How Do You Define Success

Stop Copying Their Meaning and Create Your own

Success is anything you want it to be. It can be money, a big boat or home. Or it can be something that you can’t see, touch, feel, drive, or wear. Your definition of success is yours. It belongs to no one else.

Problem: we define success based on what other people say success is for them. We simply copy their meaning of success and make it our own. Maybe because we never gave it thought. Some of you may think that you’ll never be successful. This is wrong!

The accumulation of stuff is not success. However, many think it is. We’ve heard the saying, “money cannot buy happiness.” Yes, we know this to be true. The stories, documentaries and books written on successful people, that went broke because success for them meant “stuff.”

I love the work that The Minimalist do. Where happiness and success is not defined by “stuffitis” as they call it. A great exercise is to look at people you feel are successful and dissect it. Break it open. Questions to ask yourself:

What made them successful?

What about them is motivating?

What obstacles have they overcome?

What lessons have they learned?

What failures have they gone through?

What can I learn from them?

What does their success mean for me?

Remember success is what you want it to mean.

For me success is an empty calendar. Where I get to decide what goes in and more importantly what doesn’t. It’s free from obligations and the need to pursue money. Especially a job I hate or a business idea that does not represent what I believe in. Nothing takes my time away from what I find important. This is a success for me. A life built on experience, memories and love. Where I can drop off and pick up my daughter everyday from school. Success is the ability to spontaneously and strategically act in line with what I value.

Success is often described as having “stuff.” I like stuff, but that is not success. When you are on your deathbed are you going to be thinking of the sports car? Or the cash you have in the bank? No. I’ve never seen a brinks truck follow a hearse. None of it goes with you. And sure you can pass it down when you die. What’s more impactful is for your heirs to remember the love you expressed, the time you spent with them and the experiences you had together. THAT is Success.

Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read on money, marriage, parenting, self-improvement, development and his thoughts. Dan is also Founder/Creator of Roman Solutions, a Personal Finance Firm that currently provides coaching and education.

To connect with Dan visit: https://linktr.ee/bydanroman

Or by email : financialdifference@danromansolutions.com