What Does Success Look Like to You?
Written by Cori Burns, Marketing Director of the WT Enterprise Center. For more information about the WT Enterprise Center visit www.IncubationWorks.com.
Being an entrepreneur means moving fast, being passionate about moving faster tha
n others, and for most entrepreneurs, success. What is success exactly? I think most entrepreneurs and even clients of mine would say that success is not easily defined and that it changes.
As an entrepreneur, I am constantly looking for improvement and more efficient ways of doing things. Do what I do better, do what I do faster, do what I do MORE. How do you live an entrepreneurial lifestyle and still have a life? I think the answer lies in passion- not passion for a product or a service, but passion for Life, People, and Growth.
I recently read an article about “10 Questions That Create Success” (By Geoffrey James | @Sales_Source | Jan 23, 2012). As I read the article, I thought (and I know some of my clients and fellow entrepreneurs also think) “who can realistically ask themselves these 10 questions daily, I don’t even have time to read the article much less consider the questions.” But something I realized in asking myself this question is that I, like most entrepreneurs, don’t take time to celebrate success or even acknowledge success. I am an optimist at heart and I will always see opportunity, but something I do struggle with is acknowledging how I personally take advantage of (and help others take advantage of) all the opportunities for success that are presented me every day.
The first key to being able to define success for your future is being able to acknowledge and recognize success in your present.
I challenge every entrepreneur that reads this to take 10 minutes every day to consider these 10 questions and to recognize the success they achieve daily. Success builds upon itself and I truly believe that if you focus on the success you have in the present, you will have life long success in your future.
1. Have I made certain that those I love feel loved?
2. Have I done something today that improved the world?
3. Have I conditioned my body to be more strong flexible and resilient?
4. Have I reviewed and honed my plans for the future?
5. Have I acted in private with the same integrity I exhibit in public?
6. Have I avoided unkind words and deeds?
7. Have I accomplished something worthwhile?
8. Have I helped someone less fortunate?
9. Have I collected some wonderful memories?
10. Have I felt grateful for the incredible gift of being alive?
