by Opal Elaine Moyer

Created on: March 11, 2009

What is the true meaning of success? The question, more accurately, should be what does success mean to YOU? The word success means different things to different people. It is a state of mind, which is also in the eye of the beholder. One man's failure, or mediocrity, is another man's success, so to speak, and vice versa. After all, there is no known machine or device known to guage the measure of success; we must, individually, do this for ourselves. The scale, by which we measure success, can range from the very simple to the very elaborate. Individual perception is the key to one's personal measure of the meaning of success.

For some, success can mean money, fame, popularity and, even, power. Some people feel that true success is in the attainment of all of these things. Then, there are those who consider success to simply mean that they are living out their dreams and ambitions that are right for them. Success might be the desired end to any number of things that are important to an individual, based on personal priorities. Success might be desired in relation to finances, career, education, appearance and/or physical fitness. Pursuit of success is dependant on individual personal goals. How these goals are achieved also play a role in the measure of true success. For example: If someone were to have a goal to attain great wealth and embezzled money to achieve this, then their's is not true success because the goal of wealth was not achieved honestly. The means by which success is attained is certainly another means, by which to measure true success.

Webster's dictionary defines success as (1) a favorable outcome and (2) gaining of wealth and fame. It would seem that the first definition make the most sense as to the true meaning of the word. The meaning of success is solely personal and is based on one's own personal perception of success. No two people have exactly the same dreams and ambitions, so it makes complete sense that their personal perceptions of success is not going to be exactly the same either. Truly, when one has achieved a life of happiness and contentment, where they are also living out their dreams and aspirations, this is a favorable outcome and is, therefore success in the truest, fullest extent of the word.

The bottom line is that true success is different things to different people. The key is to find out just exactly what it means to you.

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