What is Success?

At a fairly young age, I had thoughts of being successful when I grew up. I worked hard and took out student loans to get through school. Receiving my Bachelors and then my Masters degree could be considered my first "big" success. I entered the corporate world and began to set goals as measures of success for myself. As a climbed the corporate ladder I kept telling myself that I was becoming more successful. It wasn't long before I achieved the ultimate corporate goal I had set out for: to be the head of Human Resources at a company. I was in a momentary pause. I had accomplished everything I set out to do; every goal was met and yet something bothered me. For some reason I didn't feel successful. I began to wonder what success really is.

It was from It was from this momentary pause that my current view was challenged. I began to search for a deeper meaning of the word "success". I started my own research on success. I asked everyone who would entertain my questions on how they defined success, what it means to them, and ultimately did they feel successful.

I found a trend in my unscientific research that centered on the past, present, and future. People who were oriented in the past generally did not find success. They were sinking into the should-of, would-of, and could-of quicksand of life.

People who were oriented in the future generally did not find success. They were constantly striving for the next thing they wanted. I easily related to this.

Then I found people who were oriented in the present. They generally feel extremely successful. They are happy with where they are, who they are, and what's going on around them - today. There was a direct correlation between the people who were truly content with where they are at today to those who confirmed that they feel successful.

I was beginning to realize the extreme value in making my present perfect. This new realization did not change the thirst for higher achievement and continual self-development. My quest for continuous learning will never diminish. Rather, it has completely reshaped how I look at today. I have a greater appreciate for each and every day as it is. Not what tomorrow's going to look like or what didn't happen yesterday. Each day hold something new. To help myself stay tuned into my present I ask myself the following: What is perfect about today? What can I offer to this day?

I can very happily tell you today that I consider myself successful. I love where I am today, who I am today , and I am comfortable with what I can give today. I have learned to trust in my present self. Tomorrow will soon become today and I will forever be enjoying my success as it is in the present.

Written by Jennifer Mounce, President, Coach Effect. Coach Effect is a coaching, consulting and development firm focused on engaging employees through leadership and organizational effectiveness. For more information, please contact us.