Everyone's idea of success is different. You are someone with unique experiences. These experiences have influenced your ideas about yourself, your goals, the world, and your definition of success. Succeeding in life doesn't always mean everything will go smoothly – with you being able to overcome every failure and achieve all your personal dreams. Be realistic about what it means to succeed in life. Set goals that are creative, flexible, and develop a strong sense of worth and self-confidence. You should also understand that the true definition of success is trying your best.
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Part 1 of 4: Determining How to Succeed in Life
Step 1. Make a list of your values and ideals
Think about the ideals, values, and moral attributes that are important to you. All of these may include being a good friend or maintaining good health. These are ideas about the definition of success in life based on your understanding of yourself, as well as different from goals. Goals are more concrete actions that can be accomplished.
Step 2. List all the ways that can make you successful in life
The first step is to define a definition of success, in addition to your values and the type of life you want. You may need some time to answer all these questions and determine what success really means. Try to make the definition as broad as possible: in the short term, long term, regarding big dreams and small successes.
- Keep a journal or notebook devoted to your new vision of life and how you want to achieve success. Start with the highest aspirations to the simplest, such as washing dishes every day.
- The definition of success in life can start with making small daily changes, whether in terms of personal health, finances, career goals, family, love relationships, personality (such as being kinder), or developing friendships.
Step 3. Make a list of goals
Look at the list of ways to achieve success, then look at the list of values and ideals. Begin to determine how the two can complement each other. Which goals strengthen your outlook on life and the version of yourself you want to be in the future? Start grouping the different ways to achieve success into categories, such as career goals, hobbies, health, and family and friendships.
Then, regroup them into long-term and short-term goals. For example, you might want to be able to lift weights weighing 135 kg in the health sector, or want to be a journalist in your career, or want to wash the dishes regularly every night
Step 4. Set the priority of the goal
Once you begin to clearly define the meaning of success in life, start setting priorities. Which is a long-term goal that can make you feel successful in life? Which ones can be practiced every day so that you feel capable of living your life in a positive direction?
- Succeeding in life can be very simple, such as interacting kindly with others, leading a more organized life, investigating larger life changes such as a career change, or trying to spend more time with family and friends.
- The most important part of determining success in life is making sure the definition fits you authentically and the kind of life you want.
Step 5. Look for role models
The journal will be your source of personal focus and inspiration. You may know people in your life who can inspire you because of their behavior, strength, and resilience. Find a picture or something to remind you of them and copy it in your personal journal. Use these role models as a source of inspiration and to remind you of your dreams.
You might also consider famous people, such as musicians or athletes, who inspire them in their lives and actions. Or, find people you can admire. For example, the Dalai Lama has been a symbol of peace for decades, even in complicated situations. You don't have to be him to remember the Dalai's strengths and attitudes. However, referring to him can help you focus on the qualities of yourself and the life you want. Think of people like this as a source of inspiration
Part 2 of 4: Pursuing Life's Purpose
Step 1. Be flexible with your goals
Let the idea of defining success in life evolve with you. Molding life into a rewarding experience may require trial and error. You may want to be a successful lawyer and work 80 hours a week. But what happens when you want to have a family? Your values may change, as will your life goals to adapt to them.
For example, you may want to become a veterinarian. However, once you've investigated the medical skills and educational needs required, you've finally determined that you don't really want to work with animals in that way. Start using journals to explore other career options that are still related to animals. You may want to make natural pet treats, work at a shelter, become a dog trainer, or care for abandoned animals at home. Learning how to succeed in life means that you have to know yourself in a very authentic way and be flexible in your pursuit of life
Step 2. Rethink your plan periodically
Don't limit yourself to making changes that you feel will fit into your own definition of success. However, know that one of the factors for achieving success in life is endurance.
You may want to plan a movie night with your family, but can't come to an agreement about which movie to watch, or other family members are making other plans. Either way, your goal of one day doesn't work out. If this is the case, you may have to make adjustments to your plans by asking family members what they would like to do to spend more time together. You may also want to set up individual time with other people instead of planning group activities. Do not give up in trying to achieve the target. Instead of giving up, define and redesign. Make sure you always analyze it. Stay on track and focus on your goals so you can spend more time with your family
Step 3. Don't underestimate the little things
Make a list of small things you can accomplish each day. This will help you feel like you are achieving success. Succeeding in life ultimately depends on self-respect. Know that you deserve to live a full life. Besides career, money and family, there is also YOU!
Succeeding in life may mean that you laugh more often, be kinder in your daily interactions, start a realistic exercise routine, eat healthier, or take painting, golf, or dance lessons. When you live a life that feels authentic, you are already successful in life. It is very simple
Step 4. Continue to develop ways to succeed
Continue to develop this list of ways using the journal. Life is a journey and there will always be other ways to explore it. As you and your ideas about success in life continue to evolve, be flexible and listen to your intuition. Educate yourself about the goals you are aiming for and don't be afraid to change direction if you have new ideas or thoughts.
Step 5. Set up a reminder of your life's purpose
Remind yourself of the position and attitude you want to show. Stick notes or reminders that can be hung in the office and at home.
Collect motivational quotes on cards that you always carry with you. Collect quotes from the internet, books, movies, or friends. These quotes can come in handy if you are feeling hopeless or frustrated. For example, the quote, “Courage is a very rare talent” can help you to remember that living a full life may be difficult, but it shows immense courage
Part 3 of 4: Developing a sense of self-worth and self-confidence
Step 1. Write down positive qualities
To succeed in life, you must first desire it. You must develop discipline, endurance, resilience, and determination. The easiest way to develop these qualities is to learn to respect yourself for your abilities, courage, worth, and respect for who you are. Motivate yourself with positive words by writing down all the good qualities of yourself. Add to this list as much as possible.
Read this list every week as you start the day. You are an agent in creating life, so if you want to be mentally and emotionally ready to strive for success, develop self-confidence until you truly believe in your abilities. Celebrate yourself because you already have the desire to create an amazing life
Step 2. Repack negative themes in life
You may have received negative messages in the past as a child, from social experiences, or the community in which you lived. Those messages may go much deeper than you think.
- Write down all the negative things you have been told, or thought about yourself. Take some time to look at the writing and start reframing any negative themes. For example, by thinking that everyone makes mistakes in life. Do you still feel excessively guilty and ashamed about the negative things you've done? Has someone ever said that you were stupid or worthless growing up? Do you still remember those messages and let them bother you?
- To succeed in life, you have to start getting rid of those messages and replace them with more positive ones. A simple example that often happens in life is that people like to talk to themselves in a negative way. For example when dropping a key. What's the first thought that pops into your head? Maybe the thought goes, "I'm such a fool, I can't even keep the keys." If you pay attention, you may notice that you talk very loudly to yourself all day long. To succeed in life, realize that you are the coach, the team and the star player. You have to start treating yourself as someone who deserves to live the amazing life you are building.
Step 3. Empower yourself
A big factor in making positive lasting changes in life is seeing yourself as someone who can create change. Take responsibility for yourself, what you do, and what you choose. Realize the power of choice in life and understand that every day you have to choose.
- Remove the phrase "can't" from your dictionary. "Can't" is a phrase that stifles creativity and leaves you feeling stagnant. Sometimes, this phrase is actually a substitute for its true meaning. For example, you might say, "I don't speak French" when what you really mean is: "I don't know how to speak French." When you say "can't," an assumption is created that there is no solution available. When you say you don't know how to do something, it means you realize that you can't change the way you think or act.
- For example, you can get up and go to work every day…. but do you HAVE to do it? Certainly not. You can choose to stay asleep and lose your job. The choices in life have consequences, but you must shift your focus from the things that feel obligatory to understanding the power of choice in life. Would you choose to go to work? Yes, because you don't want to face the consequences of losing your job. This is still an option. You are the agent of change and make choices every day. Realize this by truly appreciating the power of choice you have.
Step 4. Maintain a positive perspective
If a glass is half full of water, is it half full or half empty? Or, only partially filled with water? Creating a successful life really depends on your perspective. Along with creativity, endurance, and determination, perspective and reality in life will determine the feeling of being successful in mastering life.
- Write down some examples that have recently disappointed you, then rewrite how you feel about them. For example, maybe your cupcake business isn't going well. Does this fact mean a failure for you? Does this mean that life is not helping and will make you never happy? Look at the statements you have written. Perhaps these statements are black and white, for example: “I will never get what I want. Things never go according to my plan.”
- Try to reframe these statements and develop a new perspective within yourself. For example, instead of assuming that you have failed, try repackaging those thoughts. Tell yourself, “Okay, there must be other ways to do business. There's something else I could try, a different way of marketing, or maybe I should try a new business model.”
- Try to see if you tend to close yourself off without trying new perspectives. To succeed in life, you have to view it as something you want and will work towards succeeding, with endless possibilities and a healthy desire to strive to explore all of these possibilities.
Step 5. Remind yourself that you are trying to do your best
You have to remember to stay friendly and easy-going with yourself. To create resilience, self-worth, and respect for yourself, you have to be able to accept that things don't go according to plan. Immerse yourself in a healthy mind space to try your best based on the situation at hand so that you can achieve success in life.
- Always doing your best regardless of the outcome will also reduce stress levels and keep you focused on the things you can control. This way, it will be easier for you to empower yourself, strengthen your sense of being able to manage, and let go of things that are out of your control. You've tried your best, that's what matters and means you've been successful.
- For example, your cupcake business is not a viable type of business. When you've explored all the available options, made creative changes, and really put your all into selling cupcakes, then you've done your best. Although you may think of the business as a failure, you did your best and it was a success. You have to practice using all your abilities and intelligence; it is also a success. You've tried something different; then, you too can be considered a success.
- Knowing that you did your best and focusing on it as a success instead of its potential outcome can help you to keep trying new things and working towards your life goals.
Step 6. Appreciate your circumstances
Trying your best is different for everyone, depending on the day, the circumstances, and the context. If you are sick and don't manage to complete a project as expected, remember the fact that you are sick. You at least kept up with the task at hand, and, even if you were sick, did your best. You have done everything you could. Putting forth your best effort is always a reason to appreciate yourself.
Step 7. Keep a diary of what you did the best you could
Start by noting how you go about your day-to-day activities, which produce the best results. Perhaps, your day at the office was really bad; You feel misunderstood or blamed for something. If this happens, you may be embarrassed. However, ask yourself, "Did I really try my best?" Take note of the things you did the best you could and alternative ways of doing other things differently.
Part 4 of 4: Seeking Support
Step 1. Surround yourself with positive people
These people are usually friends and family members who will support and encourage you. You may have to think about personal relationships and make decisions about the people in your life – think about whether they make you grow or make you worse. Respect yourself. Part of respecting yourself is respecting the fact that you deserve to be around healthy, supportive people. Succeeding in life is quite a goal and involves all aspects of your interactions.
Step 2. Develop relationships with people who are important to you
You should also have mutually supportive relationships. Think of ways to be a better friend, partner, or parent. Think about why you really value people who love and can support you.
It can help you to write down your thoughts about these people. Write about any help you have received from them. Also write down how you want to help and help them as best you can. This way, you can identify concrete ways to strengthen your relationship with them
Step 3. Contribute to the community
Being someone who is successful in life and alert, versatile, and humble also means you have to be involved in the community. Turn on your empathy and compassion side. Learn to show these qualities to others. This is useful not only for making a difference to someone who needs help, but for your benefit, self-awareness, and world-awareness. It will also help you feel proactive and empowered.
