We can all agree that we live incredibly busy lives. There always seems to be something that is willing (and often more than able) to pull us off track. It is for this reason that we need to have a clearly defined (written down) definition of success. This is something I wrote about in greater detail in my book, It’s Your Life, LIVE BIG, but suffice it to say, the level at which you put this idea to work, will greatly determine how quickly, if at all, you are able to get back to, and working on the things you want to see show up in your life.

Consider that your definition of success is much like your own personal lighthouse. Just like the sailors of years gone by would depend on lighthouses to guide them safely to shore, you will find that your definition of success will act as a powerful guide which can pull you back in during times when you are off course, or feeling scattered.

Here’s an example of how it can work:

Early on when I began the work I do now, when it was just the first website, I wrote what is still my definition of success, to this day. It goes like this: “I will create a leading resource where people from all over the world can get access to and take advantage of the same personal & professional development resources that have made such an impact on my own life.”

The ways in which I live out that purpose have certainly morphed and changed over the years, for example, when I was first getting started I was initially just sharing others’ work, then I began to write my own, and over the years, have even gotten to the point where I speak to groups and share in that way.

The point is, the actions and direction I followed were, and are in alignment with the definition of success I wrote so many years ago. During those times, that we all experience, where I was tempted to lose sight of what I wanted to see, and give my attention to, I had my trusty “definition of success” to remind me of where I needed to be spending my time.

Friend, I encourage you to take the time to write out for yourself what success looks like to you. Remember that as life goes on, the way you define certain things now, may very well change and adapt. Overtime, things may hold different levels of value in your mind, and some of the things you valued before, may not hold any now. That’s perfectly normal. We all grow in different ways.

The way you define success should be personal…

As you write out your definition of success, remember that it needs to be highly personal to you. Resist the urge to list things that you don’t feel are important, but because others do, you somehow think you need to include them. Working on, and living out someone else’s definition of success is an unfortunate, but sadly, far too common occurrence. Keep it highly personal to yourself. Then, go about living your life, and planning, and taking the actions that are in alignment with what you have written. Go back to your definition often. Check in with yourself — are you doing things that will allow what you wrote to come to fruition?

Friend, you have greatness in you. If you will implement the idea above you will find that it can help you immensely in un-tapping your greatness.

Don’t forget, Living BIG gets down to making the decision to live by choice, over chance, more often than not.

It’s Your LIfe, LIVE BIG!
Josh Hinds

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