because I am happy or am I happy because I am grateful? Stay safe, be well and be happy.

(W-625)