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We are living in the modern world, in an era of smartphones and instant messages. Modern world comes with so many aspirations and to fulfill those aspirations, we have different goals. In fact, in my case at least, I have too many goals and sometimes, the weight of them seems to have a crushing impact on your motivation.

Often, there seems too much to accomplish and there is always this inner battle that you are not doing enough. This causes stress and your mood turns bad, you start blaming yourself and others for your situation and ultimately end up being sad and grouchy all the time. You feel like you have no energy to spend on things that you want to do. This has a domino effect and you start missing your deadlines, goals and eventually you give up on them.

“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”
~Arnold H. Glasow

This really is a great quote. Not only is it interesting but also inspiring.

One of the truths that I find most frustrating as a teacher and a coach is that many people believe that success, in whatever field of endeavor they are currently striving, is rather like winning the lottery. In fact, it certainly seems from the evidence that they in fact believe that success is even more random because they aren’t even buying a ticket. They are simply passively waiting.

If you listen to people talk you won’t hear many people voicing this opinion of success but look around you and watch what people are actually doing–or rather not doing–and you will quickly see what I mean.

Many people want things–they want to be rich, they want to be at the top of their profession, they want a successful marriage, they want to raise great kids, they want to be respected in their community, and so on. But what do they do to achieve this success? Are they working both hard and smart toward their financial goals and living frugally while they do so? Are they constantly learning and striving at their job? Are they showing their spouse love, consideration, understanding, and generosity? Are they spending time with their children both modeling how to be a good person and being generous with their love and understanding? Are they regularly proving themselves an asset within their community by being a good neighbor in every sense of the word?

We all know that we must accomplish these tasks as I set them out to achieve success in these areas. Probably I missed something as well. I am hardly a model of success in every area. I would in fact describe myself as fair to middling. {g} I am certainly not rich but the bills get paid and our basics and then some are covered without too much stress. My boss, peers, and subordinates think I am doing a pretty good job as well as those that I serve professionally. While my marriage is in fairly good shape I know I could certainly put more into it. I think I have a great kid but know well my failings as a mother. I contribute to my community but no where near the level that I could or should.

How do you define success?

Is it money, career, love, marriage, family, friendship, respect, community?

For me, success is primarily about love. How many lives do I touch with mine? How many hearts? Who has been changed by my existence in a postive way? I hope that people judge me as a good person and that if I died tomorrow that there would be great mourning.

If we really want this success then we will set ourselves on fire. We won’t wait for spontaneous combustion.

Arnold H. Glasow

This really is a great quote. Not only is it interesting but also inspiring.

Many people believe that success, in whatever field of endeavor they are currently striving, is rather like winning the lottery. They are simply passively waiting. Look around and watch what people are actually doing or rather not doing and you will quickly see what I mean.

What is success?

Many people want material things. They want to be rich, be at the top of their profession, a successful marriage. They want to raise great kids, they want to be respected in their community, and so on. But what do they do to achieve this success? Are they working both hard and smart toward their financial goals and living frugally while they do so? Are they constantly learning and striving at their job? Are they showing their spouse love, consideration, understanding, and generosity? Are they spending time with their children both modeling how to be a good person and being generous with their love and understanding? Are they regularly proving themselves an asset within their community by being a good neighbor in every sense of the word?

We all know that we must accomplish these tasks as I set them out to achieve success in these areas. Probably I missed something as well. I am hardly a model of success in every area. I would in fact describe myself as fair to middling. I am certainly not rich but the bills get paid and our basics and then some are covered without too much stress. My boss, peers, and subordinates think I am doing a pretty good job as well as those that I serve professionally. While my marriage is in fairly good shape I know I could certainly put more into it. I think I have a great kid but know well my failings as a mother. I contribute to my community but nowhere near the level that I could or should.

How do you define success?

It has happened a lot of times with me and I think the same is true for a lot of the millennials. How do we get out of this and actually start achieving our goals? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!