Recently a friend described a local business owner to me as being successful. So being inquisitive, I asked what made him successful.He replied, "He is rich!"
Certainly attaining wealth is an important factor, but I believe that there are other important factors that make a person successful. So I decided to explore the definition of the word success and offer my findings for your review, consideration and comments.
-Success to a mother means having a healthy child that matures into a respectful, kind and caring person.
-Success to a father is when he arrives at home after a day of work, and he is warmly greeted with "daddy's home".
-A wife considers it a success when she receives appreciation for all the work and support that she constantly provides to her family.
-A husband considers it a success when he sees a smile on his wife's face.
-A teacher considers it a success when a student understands new ideas and concepts and has the ability to clearly express their viewpoints effectively.
-A student considers themselves successful when they receive an outstanding report card and know the answer to a difficult question, or when they are accepted into the college of their choice.
-A doctor considers it a success when he/she cures someone or performs a complex or delicate surgery.
-Politicians considers it a success when they are elected, or re-elected to public office, or when a constituent tells that they are doing a good job.
-A performer considers it a success when they receive a standing ovation, or receives a good review.
-An athlete considers it a success when they or their team wins an event, or when they sign a multi-million dollar contract.
-An attorney considers it a success when they achieve a settlement for their client or when a client is found not guilty.
-A police officer is considers it a success when they save a person's life or when they solve a heinus crime.
-A fireman considers it a success when they save a person's home or rescues someone from a dangerous peril.
-A priest or minister considers it a success when a parishioner tells them their sermon had a special meaning to them.
-A employee considers it a success when their work is appreciated and their salary is commensurate with their knowledge, skills and abilities.
-An employer considers it a success when at the end of fiscal year their revenue/profits exceeds their expenses.
lastly, my two favorite quotes on success are by Henry W. Longfellow and Albert Einstein:
-"The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well. Try not to be a man of success, but a man of value."