Some might argue that the definition of “success” could be one of the ultimate questions of life. In the dictionary, “success” is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”

The term “success,” however, and whether it is achieved under any given set of circumstances, is inherently amorphous and depends upon what one is attempting to accomplish. In turn, even the degree of “success,” in any situation, can be mapped on a sliding scale. Some efforts could be deemed to be fully successful, some might be only partially successful, and some might crash squarely into the side of a mountain, failing to achieve any success whatsoever.

How do you define success in your own personal life? Or, how about in your professional life? Do you find success by routinely and consistently producing a safe product? Do you define success as producing large volumes of product with significant margins and record-breaking profits? Or, is the answer somewhere in between? Most would agree that the answer is likely somewhere in the middle, but at what point on the sliding scale does profit outweigh safety, or does safety outweigh profit? To make matters more complex, the answer may vary wildly between any range of individuals.

In the food industry, food companies have been incredibly successful this year by limiting the total number of recalls to only 161. With that said, the 161 food companies that actually recalled their products might disagree that they are having a successful year. Nevertheless, while those companies did, in fact, recall some products, one might also argue that the recalls that were announced were, in fact, “successful.”

What about success in life generally? My children have asked me this question on many occasions, and those repeated inquiries have caused me to reflect at length upon how the term should really be defined. In turn, I have explained to all my children that they should consider themselves successful when they reach a point where they can wake up in the morning and can’t wait to start their day. It doesn’t matter, I explain, what they are doing, or how much money they are making, so long as they are happy.

So, as you look toward defining your own personal and professional success, be sure you are always looking in the right direction. Do those things and pursue those goals that make you happy. And, if you do, you will be more likely to navigate to a place where, when you first open your eyes in the morning, you simply can’t wait to get out of bed.

What is success?

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