60 Responses

1. robynmc

   September 22nd, 2006 at 10:04 am

   1

   Mike, your success list shows me that your main thrust in personal freedom is more about others and learning to care for them than it is about you. Here’s one that is very important since it allows you to freedom to give others the very best of who you are. It is:

   Success means developing my gifts and talents to that both I and others around me enjoy them.

2. Steve

   September 22nd, 2006 at 10:42 am

   2

   Good Point
   -Steve

3. matthew saul

   September 22nd, 2006 at 1:44 pm

   3

   Wow this post is way too idealistic for my tastes. I believe success is 1% inspiration, 9% perspiration, and 90% people’s response to your 10%. You can be really good at what you do but if no one notices, it’s not worth much.

4. Paul

   September 22nd, 2006 at 1:49 pm

   4

   In response to matthew saul, integrity is about being consistent no matter if anyone notices.

5. Raj

   September 22nd, 2006 at 2:11 pm

   5

   Matthew,

   So if 90% say ‘kill’, you would do that with your 10%? That means you got no integrity.

6. Julian

   September 23rd, 2006 at 9:24 am

   6

   Succes means finding out what the purpose is of this life you’re in and then fulfill that purpose.

7. Cugo

   September 24th, 2006 at 4:11 am

   7

   I agree so absolutely with you. I am absolutely mystified that anyone would actually think a fat wallet and a flashy car made them a ’success’. Success is taking the time to make the world a little better for having you in it. I’ve aced exams and earned pretty good money. If that was what defined me as a *success*I’d throw myself of a cliff. My personal requirement for being a ’success’ involves kindness and consideration, and having people know and respect me for that. What’s really interesting tho’ is that when I say ‘Oh I’m a clerk’ or whatever instead of what I really do to the type of person who considers themselves a ‘winner’, they flat ignore me and push on in search of more successful people to hang out with. I often do this on purpose to separate the chaff from the wheat.

8. Kish

   September 24th, 2006 at 9:56 pm

   8

   Of course traditional success is important to, provided these goals are kept in mind. Many of the most generous, giving, and “successful” people I have met also have been good stewards, and therefor are doing well financially. I think it is really about balance. If you mix financial responsability and planning with being loving and generous you can help alot more people than had you just been loving and generous.

   The downside of course being that, while money isn’t inherantly evil, it is a major temptation. Like I said, I really think balance is the key.

   That is my goal in life, what I consider success for myself. Loving family and friend, financially secure enough to be able to truly enjoy them, and to have the means to make a difference as well.

9. Marc

   October 15th, 2006 at 7:27 pm

   9

   Success for you may not necessarily be success for you, thats for starters. Success for me is finding what are my talents; what I love doing and feel passionate about and actually excelling in it an living it (making it a reality).

10. Cristine

    October 22nd, 2006 at 7:57 pm

    10

    To be able to experience death not as a “grim reaper”, but rather as a welcomed sleep after a good, long day.

11. Richard L. Pineda

    January 9th, 2007 at 1:00 am

    11

    For me success is the product of hardwork, commitment, and continuous improvement of the things you enjoy doing under the guidance of our Lord. It may be in the form of material things or even the simple smile that a person can bring to others, that makes the world a better place to live in.

12. Armand

    July 8th, 2007 at 9:56 am

    12

    As Cugo said: “Success is taking the time to make the world a little better for having you in it.”

    Couldn’t agree more with this.

13. Gourav Sethi

    September 5th, 2007 at 2:08 am

    13

    hello,
    Accroding to me “SUCCESS is a journey Not a Destination”

    Remember this important thing. Success is a journey. It has multiple peaks and not one ultimate pinnacle. One success builds on another. Setbacks and mistake will also help you build success. At different periods of your life, success is defined differently.

    Gourav Sethi

14. aniket

    September 25th, 2007 at 1:01 am

    14

    wow what’s a line

    “Success is a journy not a destination ”

    i like ur lines gourav
    you r saying right

15. Hunjin Park

    October 3rd, 2007 at 10:06 pm

    15

    “Success” is when one masters all of their talents given to them by God at birth. Also, to use these special talents to help and support those in need. I also believe that you have reached success when you create a life where there is actually a meaning to living and worry is not necessary at any time.

    Ur Welcome

16. jitendra

    November 21st, 2007 at 12:49 am

    16

    ‘’success is not in never falling,It is in how high u bounce after hitting the rock bottom”

17. Sarah

    December 19th, 2007 at 7:43 pm

    17

    Success is being happy with who you are, what career choices you choose and with life. If you are not extatic about life itself and cannot wait to come home from work, you have not reached success and if you are doing what people are telling you to do then you are not showing your true self. If you do not stand out from everyone else, then why be yourself? Success is about being happy. money and everything after that doesnt matter.

18. nitesh

    December 29th, 2007 at 11:23 pm

    18

    success is ” achieving all the set goals one had in life and then having people on one’s side to recognize it “.

19. Chaos Raident

    January 5th, 2008 at 9:22 am

    19

    Success is not defined by mammon, prestige, position, material possessions and glory. It is determined by your wealth in character..

20. Claudwyn

    January 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 am

    20

    I want to say yes i agree with wat is posted about what is success, but can some tell me, is success defined by money made or by one’s education??

21. Ravinder

    February 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 am

    21

    My Friends

    I believe TRULY, ‘thoughts are things,’ and powerful things at that, when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a BURNING DESIRE for their translation into other OBJECTS (like richness, money family, education, friends …etc.etc.). Then we measure it as “Success”

    Ur Friend,
    Ravinder

22. karishma

    February 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    22

    for me success is belief, action to live upto my commitments

23. karishma

    February 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm

    23

    FOR ME SUCCESS IS PUTTING BELIEF INTO ACTION TO ACHIEVE IT!!ITS A NEVER ENDING PROCESS

24. shirin farooq

    February 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am

    24

    SUCCESS IS TO BE AND NOT TO BECOME

25. Ravinder

    March 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 am

    25

    karishma, ….. Before putting into Action, you have to have a Desire or a thought. Once you achieve your desire with definite thought and action then you move further for next Desire and “Desire always stays one step ahead“ that is why it is a never ending process

    Ravinder

26. nona

    March 16th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    26

    yho thanks very much for your definitions, for me i always thought sucess is about money but now u have opened my eyes.

27. Sumitra Chowdhury

    March 28th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    27

    Success according to me is “having the freedom to choose a career and lifestyle of one’s own choice”.

28. marc marc

    April 11th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    28

    “success means how people will treat you back” it is not what you got but it’s what you made of what you’ve got..

29. Diane Scott

    April 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    29

    Success is having a thread like this on your blog

30. chu huong

    April 21st, 2008 at 6:35 am

    30

    as to me success means fulfilling what you set for your life and making your living meaningful
    success is defined by many things but personally i think your self satisfaction is the thing to determine your success

31. Aniket

    April 26th, 2008 at 10:45 am

    31

    Success has to be a chain of successes, its something when ur wishes start coming true.

32. ayesha

    August 1st, 2008 at 6:09 am

    32

    i agree with u

33. Juan Manuel

    August 7th, 2008 at 9:47 am

    33

    Success is making a difference in my life and in others for the better, specially my loved ones. A life long process.
    Very good ideas in this thread

34. Dd

    August 12th, 2008 at 11:49 pm

    34

    Absolutely agree a success is simply doing or achieved something that will pleased all human being in nature, and for sure a success is a jouney not a destination.

35. hiba fleihan

    September 7th, 2008 at 5:38 am

    35

    to me success is also to give my time to my childen, freind and others.

36. Mark

    September 25th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    36

    fact is…success is different for everybody! some people are raised with the thought that success is how much money you have (i feel sorry for those people). and others success isn’t what you do but how you do it. But for me, success is simply doing the right thing, in any case, at any time.

    some people look at the “right thing to do” from a business aspect, some from a religious aspect, and some from just what they believe.

    if you are happy and satisfied with what you are doing or how you are doing it. you are successful.

37. Anto Lyna

    September 25th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

    37

    success means do thing that you really want to do.To be a proffessional you need to do the best and you can become success.

    thanks

38. Kristy

    September 29th, 2008 at 3:44 am

    38

    Success looks different for each person. If a person can be all they want to be and find happiness then that is success.

39. melinda

    October 14th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    39

    for me , money is not the measurement of success, most people think that having fat wallet made them sucessful or going all the way to college with a degree made them think successful, that’s wrong, to me success is being contented and being happy, if you’re happy with what u have and what u own in life then u are successful.

40. oh my

    October 21st, 2008 at 1:20 am

    40

    I always find the following quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson very inspiring.

    “The definition of success–To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived–this is to have succeeded”

41. mohammed najeeb

    October 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    41

    according to me success is arisinging awakeing and not stoping till the goal is reached, till the death, we can do anything and everything believe in that, don’t believe we are weak, be positive, thx!

42. I Think I'm Right

    November 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    42

    Success is different for everyone and you shouldn’t focus on trying to be successful. Just live your life and if you’re happy or not happy, good for you either way…

43. Rodsway

    January 30th, 2009 at 8:18 am

    43

    Well this comment is for Cugo success is not a matter of trickery!you cant really judge people that way because i beleive if your to smart your stupied there are a lot of stupied people in this world but i dont think being dishonest makes you any smarter and again this is only my opinion..

44. Rodsway

    January 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am

    44

    And i also beleive if you love money to much you will never be successful. and if you happen to become successful you will never be happy, having horse blinders on and only seeing in the direction you are going can also make you a very stupied person..

45. Sharad Agrawal

    February 1st, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    45

    Success is a journey. It has multiple peaks and not one ultimate pinnacle. One success builds on another. Setbacks and mistake will also help you build success. At different periods of your life, success is defined differently.

46. Ela

    February 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    46

    Success is the ability to achieve financial independence and personal satisfaction without compromising your values and beliefs.

    ..according to me anyway!

47. Nguyen Tommy

    February 8th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    47

    Nice…

    Reaching your goals with only your mind and body and know that you are the person who did everything to reach that success. That my friend, is what I consider success. Success is not what you have reached, but how!

48. gon

    March 17th, 2009 at 8:57 am

    48

    SUCCESS for me is a decision. Your achievements are useless if you do not consider it a success.Everyday is a success if we see the POSITIVE side of life. Waking up in the morning is a success, having friends with you is a success,,if someone gives you a smile then and makes your day happy then it’s a success, and even our failures are part of our success because through those challenges, we learn and get molded to become a better us.
    I f you want to be successful, then feel and decide to become one.

49. naveen

    March 25th, 2009 at 5:44 am

    49

    SUCCESS IS A RELATIVE YARDSTICK OF ONE’S JOURNEY

50. How Do You Define Success? : Foo Thoughts

    April 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    50

    [...] Olson wrote about one’s definition of success. Below is yours [...]

51. Five pillars to bring personal and professional transformation | Transformation Network Blog Community

    May 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    51

    [...] my answer is that Success is a system….it is a process.  And I explain this with the help of 5 pillars that I created [...]

52. success. « I Got Laid Off, Now What?

    August 12th, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    52

    [...] Fast-forward 2 months and I am not convinced that is the definition. The layoff turned me to the right direction, but I am still the same goal achieving person. So what are the new goals? I have spent many runs, prayers, and dreams trying to find the perfect answer.  My research-happy personality led me to research and discover how others define success.   Here is a thought provoking definition of success I found on the Steve-Olson Blog. http://www.steve-olson.com/how-do-you-define-success/ [...]

53. marybhel

    August 15th, 2009 at 3:14 am

    53

    success is just being HAPPY!!!..thats all..even if you dont have alot as long as ur happy

54. Bailey

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 am

    54

    Success can never be measured and can never be defined, success is an opinion of ones acomplished goals.

55. karan kumar

    October 21st, 2009 at 2:56 am

    55

    SUCCESS MEAN THAT WANT TO DO FOR YOUR LIFE.OR WHAT WILL DO FOR LIVE IN EARTH.
    BUT THERE ARE VERIOUS MEAN OF SUCCESS.

56. Chris

    November 30th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    56

    Succes can not be defined by happiness — b/c you will then have to define happiness — and so on ——- Succes can not be measured by accomplishiment — b/c ones achievements are simply the product of perservierance —– I think succes is a bi-product of character —– in the end I believe its one ability to inspire to have the inate ability to have others do things not b/c you asked but b/c they want to whether it be becoming a better person b/c so and so is or making the right choices b/c they know thats what you would do

57. Yanira

    December 1st, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    57

    Success is happiness. Happiness is success. You define the happiness. Happiness doesn’t have to be your own alone. Remember happiness is a part for everyone.
    I see true education as happiness. Being truly educated is success. Claudwyn, I can safely say success may be defined by one’s education, not in one subject or area.
    I know success is the hard road, but if you wanted to succeed you have to drive yourself there. No shortcuts; you will have problems waiting for you at the end. you will not HAVE happiness if you take shortcuts; it will be deserved for others who take no shortcuts, naturally. Lol.

    Your definitions of success is your own happiness, if you intend it to be. There’s no wrong. If you know one thing, do well with and about it, that is your success. You may want to move on to another thing and do it well, that’s called success, in same way.

58. Richard Cartwright

    December 8th, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    58

    Success is the process of determining what you really want to do in life and then doing it! Like the man who runs the corner gas station, or the high school basketball coach because that’s what they really want to do! When U R doing what U really want to do, U’ll become really good at it and the finances will be good because U have been doing what U wanted to do. Find out what U really want to do, then start doing it, and You will never work a day in your life!

59. Scott Walters

    January 26th, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    59

    Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourself. do not merely lookout for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others.

    That is sucess!

60. Danielle Darah

    February 16th, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    60

    There is no single path to success but the way I see it depends on how you define the word success.
    I define success as:
    • Doing what I say I am going to do.
    • Living the Truth.
    • Providing value to others.
    • Living each day in the moment.