It’s a little hard to define because success can mean so many different things to every one of us. Also, the fact that when we’re talking about reaching the same goal or doing the same thing, what we consider successful can vary, and it gets even more complicated. Let’s look at two students for example. One of them may consider getting a “C” in Math a big success, while the other count's anything other than an “A” a failure. Success then means reaching the goals you set for yourself, rather than a “standard” definition. 

There are two definitions of success I want to share with you. By the way, if you look up the definition of success (online or in that old dictionary), you’ll find that there are quite a few more definitions. These are the two that matter for this discussion.

• Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
• And, a person who achieves desired aims or attains prosperity.

The two aspects of success are to accomplish a goal and to gain prosperity. For some people, success means having a purpose and serving others. Their definition of success may include having a happy and stable family. Financial success means not having to worry about paying the bills each month. Others focus more on the prosperity aspect. Their version of success includes a successful career, a high paycheck, and the money to buy fancy cars and own a big house.

How you define your unique success is entirely up to you. It will also change over time. In school, success may mean getting good grades or spending the least amount of time on homework. In college, it may mean passing your classes and getting into the fraternity or sorority of your choice. As a young adult, it may mean making it as a freelancer or traveling the world. Later on, success may be raising a beautiful family and building your dream home. The point is that your definition of success changes as the goals you want to reach and the things you want to do with your life change.

I like to draft out a few ideas on what success means to me. When doing this, you make a visual aid to looking directly at your own terms of success and this can help make them attainable. Stay on top of your success goals, work towards them, and start to see how your life improves.