How Do You Define Success

Title:
How Do You Define Success?

Word Count:
495

Summary:
If we really want this success then we will set ourselves on fire. We won't wait for spontaneous combustion.


Keywords:
inspiration, motivation, success, dream, fire


Article Body:
"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 teacher and a 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 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. 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 as I set them out to achieve success in these areas. Probably I missed something as well. I am hardly a model of success in every area. I would in fact describe myself as fair to middling. {g} I am certainly not rich but the bills get paid and our basics and then some are covered without too much stress. My boss, peers, and subordinates think I am doing a pretty good job as well as those that I serve professionally. While my marriage is in fairly good shape I know I could certainly put more into it. I think I have a great kid but know well my failings as a mother. I contribute to my community but no where near the level that I could or should.

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 postive way? I hope that people judge me as a good person and that if I died tomorrow that there would be great mourning.

If we really want this success then we will set ourselves on fire. We won't wait for spontaneous combustion.

BONUS : Title:
How Do You View Your Debt?

Word Count:
439

Summary:
How Do You View Your Debt?

Are you loaded down with debt? Do you feel like there is no way out? Have you ever thought that how you view debt might be the problem?

Every aspect of your life, at some point, you wanted. You say “I didn’t want the debt”, but you wanted the thing that came along with the debt, or whatever you exchanged for the debt; maybe it was a house, the car or the car repairs, the clothes.

Debt was just a way to live a certain dream - a means to an...


Keywords:
debt,gas,cash,christmas,meaning,gifts,payday,mortgage,sleep,home,purchase,kids,feed,dreams,ulcer,car


Article Body:
How Do You View Your Debt?

Are you loaded down with debt? Do you feel like there is no way out? Have you ever thought that how you view debt might be the problem?

Every aspect of your life, at some point, you wanted. You say “I didn’t want the debt”, but you wanted the thing that came along with the debt, or whatever you exchanged for the debt; maybe it was a house, the car or the car repairs, the clothes.

Debt was just a way to live a certain dream - a means to an end - a way for you to get to your dream faster. Now granted, it may not have been a well planned out dream, but it was a dream just the same.

Think about a debt you have, no matter how big or small. What did you get for that debt? Think about it.

You received something in return for the debt - an equal exchange - but right now, you think what you received was far less than the debt you now carry around.

Think back before the debt, back to the point where you wanted that particular thing, where no debt was too great just as long as you got what you wanted.

Back then you didn’t think what you were receiving was small. Actually you thought the deal was pretty fair, or else you wouldn’t have entered into the debt to begin with. For the most part you not only thought it was fair, but that you got the far better deal!

What has debt done for you?

Most will say nothing, or made me angry, or made me have a horrible ulcer worrying about it, but what has debt really done for you? It allowed you some comfort!!

For some people debt allowed an extra night of sleep knowing they could pay the mortgage on time. For some it was to be able to purchase a home. For others, it was the ability to feed their kids when they had no cash, buy gas, or hold them over till it was payday…For some it was Christmas gifts, but you fast forward a few years, and now this same debt is a horrible thing. Amazing how time changes our perception of things.

Take away the debt you are complaining about, and remember the GIFT this debt brought with it. How different would your life be right now without that?

How has time and thought changed the meaning of your debts?

This article is excerpted from the e-book ‘You are Already Living the Life of Your Dreams’ by Ophelia Nicholson.