Success? What Exactly Is Success? What Does

¶ … Success? What exactly is success? What does being successful mean? In the past, various definitions have been offered all in an attempt to define the term success. While some view success as having money (and lots of it), others are convinced that success is the accomplishment of important goals. It is thus clear that the term "success" means different things to different people.

This text offers three concise definitions to the term "success." What is Success? In seeking to define the term success, it would be prudent to first take into consideration the dictionary meaning of the term. Some of the definitions of success according to the Webster's Dictionary (as cited in Briggs, 2003) are: Favorable or desired outcome The attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence According to the above definitions, if an individual does not attain a certain pre-specified outcome, that individual cannot be regarded successful.

In this case, it would help to also to offer a brief definition of a related term -- goal. This is more so the case given that the above definition of success ties success to the attainment of a specific outcome, i.e. A goal. Webster's Dictionary according to Briggs (2003) defines a goal as "the end toward which effort is directed." In reference to goal and success, the above dictionary as Briggs (2003) further points out makes use of the words end and outcome respectively.

According to the Webster Dictionary definition, it is the outcome of that end one has in mind that determines whether an individual is successful or not. Yet another useful definition of success is given by Brott (2008) in whose opinion success is "achieving goals, the process of getting from one point to the next." It is important to note from the onset that according to this particular definition, an individual who does not achieve the goals he or she has set for him or herself cannot be regarded successful.

By somehow linking the accomplishment of personal or individual goals to success, this particular definition largely aligns itself to the definition of success given in the first definition of success above. The third definition of success in my opinion is the most comprehensive (and perhaps the most favorable) of all the definitions that have been offered in the past.

According to John Wooden (as cited in Tressel, 2008), "success is peace of the mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." By leaving out the various external characteristics of success, this particular definition as Tressel (2008) points out lets a person define success in his or her own terms. For this reason, what most of us associate with success, i.e.

exotic cars, palatial residences, cannot be regarded true measures of success according to this particular definition. Therefore, there is no single measure of success that fits all. Everybody defines success in their own unique way. Further, it should be emphasized that this particular definition does not limit success to the strict accomplishment of pre-set goals. As long as one gives his or her very best and.