Are you Successful ?
Well ? Are you successful ? Is that a question you ask yourself or is it one that gets thrown at you from time to time. If the latter, then it's normally in one of 'those' conversations. You know the one, where you're trying to justify yourself to someone who has absolutely no respect for what it is you're trying to achieve.
I've started this post because I've just started roughing out a post for the site and it's about the struggle many of us have when it comes to other peoples opinions about what we do. This made me think about how much we need to back ourselves and one way to do that is to reinforce the conversation we can have with ourselves about success.
I might touch on that again in a bit but for now, let's focus on the joyous side, if you will, please.
If we rephrase the question, it might help. How about, Am I successful ? That's better, now we can get into it.
We all have different aspirations when it comes to what constitutes success. We have to be careful not to judge our own levels with those of others. That doesn't mean we can't aspire to theirs. What makes someone else successful in your eyes is not the same as how you gauge your own success. How do I mean ?
Bringing it down to the 'base' level. Money. Whatever your reasons for becoming part of this
wonderful institution, one of the key factors may well be trying to earn extra revenue. I know this might not be the case for some and if truth be told, it's not for me. It is, however, the mainstay of many. The question is, how much makes you successful and in what time span. You have to be honest with yourselves here because if you're not then you'll never have that wonderful feeling that success brings.
Rather than going into the depths of all the reasons you might be here and how that connects to what your goals are, I'll surmise that you have a figure in you head and an amount of time allotted to get to that figure. If it's realistic then nothing should stop you from getting there. Everything you need is right here, backed up by a huge community with a wealth of knowledge that they are happy to share
As being someone who has looked into the 'Abyss' on more than one occasion, I can safely say it doesn't take much to make me feel successful. In fact, one of my favourite sayings is:
"Everyday above ground is a good day"
So you see, if I keep that sentiment near and dear then I am always going to be upbeat. In fact, I am always upbeat, sickeningly so in some peoples eyes. Well, there's nothing I can do about what other people think, that would put me on a 'hiding to nothing.'
So, it's time to start putting things into perspective. It's time you realised how much you're achieving. It may not be healthy to look negatively on how you compare to others who are ahead of the game, so to speak.
You can, however, look positively on your own accomplishments in comparison to what others around you haven't done and never will.
- You made a decision to make a change in your life to create a better future.
- You've invested in yourself just by being here at WA.
- You now have a unique piece of internet real estate, with your website.
- Your website is like no one else's in the entire world.
- You've created content for your site that is unique.
- Your work has been indexed by Google and can be seen by anyone, across the world.
- When someone visits your site you have changed them, even if it is just a thought they would not have had before coming across your work.
- You're able to interact with other people and influence how they think and the choices they make.
- You are giving, helping and growing.
Now, the above list is not extensive, by any means. Hopefully, you will look upon it and start to add other things. Patting ourselves on the back isn't always the easiest of things to do, or even recognising that we deserve one either.
This post hasn't been about the 'Naysayers' or those who look at you blankly when you tell them what you do. It's about you believing in yourself and recognising that you are doing something quite remarkable that will change the course of your life and that of many, many others along the way.
Recent Comments
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Similar to you writing this post, Twack, I'm in the process of writing a post 'inspired' from a reaction received from someone when I mentioned my interest in affiliate marketing. For a minute or two I felt like something crawling on the ground. Amazing how the minds of some people function.
A great post, Twack. Thank you.
Thanks Valerie. I have enough trouble understanding my own mind let alone anyone else's. I look forward to reading your post.
You speak truth. I would like to make some money, yes. At some point it will become a need. However, I feel I'm already a success because I'm living my life the way I want to live it. What more can one ask for?
Hi Twack, great post.
My favorite idea of success is taken from a quote I heard long ago... "success is the progressive realization of a worthwhile dream or goal" (author unknown).
I am successful in that I am progressing towards my goal/dream. It is not based on money (wealth), but that will come the more I realize my goal.
I have lived most of my life thinking of myself, and no my goal is focused on giving back, serving others. Helping and encouraging others to reach out for something better than just making a living.
Thanks for sharing.
Ray
Thank you Ray, a wonderful quote intertwined with some very honest words. I look back with no regrets, knowing that I now look forward through the eyes of someone who has become who he is because of the past but is not held back by it.
You have a great outlook Ray.
I have written 4 different answers to this.
I will say, success for me currently is standing back up each time I get knocked down, and using that to help and inspire others to do the same.
Success currently is getting up and writing on my website, with an unwavering faith that this is the way, to stop getting knocked down.
Success is contributing to this community.
Success FOR ME is realising that I don't agree with Kyles post that we are in competition, I believe that is an illusion, that has kept me exhausted most of my life. There is no need to compete only to connect, there is enough and a place for everyone side by side.
Success is keeping my mind open and daring to keep dreaming.
Another great post.
"If you don't know about pain and trouble, you're in sad shape. They make you appreciate life."
"A man can fall many times in life, but he's never a failure until he refuses to get back up."
"You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself."
All three attributed to Evel Knievel. Maybe not everyone's favourite but a quote's a quote. Especially so, when they make sense in context.
My bad, I've not read Kyles post yet.
To stop getting 'knocked down' I've been working on moving out of the way.
Thank you Sara for such an honest reply.
You know I do love a good quote or 3 🤣 I’ll try working on moving out of the way 🤔. Good plan.
BOOM!
Dr Prof Twack,
Great post covers a lot of mental real estate across the worldwide WA community.
I have gained so much more clarity as to where I am going even if the path I will be taking is not the most traveled one here.
You are right that each one of us needs to take account of their journey and intended destination before grading it as a success or lack thereof.
My only regret is that way too many will not heed advice when they are burnt out but rather either persist on the predictable way to nowhere or just give up.
"People forget years, but remember moments" Ann Beattie
WHAT [IF ANY] WILL EACH ONE OF US WILL REMEMBER?
In short, for me success would spell out FREEDOM and, in that sense, if a certain income level needs to be reached, hopefully by the path I have taken, it would also mean that my direction was the right one to undertake.
"Tuvia Bielski: Everyday of freedom is an act of faith." (from the movie "Defiance")
Blessings!
Daniel Craig, the man of a thousand 'Pouts' I wonder if you've seen Pan's Labyrinth ?
I seem to be working with a 'theme' at present. That of being aware of our own potential, maybe. At least being able to recognise the fact that we are indeed doing something of note with our lives.
The pressure of being 'successful' is more from those around than from ourselves. yet we seem destined to 'perform'. So your point about 'Burnt out' is a salient one. Were we more apt to be confident in our own progress rather than seeing it through the eyes of others, then maybe less would fall by the wayside.
Always a pleasure Gabriel.
BOOM!
Prof Dr Twack
We are in the space of talking about the two sides of the same coin (glass half empty half full like argument).
Therein lies a fine line of balancing.
How much of being self critical is OK vs how much of being confident is OK.
The other variable there is TIME.
Let us take a simple example.
Be it business or personal, when 2 people are to meet at a specified place, date and time they mutually agreed upon, should one of them, for whatever reason, fail to show up "on time" (accounting for the proverbial 15 minutes delay), the one person waiting will surely in TIME lose confidence in the other because too much TIME has gone by (regardless of whether there was a good reason for the delay or nottttt).
Try to apply that to our space as aspiring successful entrepreneurs, if we've done all we were supposed to do on our end, but the outcome is not the one we expected, what are the options at that point?
I would say 2 at best: 1. quit or 2. change the marketing approach.
How does on defien how much TIME is too much?
Each person has his/her limits on that.
YET...
Without reaching out for help, some choose to quit, disappointed, worn out, alone, misunderstood.
Words of encouragement become void of meaning at some point.
A better approach is to offer real, fast and actionable advice to restart that which had almost been lost. One's dreams.
We cannot be sellers of dreams. We have to be in the dream fulfillment business.
If we do so, we will have success.
And so will those we've rescued from quitting.
Blessings!
Time, is indeed, of the essence. Providing a solution to a question that hasn't been asked if one doesn't have a grasp on the importance of time.
Success however has a different formula but one that again, either half fills or half empties the glass. If we were to share a glass, I would have the bottom half but would also need to drink first. Of course not, just my mirth. Back to the formula:
1) Know your outcome
2) Know why you want that outcome
3) Take action towards that outcome
4) Monitor your results-know what you're getting and is your action working.
5) If it's not working, change your approach.
This is the succinct version of a much longer audio program by Tony Robbins, It's not a unique approach but is a valid one methinks. Again though, time is not a factor but, as you rightly point out, it can be.
Either way, whichever 'change' is necessary has to be a better alternative than 'quitting'
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Yes indeed Twack,
If we don’t believe in ourselves how can anyone else believe in us.
Your quote reminds me of something my Grandpa used to say,”if you’re looking at the green side of the grass you’re having a good day.”
Thanks for sharing the positive message we all needed.
KyleAnn
Thank you KyleAnn
Such a great quote from your Grandpa. Time for us to shout it from the rooftops.
Thanks! He was one of the smartest people I’ve known, and I don’t think he ever finished high school.