Define Success – Big House? Fancy Car? Or….Just Happiness?
It was not until I found myself laying in a hospital bed last June that I was finally able to define success. Prior to landing in the hospital I was a very successful salesman in corporate America. I had reached a 6-figure a year income and I was quickly climbing the “corporate ladder.”
At this time, I was living to work and not working to live. I was completely oblivious to the fact that I was completely neglecting my family, friends and health.
90% of the people that I ask this exact question cannot come up with an answer. Why? Because they have never tried to answer it. For some, success is a giant multimillion dollar house with a Ferrari in the garage.
For others, success is running their own business, or finally paying off all their credit cards and being debt free! For a few, success is living the life that they were meant to live. There is not a clear definition of “Success.”
Prior to June of 2011 my definition of success was something along the lines of this: I define success as working hard, having a big job title and making as money as possible.
By following this definition I ended up having a mini-stroke at the age of 31. My body completely shut down one night. While my wife and I were out on “date-night” I got dizzy, passed out and the next thing I knew I was being rushed to the hospital.
How Do You Define Success?
90% of the people that I ask this exact question cannot come up with an answer. Why? Because they have never tried to answer it. For some, success is a giant multimillion dollar house with a Ferrari in the garage.
For others, success is finally paying off all their credit cards and being debt free! For a few, success is living the life that they were meant to live. There is not a clear definition of “Success.”
Prior to June of 2011 my definition of success was something along the lines of this: I define success as working hard, having a big job title and making as money as possible.
By following this definition I ended up having a mini-stroke at the age of 31. My body completely shut down one night. While my wife and I were out on “date-night” I got dizzy, passed out and the next thing I knew I was being rushed to the hospital.
During this time I was working 70+ hours a week, not getting much sleep and constantly stressed over project deadlines and meetings. My body finally said, “enough is enough.”
So as I laid in the hospital bed and listened to the heart rate monitor I asked myself one simple question, “Why do I exist?” Throughout my career I have always been a “manager” because I really enjoy helping people. I love watching others grow in their career path.
How I Define Success: “I exist to help others define their success by coaching them through their fears and giving them the tools to succeed.”
By answering this one simple question I was able to redefine my definition of success. Success to me is no longer a big paycheck, a big “job title,” or climbing the corporate ladder.
Success to me is being a wonderful husband to my wife. Success to me is being a loving and caring father to my two children. Success to me is making a positive difference in as many lives as possible. That is how I define success!