Measuring Success by Chris Widener--Inspirational articles from Living Life Fully

Measuring Success
Chris Widener

As I have worked with people over the years I have seen an amazing thing. People often get frustrated because they aren't achieving "success." There are lots of possible reasons for this, but one reason I have found that sticks out is that many people allow their definition of "success" to be driven by someone or something else.

Instead, we ought to be looking at our own, skills, opportunities, life situations, etc., to determine what it would mean for us to be a success in our own mind rather than someone else's.

Thus, the key to "success" is all in the head -- our head! We develop our own thinking about what it will mean to become a success.

The frustration comes in when we look at what someone else thinks is a success and try to attain it, only to find it elusive.

For one person, being a success may mean to make $100,000 a year. For another it may be $250,000. Another may not be concerned with the yearly income but be more concerned with a net worth.

Still another may not be motivated by money and may consider himself a success by how many street kids he gets pointed in the right direction and into a productive life.

Now the temptation would be for the person working with street kids to think they aren't a "success" because they don't make much money. The temptation for the person making $100,000 may be to think they aren't a "success" until they make $250,000. And the temptation for the person making $250,000 may very well be to think they aren't a "success" because they aren't helping street kids! And 'round and 'round it goes when we are gauging ourselves by another's measure of success.

So my advice is this: Set your own course, and stay on course. Don't measure yourself against any other standard of success. Do what you do best and the rest will take care of itself.

Here is the truth: Being a success is doing your best, not being the best.

When we get to that point, we will experience a lot more joy and a lot less frustration. And that sounds good to me!

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Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable. Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning. I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives. What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant? In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard. Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully. Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.