Defining True Success

“True success is a feeling of happiness and joy.”  ~ Michelle Weimer

If you were going to define success for yourself, how would you define it? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that success is a certain dollar amount in your bank account, a seat at the top of the corporate ladder, a new car, beautiful home, fit body, perfect relationship, etc. You know, the storybook life that all too often gets portrayed through pictures on social media and in the movies. But what I think is even more important than “Instagram Glam” is the true feeling behind those images.

If you’ve ever gotten an email from me, you know I sign off, “Happiness and Success” all the time. There’s a reason for that… It’s because I wholeheartedly believe that they go together. See, in my opinion, it’s the way we feel about our lives that defines true success. You might have it all according to the external image, but if you don’t feel happiness inside, you have nothing that matters.

True success is a feeling of happiness and joy. Now that’s not to say that all the previously mentioned measurables are not part of success. They certainly can be. But sometimes I think we get caught up in striving for those concrete things and we forget the feeling we are seeking that we want those things to bring with them. I mean really, why would you want all of those things? Because you seek happiness. Because you want joy in your life.

So maybe it’s time to do a quick evaluation of your definition of success. As we come to the end of January, look at the goals you’ve set for yourself this year. Make sure that your deep why for wanting to achieve each of them has the emotional connection you want. And if you don’t feel that connection, then dig a little deeper. Maybe you want to be proud of the work you do and that sense of pride and contribution that you give through service, brings you happiness and joy. Maybe you want financial freedom so that you can give more to others and in giving you receive great happiness and joy. Maybe you want to improve your relationships – to experience and express love in a greater way because love certainly brings happiness and joy to all those who are touched by it.

Get the idea? All that you strive for, all of the goals you want to reach… will only feel like a success if you feel the happiness and joy from achieving them.

I’ve been talking all month about clarity - being sure you have clarity about the goals you want and the actions you’ll need to commit to in order to achieve those goals this year. So today, just check yourself… make sure you know the emotional attachment that goes with each goal. Because as we move forward into the new year, life will happen. You’ll be tempted to give up or go back to old ways. You may get off track. (After all, studies show that by now, most people have given up on their new year’s resolutions.) But when you attach that powerful emotion that you want to feel, and you know that by continuing to strive for goals that bring happiness, then the motivation to get back on track, recommit every day and keep going, will be what helps you succeed this year.

This is your year and now is your time! Let’s do this together… To your Happiness and Success!

***Really want to have happiness and success this year? Join me in the Success Mastery Community and together let's create the plan you need to achieve happiness and success in your life!