On Being Successful

By Rob McMurray, Success

Sometimes I think just waking up in the morning is a sign of success.  Isn't just being alive a sign of successful living?Yes, I know there are other definitions of success.  According to Webster's, the definition of success is : the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame; the correct or desired result of an attempt; someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds.   By those definitions, I would say I am right.  Just getting out of bed in the morning would mean I am successful.  But come now.

Success to me would have been a published book and being interviewed by Oprah, probably ending up as her Book Club Choice.  That was the dream.  Now Oprah has "retired" her talk show.  I used to fantasize appearing on her show with my story, a semi-autobiographical story, that was full of human interest, intrigue, drama, love and maybe a little lust.  It would climb to the top of the best seller lists and I would be a celebrity...if only in my own mind.  But even with Oprah off the main netwoorks, there are plenty of talk shows in her wake.  It could still happen. 

But, no, I haven't retired my dream.  I still want to write that book.  I still want to appear on a talk shows, etc.  But I am finding that is no longer my definition of success.  For me now, success is doing what you want with your life.  Rising in the morning looking forward to the day because you know you are going to be doing something that you enjoy doing.  Whether it be writing, photography, cleaning house or walking the dogs.  Success is in doing the tasks that bring you a sense of satisfaction.  

Success also comes from being true to yourself and being who you were meant to be.  And even with that, having successful relationships is truly the surest sign of success.  Being successful is more than accumulating money, fame or accomplishments.  Success is getting through the day with self respect and feeling like a good person.   I believe I do that.  And even with that, knowing when to say "no" and not feeling like a heel or being rejected by others, well, I'd say that is a success in itself.

Being successful is looking in the mirror and liking the person you see smiling back.  Any failures can be endured.  Without failure there can be no success.  It means you didn't try.  So even in failure, you can find success.  Its all in how you look at it.

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