I have long been passionate about achieving greater success and helping others achieve greater success—however you define success. Today I want to take a closer look at exactly that—how we each define success.
Darren Hardy, the founder and publisher of SUCCESS magazine, has the unique opportunity to intimately speak with some of the most highly successful men and women in the world. Through this experience, he has heard success story after success story.
In a candid article he published on his blog, Hardy noted that, “after spending time with many of them, my walkaway conclusion was, heck if THEY can do this, no doubt I can… and I should… and I’m mad at myself for not!” But Hardy went on to explain that he eventually came to the realization that he shouldn’t desire the same results as the people he interviews, but rather should desire to learn from their methods, habits, and philosophies.
“Here is the great lesson I have learned: Don’t compare yourself to the results of others, but find inspiration in their methods of success.”
Hardy gave the example of Richard Branson, whom he has long considered an inspiring model of success. After meeting and studying Branson, Hardy realized how different he and Branson are as individuals. Branson thrives on complexity, while Hardy craves simplicity. Branson isn’t bothered by lawsuits and headlines, while Hardy prefers to avoid them. Even so, Hardy would like to learn from many of Branson’s attributes and behaviors, like his steadfast focus, or how he prioritizes his employees above all else.
Hardy reiterates, “Don’t wish for someone else’s results, instead work on gaining the mindset, philosophy, behavior, habits and attributes they possess to create those kinds of results.”
How about you, how are you defining success? Don’t adopt someone else’s definition of success. Don’t let someone else’s definition of success override your own unique strengths, character, dreams, and goals. Don’t wish for someone else’s results. Instead, learn from the methods and behaviors of others, but create your own, unique definition of what success looks like for YOU.
