Success is defined as the attainment of fame, wealth, or social status or a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains fame, wealth.

Much of what the world defines as success is based on outward appearance and tangible things like popularity, houses, cars, and bank balance. Yet many people with these things still don’t see themselves as successful or fulfilled.

So there’s got to be more to success than meets the eye. Surely there isn’t a one size fits all and what we deem to be 'success' must evolve even as we evolve. The more we see of life, the more likely we are to redefine success.

I love the quote below from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

The interesting thing is that the writer does not refer to any of the things that many of us consider to be the signs of a successful person. Instead he refers to impacting the world and making it a better place.

He talks about laughing often and much and this has to be in the face of all the circumstances that life brings. To still be able to find reasons to laugh is to stop linking success to the things that we too often chase after.

What’s the value of a life? To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived must be at the height of success. To be willing to lay down our agendas to help others must be truly liberating.

No one can define success for you. Most external factors and material possessions are on a spectrum. Cars range from budget to luxury high end. Financial success can range from having no unmet needs and bills to being a billionaire.

That is why these material measures are never going to be the best definition of success. As long as there’s more to be achieved, some people will never be happy or feel successful.

Some questions for us to ponder this week are:

• What is your definition of success?
• How easy will it be for you to know you have achieved it?
• Is your definition a moving goalpost that continually leaves you feeling like you’re chasing shadows?
• Will you know when you have achieved success?
• What emotions do you expect to feel when you arrive?
• What happens if you don’t feel that way?
• What is your back up plan if your definition of success remains elusive?’