What Is Success?

     The meaning of success is often debated but I'm going to keep it very, very simple:

     Success = a desired outcome.

     So, success is whatever it means to you.  It looks different for everybody.

     

     I'll guess that since you're here, you have a desire to build a fulfilling life.  This blog isn't about becoming someone you're not. It's about living a life of passion and becoming your best, happiest, most authentic YOU.  I'm not pushing "big" dreams on you.  Perhaps a simple life with loved ones is your true calling.  I just want you to know that you're not limited to living any certain way... and that if the bigger things are what you truly desire, you should go for them!

Suggested:  Finding Your Passion,

8 Choices Successful People Make

8 Choices Successful People Make

      Success is achieved by making the right choices.  Here are 8 things that most people who build their best lives choose to do:

1.   Successful people set specific goals.  They break larger goals into a series of smaller goals, and they come up with a plan to achieve them.  They make it a priority to adhere to this plan.  They keep their goals at the forefront of their minds and often visualize themselves achieving them.

2.   Successful people make sacrifices to reach their goals.  They are willing to pay the price to increase their long-term happiness. They accept that they will have to give up comfort, time, and/or money as part of the process.  Average people tend to sacrifice growth instead.

3.   Successful people use self-discipline.  They do what they need to do whether they feel like it or not.  They persevere when times get tough.  They know that their daily routines will determine their future, so they are dedicated to maintaining habits that will help them reach their goals.

4.   Successful people get out of their comfort zones.  This is essential for growth.  They know that great things often have very uncomfortable beginnings, so they take the leap and push through their discomfort.  The more often they do this, the easier it becomes.

5.   Successful people figure out how to make a living doing what they love.  They follow their passion and they are enthusiastic about what they do.  This increases their energy and helps them build momentum that propels them toward success.

     Successful people often make an income by finding solutions to problems, such as inventing products or providing services.  They get paid for their ideas.

     To achieve financial freedom, many successful people work hard to obtain multiple sources of income.  This often includes both active and passive income.  They live below their means - they do not spend more than they earn. 

6.   Successful people use their time wisely.  They spend much less time watching TV or scrolling through social media than the average person.  This frees up a ton of time that can be put to good use.  Remember, giving up even just one hour of unproductive screen time each day is 365 hours a year that can be put toward building your best life. 

     Successful people often plan their days ahead of time so they can jump right into action instead of wasting time.  (This includes planning time for well-deserved rest, self-care, and fun!)  They like to make use of their down time, such as catching up on e-mails while they wait at the DMV, or listening to podcasts while they commute to work.

   Successful people spend less time doing things they don't want to do (aside from what they plan to do to reach their goals, of course!).  They set boundaries about what they are and are not available for.  They say "no" without feeling guilty.  Successful people delegate tasks that they don't want to do or could be done more efficiently by somebody else, so they have more time to be productive and focus on their passions.

7.   Successful people take action.  They decide to do something and then don't entertain any opposing thoughts.  They get started even if they aren't feeling motivated.  Once they take action, they build up some momentum which causes them to feel motivated.  As they make progress, things that seemed difficult or overwhelming start to seem easier.  Taking action also provides valuable feedback and opportunities to learn, which help to accelerate their growth.

8.   Successful people are aware of how their thoughts determine their future, so they make sure to take control of their mindset.  For more about the mindset needed to succeed, view my blog about that here you haven't already.

Suggested:  31 Lessons I Learned By 31,

Are Your Dreams Worth It?

Mindset for Success (13 Beliefs/Thought Patterns)

     I did some research to learn what it is that makes some people highly successful while others are not.  The good news is that it's usually not through "luck" or natural born talent that people find success.

     The main thing that nearly all successful people have in common - that influences everything they do and every choice they make - is that they have the right mindset.

     Here are 13 beliefs/thought patterns that are common among  people who build their best lives.  (Note that these apply to the vast majority of successful people, but not every single case.)  I will post about all of these things in more detail in the future.

1.   Successful people have a clear vision in mind.  Some people don't end up living their best lives simply because they haven't decided exactly what they want.

     Successful people know how they want to feel and what will make them feel that way.  They decide what their most fulfilling future would look like and they visualize it often.

2.   Successful people dream big.  They aim for the best instead of settling for the good.  Average people tend to cut themselves off from reaching their dreams by believing "big" things are not possible for them.  Successful people know it's not through luck that people find great success but through hard work, dedication, and the right mindset.

3.   Successful people have faith in themselves.  They believe they can be, do, or have anything.  This mindset is what drives them to take steps toward their success that they never would have taken without it.

4.   Successful people operate out of a growth mindset.  They know that their skills can be developed to help them reach their goals, and they are committed to self-improvement.  Successful people are eager to learn.  They seek out advice from experts by reading books, taking coures, attending seminars or workshops, and/or hiring coaches.

5.   Successful people are future-oriented.  They think long term.  They start with the end in mind and always have their eyes on the prize.

     Because of this mindset, it is easy for them to pass up on fulfilling their short-term desires if it will lead to greater happiness in the long run.  Average people often put their day-to-day wants over their long-term goals instead.

6.   Successful people are conscious of how their thoughts create their reality.  They know that their inner world determines their outer world, so they take control of their thoughts and their programmed beliefs.  They are mindful of whether their thoughts are helping them or hurting them.  They learn to reframe negative thoughts into constructive ones.

     Successful people are aware of the power of their subconscious minds.  Therefore, they are very careful about the inner conversations they have with themselves.  They know that when the subconscious mind "hears" something, it goes to work to help make it true - whether it's good or bad.  They make it a point to avoid thoughts that don't align with their goals.

7.   Successful people have personal accountability.  They don't make excuses.  They know they've created their current circumstances.  While many people look to blame others for things they aren't happy with, successful people often like to take 100% responsibility.  They ask themselves what they could have done differently so they know what they can do better in the future.  They don't see themselves as victims.  This mentality leads to more satisfaction and happiness because it gives them a sense of control.

8.   Successful people are self-aware.  They know their true selves - what they love, what they dislike, their values, their strengths, and their weaknesses.  They stay true to their most authentic selves with every choice they make.  Successful people know that they are on their own unique journey that is not meant for anyone else to understand.  They are not concerned with the opinions or expectations of others.

9.   Successful people stay positive.  They focus on the good instead of the bad, what they have instead of what they lack, and what they can do instead of what they can't.  They know that unnecessary, unproductive worry drains energy that could have instead been put toward something they are passionate about.  They find something positive in nearly everything they experience, and they don't dwell on the negatives.

10.   Successful people are grateful for all they have and all they experience.  They are thankful for every person, every thing, and every opportunity that has ever brought them joy or helped them in any way.  This includes having gratitude for events or circumstances that have been less-than-desireable, but have taught valuable lessons or contributed to personal growth.  This mindset provides a boost in mood that helps propel them toward success.  Successful people are also grateful in advance for everything that they know is coming their way.

11.   Successful people are mindful of how valuable their time is.  It is important to them that they make every moment count.  They minimize time spent on meaningless activities so they can have more time to spend on their passions.  They are very conscious of how limited time is so they feel a sense of urgency to make the most out of their lives.

12.   Successful people are mentally tough.  They don't let obstacles deter them from achieving their goals.  While average people tend to view problems as roadblocks, successful people accept that obstacles are a normal part of the process that they will push through.  They focus on finding logical solutions to issues without getting caught up in the emotional aspects.  Overcoming obstacles makes them stronger and prepares them to conquer more in the future.

     Successful people don't let fear stand in their way.  They recognize that fear is just an emotion they will feel at some points throughout their journey and they will move through it.  This gets a bit easier every time they take action in the face of fear.

     Successful people don't let the fear of failure stop them from trying new things.  They know that they must risk failure in order to succeed.  If they fail, they don't quit - they try different things until they figure out what works.  Failure provides valuable feedback.  Successful people view failures and mistakes as learning opportunities.

13.   Successful people believe in doing what's right.  They like to pay it forward.  They operate out of abundance-based mentalities - believing there is more than enough out there for everyone - so they are not concerned with getting anything in return.

     Many successful people were raised to have more limited mindsets and had to learn how to shift their thinking in order to succeed.  They empathize with the fear-based or scarcity-based mindsets that many people operate from and they want to help and/or inspire those people.  Successful people often have a desire to have a positive impact on those around them.


     As stated earlier,  a person's mindset influences every choice they make.  It is a series of choices that determines what they experience in the future.  See my next post for more on the choices that successful people make.

Suggested:  Finding Your Passion,

Rewire Your Mind:  How to Change Your Thoughts (and Improve Your Life),

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz: Review & 10 Quotes

Success (8 Quotes)

     Nearly every quote collection I'll be posting will be related to success in some way, so here is a quick list of 8 success quotes that didn't quite fit into other categories.  Many more quotes to come.

1. "Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it."
- J.C. Penney

2. "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”
- Kalpana Chawla

3. "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."
- Pele

4. "He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much."
- James Allen

5. "People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, the more they find a way to succeed."
- Tony Robbins

6. "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
- Colin Powell

7. "What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110 percent all the time."
- Don Zimmer

8. "Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses."
- Marilyn vos Savant

See more quotes by topic here.

Suggested:  Self Development (32 Quotes),

Small Steps (15 Quotes),

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz: Review & 10 Quotes