The 5th of August in 2008 was a big day for me: I was able to set up my very first blog! Oh boy, you can’t imagine all the re-installs of images, widgets, the coding and I don’t know what else. But finally, I did it. And yesterday, I showed this whole new blog to a close friend of mine. His reaction was quite surprising to me. He went like: “Oh yeah, that success stuff.” With a quite negative vibration, if you get the idea 
I guess, my proper reaction on this was a bit… let’s say, I was not overwhelmed. But OK, my friend was concentrating on the title itself, I was more focused on all the effort I put into the installation.
Nevertheless, my friend’s reaction brings me to this: is the word “success” – and everything that is attached to it – really like worn-out today? If so, why is that?
OK, I have to admit that “success” has more than one definition. According to WordNet, “success” is “a state of prosperity or fame”. Alright, so that’s it! Do we see success always in this kind of light? You are only successful when you live in prosperity and fame? Oh, great! If this is the case, I’m no longer surprised of my friend’s reaction to the title of my blog.
But – don’t forget the other definition of success: it is also “an attainment that is successful” or “an event that accomplishes its intended purpose” (see WordNet for further details). And this is where it gets interesting: success is not ALWAYS prosperity and fame. Very often there are the small things that have value, not the big ones. Imagine someone fighting to loose weight (am I talking about me?). Dropping down a few pounds per month does not make him (or her) prosper or famous, BUT for him (or her) it is an attainment that is successful, he (or she) has success. He (or she) feels good! And he (or she) will get motivated through the roof to continue!
Isn’t that the definition of success we should get used to? The small things mean a lot. The small steps that lead to a bigger picture. Prosperity and fame do not always mean success. Think about the “bold and the beautiful” (actors, pop icons or models, have a look at the news…): they are prosper, they have fame, but are they really successful? In money terms perhaps, but that’s all!
We really should get used to the smaller things, small steps that bring you along the way, that help you to focus on the purpose and to accomplish this purpose, both in private and professional life!
To your success!
Bjorn
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
i wonder who this close friend might be…
nevertheless: good point of view. for many people the idea of success is closely related to fame and money. but success could and should be defined in many more terms. have i been successfull today? oh yes! i succeeded in getting up early this morning… hard job, believe me!
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