Your Personal Meaning of Success - What is it?

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." ~Arnold H. Glasow

This really is a great quote. Not only is it interesting but also inspiring.

One of the truths that I find most frustrating as a transformational spirituality teacher and a life coach, is that many people believe that success, in whatever field of endeavor they are currently striving, is rather like winning the lottery. In fact, it certainly seems from the evidence that they in fact believe that success is even more random because they aren't even buying a ticket. They are simply passively waiting.

If you listen to how people talk you won't hear many people voicing this opinion of success but look around you and watch what people are actually doing--or rather not doing--and you will quickly see what I mean.

Many people want things--they want to be rich, they want to be at the top of their profession, they want a successful marriage, they want to raise great kids, they want to be respected in their community, and so on.

You Must "Do" to Have

But what do they do to achieve this success? Are they working both hard and smart toward their financial goals and living frugally while they do so?  Are they constantly learning and striving at their job?  Are they showing their spouse love, consideration, understanding, and generosity?  Are they spending time with their children both modeling how to be a good person and being generous with their love and understanding?  Are they regularly proving themselves an asset within their community by being a good neighbor in every sense of the word?

We all know that we must accomplish these tasks and be successful in those areas, but we are also acutely aware that something is missing as well. It all come down to what success means to you.

Your Personal Definition of Success
 
So let me ask you a question.  How do you define success?

Is it money, career, love, marriage, family, friendship, respect, community?

For me, success is primarily about love. How many lives do I touch with mine? How many hearts?  Who has been changed by my existence in a positive way?

Your definition of success will also help you zero in on your personal value system - or that which you hold most sacred for your self. Your core values influence the way in which you behave, act, and how you live your life.

Define Your Meaning of Success - Write Your Own Obituary

The best way to define your meaning of success is by writing your own obituary. Over 250 years ago Alfred Nobel saw his obituary in the newspaper. His legacy?  The man who created dynamite.  The obituary was a result of faulty information, but never-the-less, Swedish Scientist Alfred Nobel took notice and  decided to create something positive that could be remembered forever - The Nobel Peace Prize!

When you write your own obituary and record how you want the world to remember you, and what skills that you contributed to make the world better place you set your Spirit on fire!  You get a clear glimpse of not only what success means to you, but also of your own unique greatness and what it is you have to share with the world.

When you are able to do this you will set not only your life, but also your world on fire.  If you truly want this particular definition of success then we will set ourselves on fire and avoid the possibility of spontaneous combustion.

## Copyright 2014, by Dar "Dardarji" Payment. All rights reserved. If you would like some additional information on self improvement, meditation, and spirituality go to http://www.transformationalspirituality.com/ to down load free ebooks, mp3's, and other resources. Like us on Facebook!