Sunday Morning Reflections: Defining Success

I’m back into my Sunday morning routine. Molly, the Wonder Dog, is curled up at my feet and Sheila’s still asleep. The house couldn’t be quieter as the sun is just starting to come up in South Florida.  Having moved in late December, this past week was the first stretch where we got back into a routine – no boxes to unpack, no pictures to hang – nothing to do except enjoying each day.

As I sat down this morning, I knew right away what I wanted to write about. I see so many of you chasing success and missing being happy. Many of you spend each day standing at the dock waiting for your ship to come in when it just might have already arrived.

It’s over two years ago that Sandy Puc joined me on Weekend Wisdom. Little did I know this podcast would become a milestone for me, and all because of her honesty. While we didn’t start out to define success, that’s exactly what the conversation became, and it had happiness at its core.

I’ll be the first to admit defining success and being happy are moving targets. They change as you get older. However, I can’t help but wonder if I had better understood what I wanted in life, could I have achieved it earlier?

Here’s my point – I define success today as waking up every morning with a smile on my face. Success is about being excited to get to work. It’s about the creativity that comes when you’re relaxed enough to absorb everything going on around you and channel the energy into new projects. It’s about appreciating the relationship with friends, family and for me today, especially Sheila.

It’s also about looking forward. There are plenty of things I regret in my life, but I can’t go back and change them.  Since good quotes seem to be playing a role in this morning’s post, here’s another one: 

“The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest.”
Anon

Take a little time this week, even right now, to think about your definition of success. Ask yourself what you want out of your business and your life. The two go together in terms of the ingredients for a smile on your face, but they often behave independently.

Success and happiness are about defining your goals. Then comes taking action and making progress to achieve them. Last on the list…they’re about being flexible and regularly fine-tuning your journey.

Wishing everybody a day filled with smiles, time with family and friends you’re closest to and most of all a big smile on your face all day long! Go for at least one eleven-second hug with somebody you care about.  Most important of all, give yourself a pat on the back for the reasons behind your smile!

Happy Sunday!

P.S. Sure would like to meet “Anon” some day. He/she sure has written some great quotes!