Oftentimes, when we think in terms of success, we hold ourselves and others to a very high standard. Before proceeding with this article, I ask only one thing of you: define what success means in your mind.
I am sure by now a lot of different things have come to mind. For many, success equates to making it big in life. However, success is something that means different things to different people. I bet if you asked everyone in your home to define success, they would all have a different vision in line. And that’s okay. But, it’s also important to give ourselves credit where credit is due.
Just because you aren’t a multi-millionaire living it up in Hollywood, does not mean that you are not successful. Really, when it comes down to it, you can be successful and not even be rich. Our success in life isn’t necessarily confined and placed in this little box that we must conform to. So, if you feel like you aren’t where you want to be just yet, check in with the following.
1. You know what you want in life.
When asked, you have a clear vision for your life. Even if that vision is much different than what others equate to success, having a vision for what you want from life is extremely important. Without the vision, you have no idea what direction to take. So, the vision is much of the battle.
2. You haven’t given up on your dreams.
A lot of people dream big, but when the going gets tough, they back down. “It’s too hard,” they say, or, “I already failed once,” they say. But, the thing is- you haven’t failed until you give up. As long as you are trying and continue to make real efforts towards your dream, you are doing what makes you experience fulfillment. And that by itself feels pretty successful if you ask me.
3. You have a big heart.
Having empathy and compassion for others is a major aspect of growth. And a lot of people spend much of their lives either fighting this part of themselves or developing it, slowly. If you are already an empathetic, kind-hearted, and considerate human, well, you are successful then, and I don’t care what anyone else has to say about it!
4. You aren’t afraid of failure.
Many people are driven by the fear of failure. So much so, that they avoid even trying to reach for their dreams. But, how do you ever achieve what you want if you never even try? Unfortunately, you don’t. So, if you are someone who doesn’t fear failure and who puts everything you’ve got into your goals, you are successful.
5. You can do pretty much anything you set your mind to (as long as you put in the work.)
Success doesn’t just happen to people. It is something that is worked for, maintained, and takes time to accumulate. Much of it is in our mindset. If you approach something, put your entire mind and focus on it, and find that you can pretty easily accomplish your goals in this way, then you my friend are successful!
6. You are humble.
Have you ever met someone who could not face their weaknesses and downfalls so much that they almost appeared delusional? Being humble is a superpower. It means admitting that you aren’t always right and letting your ego move to the side. Being able to do this opens us up to so many opportunities for growth. Because you have to see that you have a weakness to overcome it.
7. You are a survivor, not a victim.
In life, we can take two paths: we can fall down in the face of adversity and decide to blame everything that goes wrong in our life on outside forces. Or, we can stand up and say, “I am going to get through this, no matter what.” If you are the latter, then you are successful.
8. You are disciplined.
In a world with quick conveniences and creature comforts that are not only affordable but easily accessible, being disciplined isn’t easy. If you look around you, that becomes obvious. You have to really want more for yourself to stand up and do what it takes to accomplish it, and you have to fight yourself and the world around you tooth and nail to maintain that discipline. If you are someone who is disciplined and is working to be more and more disciplined, then that is a success.