This article about accomplishment is going to explain the meaning of success and shall answer the question: “How to define success in life?” In the following, you can find a definition of success and what it means to be successful in life. (For a more detailed explanation of success, have a look at what is success. Also, be sure not to miss: how to measure success and what does success mean to you. Definition of Success: Success (the opposite of failure) is the status of having achieved and accomplished an aim or objective. Being successful means the achievement of desired visions and planned goals. Furthermore, success can be a certain social status that describes a prosperous person that could also have gained fame for its favorable outcome. The dictionary describes success as the following: “attaining wealth, prosperity and/or fame”.
How to define success in life?
The only person that can answer the question above is you. I am neither able nor willing to prescribe the ultimate definition of success, as this is not possible. Every person is thinking differently about being prosperous in life and is defining success in another way, so there can’t exist a definition that is suitable for all. It is very important that you know exactly how to define success in life! Make yourself aware what accomplishment, success, and prosperity in general means to you in your life. Some might define success as having luxurious cars and a huge mansion, whereas others consider a life full of joy and happiness with their family as the true meaning of success. Once you have figured out what is important for you personally you are able to focus on your visions and goals.
The meaning of success
One of the most important key steps to achieving success in life is to know the meaning of success for your personal life. The true meaning of success goes far beyond the common definitions of success, such as having a lot of money, being wealthy, having a lot of tangibles and earned degrees. Quite the opposite: true success in life cannot be measured with the above-named factors, but instead with the amount of people that are able to live a better and more advanced life because of what you created. This is the meaning of success. Not the trophies people are collecting in their lives. Media and society let us often conclude that living a successful life means to be extraordinarily wealthy and have a lot of tangibles. But the meaning of success is to live a happy life and to make this world a better place for everyone.
Is a fancy sports car really the definition of success?
Definition of failure
The opposite of success is failure as it means to fail while trying to achieve aims or objectives. Besides this regular definition of failure, it also can be said that even wealthy and successful persons fail in their lives. Just think about the rich and famous and all their scandals, addictions and suicides. All of them were extraordinary persons but a lot of them were also extremely unhappy with their lives and were not able to see the meaning of success. Wealth cannot be defined with money, but instead with values in your life that make you a happy person, such as friendship, relationships, and your family.
- The difference between accomplishment and success:
Accomplishment is often associated with success, but it is not the same. Accomplishment refers to the results we desire when we attempt to reach specific goals. Basically it is the results that we plan or expect to occur. Success is the positive consequence or outcome of an achieved accomplishment.
- The definition of accomplishment
Accomplishment can be seen as the process to become successful and with every accomplished goal you take a step towards prosperity and a life full of success.
How to achieve success in life?
- The process of becoming successful starts with elaborated goal setting
- Define a strategy and a plan how you intend to reach your goals, aims, and visions
- Keep in mind that success is the consequence of having earned a series of accomplishments, so make sure to divide your goals into easier to reach subgoals
Success quotes:
In the following, I have found some very inspiring and motivating quotes that shall accompany you on your journey to achieve happiness.
Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other. ~ Abraham Lincoln
Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. ~ George Edward Woodberry
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. ~ Jim Rohn
Keep in mind the meaning of success and always try to remember how to define success in life, so that you will be able to live a life full of happiness and joy.
Photo by Fabio Aro
The article Accomplishment – The Meaning of Success and How to Define Success in Life was presented by Personal Development Blog. How do you define success? Let us know in the comment section below. We’re excited to hear from you.
59 Comments
Success is different for everyone. What success is for one person might be completely different for someone else, much like happiness.
Success certainly isn’t money, just ask the majority of people with money and they will give a different definition of success than those with less money.
David, you are absolutely right! Every person has its own definition of success and values money differently.
Success has been defined in various ways. Some say that it is the achievement of something desired (fame, fortune, family, and etc.), planned, or attempted. Others say that it is the attainment of inner peace. For me, I used to believe that it about is being grateful for what life has unfolded. Until I read the verses in the Holy Qur’an, which Allah (S.W.T.) has enumerated those who are successful, they are: those who are humbly submissive in their prayers; those who turn away from ill speech; those are active in deeds of charity; those who guard their chastity; those who faithfully observe their trusts, and their covenants; and those who carefully maintain their prayers.
yes its true………………..good……………nice……
Except one success you’ve missed out on that applies to all human beings true happiness lies within the soul of all humans and that requires deeper understanding
absolutely correct because we prioritise in life differs either by religion,race and ethnicity so success can be well explained basing on individualism
Success is different to other else But nowadays person think earn the money is great success in Most of societys
Quality post I must say. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Meaning of Success.
Regards
Success is the physical, spiritual,moral and social achievement attainded to fulfill life and that of others.
Wonderful definition of success! Precise, meaningful and all of this in one sentence. Wonderful, just wonderful. Thanks for submitting your thoughts.
Success is fulfilling GOD’S MANDATE OR PURPOSE for your life….
And another definition of success. Never ceases to amaze me with how many different perspectives on success we are confronted if we only look closely enough.
I love the way you define success. Like me, I define it different than others. To me, success is about taking action and moving toward the direction that we want, as long as we never give up. I even featured you on my blog.
Hi Shawn, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I like your definition of success! After all, is it all about taking action and making progress in life? So you definitely are living by a supportive definition of success. And thanks for featuring me on your blog! That’s highly appreciated.
Fantastic explanation of the whole concept behind success.
Thanks!
Success is the joy when you help someone succeed without expecting anything in return
Thanks for this holistic definition. It’s really helpful and allows me to go in the right direction.
You’re welcome.
success is aim that you want to achieve
Success is to find out truth in all respect to fulfilling God’ mandate or purpose for your life
Thanks for adding this definition.
Success is not what you think you achieved; it is what others think you achieved. So, don’t try to be successful, because it is less likely that you would be successful by trying , even if you will, it is like buying judgement of others about you at the cost of your own fun, enjoyment and happiness – you may get success but at the cost of your own happiness or enjoyment. What good a success is, if it costs you happiness and joy.
When you live life for your own enjoyment and happiness, success or failure does not matter. After all success and failure are just judgemental words. Those are always indications of others judgement about you. Do you really want to be judged by others? I think the most don’t. Instead of consciously trying for success just participate in everything your do for your own enjoyment and happiness and success or failure does not matter as long as you are happy and joyful for what you are living for.
Thanks for your very valuable addition!
We need to come up with a different word for success defined by yourself, or success defined for you by others.
A failure is catastrophic when viewed by others if they are not on board with the goal you are trying to achieve. They don’t understand why you keep breaking your bones on a skateboard because they don’t buy into your desire to be the next tony hawk. For you though, every fall is a lesson learnt to becoming better. The same ‘failure’ is seen differently.
Alternatively, ‘success’ works in a similar way depending on your goals vs those of others. Winning a big contract for your company might be seen as a good thing by your loved ones and colleagues, but might serve as a massive stumbling block to chasing your own dreams as it makes it harder to change directions.
In any case, thanks for the article Steve. People need this!
Success is striving to achieve my goal and dreams despite the challenges I might face…
Thanx for enlightening me to the meaning of success and for sure,success has no shortcuts
You’re very welcome.
Thank very much
Steve thanks for this article, am a fun of reading on line but non of it comes to me with the force and impact like this one has. With immediate effect am planning to resign my job and go back to that which makes me happy even though it does not pay much compared to my present job. Thanks again for the good work. I wish to read more from u in the future.
Regards
Thank you so much Bright! I’m glad that you enjoyed reading this article. However, I think it is quite important not to act out of an emotion. If I were you, I would not instantly resign my job. Instead, I would try to slowly build up a second profession so that you can switch to a solid foundation once you have quitted your day-to-day job. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
It’s curious how many people feel that success is important. Even more curious that so many want to measure life in terms of success and failure. And most curious of all, that we feel it important to measure life in the first place.
Being successful is not something I often think about. When I do it comes from a bad place in me, it’s a bit needy, about wanting acclaim and recognition, about feeling judged. So I have come to see a concern with success as rather unhealthy. That is just me of course.
Mainly, I just want to live, to sleep well, enjoy my morning cup of tea, listen to this piece of music rather than that, smile, scratch my belly, pick up a book and read it or not, work, potter, play. To be and to do without thought of accomplishment, success or failure.
But thank you for the piece, it helped me see how these things are for me.
Thanks for adding this unique perspective. I agree with you on many aspects that you have addressed.
Success is to never give up, it is about self fulfillment, it is about setting goals and aiming to reach your full potential regardless of where you are in life or the position you hold. It is about working hard and having the ambition and drive to succeed in all you do. It is about accepting that life is not a bunch of roses, we all experience challenges and have to face up to many difficulties along the way but we generally get through them with gut determination and strength. Success is about embracing the things and people that make us happy. Success is to be supportive of one another and to care and to share, only then you find true success and be at peace in your life.
Fantastic definition. I couldn’t agree more with you.
sucess is nothing but a suitable acess..
It is true, I have just realized that success can be a process and not some event in life. Good article
Success is being able to achieve 25% in four key aspects of life that includes Health.. Personal life including family and friends…Job satisfaction and Having enough money ( where enough is a relative terminology).. Then once life will be 100 % successful.. There are many who achieve 100% in one aspect and fail to achieve at-least 25% in rest and fail miserably overall ( the examples include many ). Remember in this process it is very crucial that we remain honest.. sincere.. hard working.. and follow all the morals and ethics without intentionally harming our fellow human being… Any fame or wealth or health achieved at the expense of ones sorrow will not and cannot account for success…Being able to connect to god is blessing but not mandatory…….
Hello Sir Steve…I wish you good health and more success in your career.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.I am enlightened with your article about accomplishment and success.Honestly, I experienced success and failure in my present life.But I was inspired to move on and think positively.
The past is behind.learn from it.The future is ahead.prepare for it.the present is here live it.
Hi Mary, it’s great to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I wish you the very same as well and a lot of prosperity and fulfillment.
Simply wanna tell that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
what a constructive and inspiring presentation
Success is basically being happy and contented….
It’s educative enough. We all have different meanings to what success really means but no matter what your definition is, you will surely have to agree with majority of what is written here. An audio version would have being good enough too.
“success is achievement”
The achievement of anything is success.
Wonderful article…Thanks for sharing your views
Success comes from happiness. Happiness does not come from success.
What more can you want than to be happy and content? Is that not success if you are satisfied?
Definition of success is different to everyone. Majority people think that having lots of money, land, properties, having children is success. I think, successful are those in this world who can leave a mark on this world by their great works- yes, it is not easy. Only the people with exceptional thoughts can do that. Few years ago when I told the story of Indian Ex-President A P J Abdul Kalam to a person who is educated, lives in a village but having no high-thoughts, he said, ‘ I think, he is not successful as he never married, having no family and wealth at all.’ But the fact is whole world knows about the great person A P J Abdul Kalam and he is a very influential person. Who knows that village person though he has all things like family, land at village etc. So, I think, I should be extra-ordinary or exceptional to stand out of the crowd and to leave a mark on this world by my great works. Though I am a medical doctor, public health consultant and microbiologist, but my passion is painting, writing and singing. I think, people will remember me more for my paintings, writings and songs rather than my medical profession. To me, that is true success for this world. I have an online painting gallery which has more than 200 paintings of mine and by the grace of Almighty, my 66 authored books are available worldwide. I wrote many medical books, short stories, novella, two novels and books on other subjects like food, religion, mughal architecture etc.
When our ideas and goals turned into reality its success, but when we fail we find so many way to achieve success.
Loved the key points
The joy of success is in the process of success, not the destination. Because It is not the victory that pleases us, but the struggle that was behind this victory.
Success is defined as having a favourable outcome,what you are expecting is what you see. Anything that is not youe expectation is failure.
Thank you this has really helped shape my life and attitude for the future . I will now become successful. I am eternally grateful Mr.Mueller, I love you.
Good information, That’s a good definition of success in life in general.
well, success in life is not only achieved by setting a goal but also you should have a positive altitude or positive thinking on about how to achieve the objective
No doubt, any achievement in life is counted as success. Man never stops himself after reaching any goal, he works for bigger and bigger. A sense of satisfaction is success it doesn’t matter on which level you are but must be contented of what you have.
it’s could be better to take all of these keys coz if you follow all of these tips it’ll take traight ahead to your goals or your dreams…for sure these are the head and shoulder above the others ways to success
wind I think about success is wind you work hard an don’t let anything get in your way .so if want something you but yourself in the write farm of mine you will be successful now netter what you do you be successfully so now netter what you can do it an never give up.