In school, we are often told, “Do well in your exams and that will mean you are successful”.
In college, we are told, “Get your degree and that will mean you are successful”.
Then it is, “Get a job and that will mean you are successful”.
Then, “Get your next promotion and that will mean you are successful”.
As children, many of us are made to believe that if we followed a path that the world has laid out for us we will always be successful.
But the truth is there is no definite path to success.
Because success is not one thing.
And everyone’s path to success is different because
- We are all different people with different strengths, motivations, aspirations and needs. What is right for one may not be right for another
- Others cannot know what will work for us. Only we can decide that for ourselves.
And should you choose to follow what others tell you maybe you will achieve everything on that path.
But would it matter if you are not happy?
Because there is nothing worse than climbing the ladder to success and finding that it was leaning against the wrong wall!
So the first step to being successful is to define your version success.
For me success means doing meaningful work and making a difference.
What is success for you?