Section 1: What is Success?

Of all desires of the human heart one of the most universal is the desire to be successful. Millions would sacrifice anything to be regarded by others as “successful.” Unfortunately, the way that we as society tend to define success is in very superficial and finite terms. We tend to erroneously measure success in levels of financial wealth, power, fame, luxury, prestige, and recognition. Measuring success by material and perishable means does very little to satisfy the spirit of mankind which is intangible and eternal. 

True success is as individual, unique and eternal as your personal purpose. True success requires clarity, confidence and courageousness regarding your personal purpose. Therefore, the true measure of success is not in material possessions or someone else’s opinion. Instead, true success is evidenced by purpose and measured by obedience. Success has very little to do with what you accumulate, possess or achieve. We must be prudent in understanding that while there are things that we may deem wonderful that material success can buy, we must also consider the heavy price that is exacted in the process. 

Living with purpose is the difference between being busy and being effective.When we fail to prioritize fulfilling our purpose, we not only deprive ourselves but also rob those we are meant to serve of the solutions we are uniquely positioned to provide for our generation. We, as society, have confused success with fulfillment, accomplishment with satisfaction, and achievement with peace. Few of us ever stop to develop a personal and meaningful definition of success that allows us to thrive as well as strive. 

True success is achieved only when you fulfill the purpose for which you were created. As you can recall from the last unit, it is dangerous to do good at the expense of doing the right thing. Be careful not to confuse right with good, famous, big, easy, acceptable or popular. Many of these things that appear like “good” things are rooted in comparison or other people's opinions. Yet, success is not what you have done compared to what others have done, but what you have done compared to what you were supposed to do.

What is Success?

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