For as long as mankind has been around, so have the notions of being successful and achieving in life. From our grandparents, through to our parents, and through to ourselves, in other words for at least three generations, the way that success is perceived has remained fairly constant. Three major aspects stand out.

First of all, being successful means different things to different people and in different scenarios. Making a fortune is not the only definition. Success may be simply doing one’s best and making the most of one’s own abilities, whatever they may be.

It may be about making the most of your life. Not only for yourself, but also in terms of your impact on the lives of others. It may mean a combination of success in work life, family life, social life, and in life at various stages from birth through to maturity.

We are only blessed with a single life. Therefore, we need to look at life success in the broadest possible way. This means perceiving it in its totality, in which the work part of our lives, naturally forms a critical component, since we all have to earn an income, to live.

Next, life success tends to comes about as a result of intention. It doesn’t just occur accidentally (although chance can often play a role here). What I mean here, is that success in life, however you define it, is something usually intended, or aimed for.

In my research audience of 100 world famous successful people, 85% were ambitious or driven self starters when they were young people. For them, success was more about something that was intended. It did not just happen by accident.

Thirdly, life success has been considered in a similar way for three generations. So grandparents, parents and young people have comparable notions when it comes to thinking about success in life. Accordingly, influence by the family, particularly parents, is likely to be a critical aspect, at the heart of developing success in life.

Having studied the success patterns behind world famous people, 65% received positive influence from their families, when they were young. This took the form of role modeling their parents. Also, it stemmed from specific parental advice.

So it’s down to you. Why don’t you try and define what you mean by succeeding in life, for yourself? Make sure this includes your career and earning an income. But also make sure that you define it in a whole life sense, as there is more to your life than just work.

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