Humanity is united in the passion for success. Perhaps, there is no emotional feeling that is commonly shared among men than the passion for success. The fact is not just that everyone wants to be a success, but that no one wants to be associated with a failure. People channel a great deal of efforts towards activities (or group of activities) that (they are convinced) will help them succeed. Despite this, success remains, and will continue to remain, beyond the reach of many. This shows that the road to success is narrow. Though everyone naturally desires success, it will amaze you to know that you will get different views of success if you ask different people to define success.
Experience and observations show that though the desire for success is common, there are divergent notions of success among different people. It may interest you to know that many people's definitions and conceptions of success are erroneous and misleading, and consequently, unacceptable. Some people vigorously pursue what they sincerely misconceive as success, only to become unhappier in life after accomplishing them. This is why it is important that you understand the meaning of success before you start pursuing it. This is why Steven Covey remarks that you should ensure that the ladder is leaning on the right building before you start scrambling up.
What is the meaning of success? Success can be defined in two senses - the general sense and the strict sense. In the general sense, success is the accomplishment of a set goal. There are some implications of this definition. The first implication is that you achieve success whenever you are able to translate a set goal to reality. Another implication of this definition is that success necessarily entails accomplishment. Hence, there is nothing like partial success. Another implication of this definition of success, which is very important, is that success is necessarily related to a set goal. Hence, you cannot succeed in a goal you did not set. Goal setting is the beginning of success.
However, there are some demerits of this definition of success. The major limitation is that it says nothing about the moral value of an accomplished set goal. If success is the accomplishment of a set goal, you succeed once you are able to translate a set goal to reality, even if the accomplished set goal is immoral. This is why success should be defined as the accomplishment of a set worthy goal. Every accomplishment should excel some moral examination before it can be accepted as success. This is why success necessarily leads to, and increases, happiness. This definition also implies that every accomplishment should be socially acceptable before it can be said to be a success.
In the strict sense, success can be defined as striving for balance in every aspect of life. This definition of success is very important because it corrects some wrong notions of success. For instance, an average adult defines success from the financial point of view. This is why rich people and celebrities are easily said to be successful. This is a very wrong notion of success. Financial success is success in an aspect of life, not success in life. Equating financial success with success is synonymous with equating a part to the whole. Success necessarily has to do with striving for balance in every aspect of life. There is the need to justify this claim with practical examples.
Can a man who excels in his public life be said to be a success if he fails in his family life, especially through his own fault? Indeed, such a man cannot, and should not, be described as a success. According to the late German Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, "No success in a man's public life can compensate for his failure at home." In other words, true success starts from home. What if a man excels in his academic career but lacks character; can he be described as a success? The answer is obviously no. According to Mahatma Gandhi, "Education without character is one of the seven deadly sins of a nation." Besides, a truly educated man is worthy in learning and character.
The key factor the latter definition of success emphasises is that an individual's success status should not be ascertained with recourse to a single standard. This is a major mistake in many people's reasoning. This is also why many people become unhappy after accomplishing what they pursue single mindedly with the conviction that it is success. The pursuit of success in an aspect of life regardless of the consequences on other aspects is often the beginning of self-destruction. It is better to be average in all aspects of life than to be the best in some aspects but the worst in some other aspects. Set goals in all aspects of your life and pursue them vigorously.
Written by Eugene C Onyibo
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Eugene_C._Onyibo/1291199
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