What Does It Mean To Be Successful? by Hal Urban

The great philosopher Thomas Carlyle once wrote, "Let each become all that he was created capable of being." I can't think of a better definition of success. Life challenges us every day to develop our capabilities to the fullest. We're successful when we reach for the highest that's within us-when we give the best we have.

Success is in the doing, not in the getting. I can't emphasize that point enough. Life doesn't require us to always come out on top. It asks only that we do our best at each level of experience. this is what successful people do in some of the most important areas of life:

*Successful people accept life as it is, with all its difficulties and challenges. They adapt to it rather than complain about it. They accept responsibility for their own lives instead of blaming or making excuses. They say YES to life in spite of its negative elements and make the most of it, no matter what the circumstances.

*Successful people develop and maintain a positive attitude toward life. They look for good in others and in the world, and usually seem to find it. they see life as a series of opportunities and possibilities, and always explore them.

*Successful people have a sense of direction and purpose-they know where there going. They set goals, accomplish them, and then set new goals. They accept and enjoy challenges.

*Successful people have a strong desire to learn: about life, the world, and themselves. They see learning as a joy, not a duty. They continually enrich their lives by learning new things and improving themselves. they are always discovering, always growing.

*Successful people are action-oriented. They get things done because they're not afraid of hard work, and they don't waste time. They use it in constructive ways. They don't get into ruts or become bored because they're to busy looking for new experiences.

*Successful people maintain high standards in their personal conduct. They know that honesty is one of the main ingredients in the character of a good person. They are consistently truthful in both their private and public lives.

*Successful people understand the difference between existing and living, and always choose the latter. They get the most out of life because they put the most into it. they reap what they sow. And they enjoy life to the fullest.

Guard Your Thoughts

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors.
Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

MAHATMA GANDHI

ORIAH MOUNTAIN DREAMER, INDIAN ELDER

"I want to know if you are willing to disappoint another

in order to be true to your authentic self."

Something to think about

I once heard a story about a group of recently departed men and women who found themselves standing in line before the proverbial pearly gates. Anticipating divine judgment about their lives, they all began to question themselves about their earthly behavior. "Was I a good parent?" "Did I accomplish something of value in my life?" "Did I attend religious services on the Sabbath?" "Did I donate enough to the needy?" And when they finally reached the gate, all these souls were asked only one question, "How well did you love?"

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The Benefits of Setting Goals by Hal Urban

1. MOTIVATION: Goals are the starting blocks of motivation. They give us a reason to get off our duffs and get going.

2. INDEPENDENCE: Goals help us take charge of our own lives. Instead of following the crowd or wandering through life, we choose our own path, the one that leads to fulfillment of our ambitions.

3. DIRECTION: Goals give us a destination. We're far more likely to get someplace when we know where we're going.

4. MEANING: Goals give us a sense of purpose. Life has more meaning when we're clear on what we want. Instead of merely existing from one day to the next, our goals give us reasons to start really living.

5. ENJOYMENT: Goals are the antidote to the most dreaded of all social diseases: Boredom. How can you be bored when you've got exciting things to do? Goals make our lives more fun, more interesting, and more challenging.

6. FULFILLMENT: Goals, more than anything else, help us reach our potential. Setting goals helps us see whats possible. Each successful step toward attaining them builds confidence. Each goal completed helps us see more of whats possible and leads to new goals and more success.