Measure of Success by R. E. Smith

  Your dreams matter

Our degree of success hinges on our ability to work and push ourselves beyond the threshold of life by rising above the superficial barriers that are set for us to accomplish. This is done by using our various skills and talents to unlock our full potential. I recently wrote that "Success is a habit it captivates the mind and manifest into actions" and indeed they do because it is our actions that will be measured to indicate our success.

The actions we demonstrate while on route to success is so driven and goal-oriented that we often need to sacrifice and give up our own desires in an effort to pursue our passion. Our accomplishments are based on careful calculations and navigation in order to climb the success ladder. To achieve our goals we must become tour guides of our destiny and once the desires are achieved the need is often satiated.

Follow me into the realm of success and let us navigate the currents of achievement to understand how success is measured and how we know when we have accomplished the success that we desire. Spoiler alert, everyone's success meter is different and the degree to which anyone achieves success varies from one person to the next. Additionally if one chose to live their life outside of the norms outlined by society, then who are we to say that they are not attaining success? and how will they measure their accomplishments?

Measure in this context refers to " a plan of action taken to achieve a specific purpose". To measure your success as an individual you must follow the guidelines that you have carefully crafted for your future which outlines your goals and aspirations. One of the most common tools used by companies to assess the performance of their employees and their business is an appraisal instrument that seeks to evaluate the strengthens and weaknesses of the company including the human resources. Therefore let us examine a simple step that can be used to measure our success as individuals by examining the success habits.

The word success has multiple meaning all of which explains various facets of the terminology. For the purpose of this article let us examine S.U.C.C.E.S.S as an acronym.

S- Select the field or discipline you want to pursue in life.

U- Utilize the resources available to access opportunities within the selected field/s of choice.

C- Create a road map or blueprint of where you are and where you want to be.

C- Communicate your desires and aspirations to yourself, family, and friends as a reminder of your plan.

E- Evaluate the steps that you take periodically to ensure that you are on the correct path to achieve your goals.

S- Strategize by assessing the Pros and Cons of your plan and see which steps or barriers you will tackle next.

S- Solve is for finding the correct method to use as you take on the journey of success.

The concept above is a guide that is simple and easy to follow. Once this is done accurately then we can move to the next phase of the success journey. This phase is climbing the ladder of success. There is a common theory that is used by all to outline the degree or extent of one's success it is called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

According to Maslow individual needs are divided into five categories:

Physiological- This includes the basic necessities for human survival food, clothing, and shelter. ( The need for employment).

Safety- This includes the need for safety and security. Knowing that your job is permanent and there are opportunities for growth. (Promotions)

Love - This is the need that indicates a sense of belonging, wanting to be apart of something greater than just yourself. (An elite club, movement or social group).

Esteem - This highlights prestige and a feeling of accomplishment. Becoming a supervisor, manager, or starting your own company.

Self-actualization- This highlights self-fulfillment and the desire to achieve your full potential and to mentor others to reach their level.

Of note, our measure of success is dependent on your ability to navigate these steps to follow them carefully and to make adjustments where necessary to achieve your goals. For some, this will come very early in life and for others, it will be later. The point is we must each traverse our own path. Let us not worry about the accomplishments of others but focus on our success, set our goals, and knock them down in a timely manner. Let us remember that the greatest success one can achieve in life is the preservation of one's true identity the true self. Staying true to who you are firm, resolute, and steadfast with an uncompromising will to do what's right and to achieve success on your own merits.

It will be difficult, it will not be easy and sacrifices must be made. As the saying goes the road to success is always under construction. Construct your destiny on a firm foundation, construct your destiny on the invincible truth that with God all things are possible. Measure your success on the principles that God has carefully outlined for us to follow. The measure of a man's success means nothing because as Mark 8: 36 states "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? " So let us use wisdom and measure our success by the grace of God.

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