Designing your life. Defining Success.

What is your definition of success? Is it living in a big, beautiful home, driving a Lexus or an Expedition? Is it having money in the bank and investments? Maybe, success to you is having good health and the ability to play in the yard with your children or work in the garden. We all have our own definition of success.

 
Yet, when is the last time you really thought about what being successful means to you? We’ve all heard, “thoughts are things.” It is imperative that we give our definition clarity. If I’m not directing my future, who is? Don’t cop out on me and say, “God.” We are given free will. What are you doing with that free will?
 
What motivates you? What wakes you up in the middle of the night? What’s more important; money, family, fitness, spirituality? What order would you place such concepts? Those are just a few items that may be on the list. For most of us, it is easy to put those in order of priority.
 
Extend the list. Let’s add concepts such as mental health, happiness, physical appearance, sex, popularity, companionship, and anything else that might contribute to your definition of success. Make a list. Then prioritize that list.
 
Is it more important to be debt free with an unlimited cash flow or, have a loving, healthy family? I hope that was easy to answer. Let’s consider something more difficult, true love vs. companionship. Then, take that priority and compare it with sex. If I could only pick one, would it be great sex or true love? Create a specific list of priorities in order to challenge and create your ultimate definition of success.
 
If you’re in a courtship, create a list together and prioritize them separately. Comparing your lists could be an eye-opening experience. I should have bailed out of a previous relationship the minute I saw items such as physical appearance, sex and money in the top five on his list. Now, of course, if you’re married, you have to create and prioritize this list together.
 
Can you have it all? If you saw the 1997 Warner Brother’s movie, Devil’s Advocate, with Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, you’d surely say, “No!” Keanu’s character nearly trades the life of his loving wife for his career. It’s not an overnight trade. The process sneaks up so gradually, he doesn’t see it happening.
 
Are you paying attention? If you know your definition of success, know the possible sacrifices, know the signs of danger to other priorities, know the requirements and the rewards, you can design the most fulfilling and desirable life. Yes, I believe one may have it all.
 
Don’t wait. Start now.