A few months back I was helping to design the header graphic for a new blog that was being launched. The blog’s content focused on how to achieve ‘success’ in business. And while trying to design a logo that communicated ‘success’, I realized that I had no idea what the heck ‘success’ meant.
I mean, I knew what it meant to me personally but I doubted that the client viewed ‘success’ in the same light that I did. I realized that the term ‘success’ means absolutely nothing unless you look at its owner.
Success According to the Dictionary
By definition success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. So unless you know what purpose was trying to be achieved, you can’t possibly know if something is successful.
Take Twitter for example, the company has millions of users and most of us would argue that the application is a ‘success’. But if the purpose of Twitter was to generate money, the endeavour is not a ‘success’ as they have not yet figured out how to make it profitable.
Making Money ≠ Success
It seems like more often than not the media uses the term ‘success’ synonymously with money. If you make money you are a ‘success’. I say bollocks to their short-sightedness.
You are a success if you achieve your purpose, regardless of whether money is involved. That is why it is so important to take the time to know what your purpose is. If you don’t know where you are going (purpose), you’ll never get there (success). Money, of course, will be a part of it because we all need to live, but where does it sit on your lists of motivators? How do you define the achievement of success?
My Success = My Purpose Realized
Success to me is:
- Personal growth
- Authentic expression
- Making a difference and helping others
- Ability to travel
- Income generation