Nobody succeeds beyond his or her wildest expectations unless he or she begins with some wild expectations ( Ralph Charell)

By Mutryce A. Williams

What an individual thinks or feels, as success is unique with him. In our experience we have found that each individual has a different meaning of, and attitude toward, what constitutes success. (Alfred Adler)

We strive for this THING called success. We are constantly told that we need to be successful. Most of us have the wrong concept of what success is or should be. We let others define what our idea of success should be. In our society how others view us in terms of how successful we are or ought to be is very important to us.

We hear the term success sweet success. Some of us may be surprised at what the others idea of success is because in thinking of success we often think of lavish things, grandeur or excess. Success should not be defined as any one thing. Your idea or dream of success should be what matters most to you or basically how you define it.

Success is what is important to you. It is what you want. Success may be that dream job; self-actualization or simply be mastering an art. Success may be that point when the children are grown well adjusted citizens and have left the nest. Success may simply be pure quiet and peace, a deafening tranquil state. Success may finally be overcoming that obstacle, to the chemist it may be finding the right formula, to the artist; a piece that speaks volumes, to the chef; a palatable perfected dish, to a parent; simply hearing the words thank you from a child, to the gardener; a lush beautiful garden. Success isnt any one thing and there isnt any one path, road or formula that may lead you there.  Success may be breaking barriers. It may simply be service.

 Some of us know that we have succeeded when we get that nod of approval from a parent or someone who we deem successful. We do many things. We strive and persevere for this SUCCESS. Some people die trying to achieve it. It is rather pitiful to observe or experience that after achieving what others deem to be SUCCESS, one does not truly feel successful. It is disheartening to realize that SUCCESS isnt that sweet after all all. It may taste acrid because it is not ones idea of success.

Success is a trendy word. Dont aim for success if you want it, just do what you love and will come naturally. (David Frost)

 There are many people who choose a career/field because that is where the money is. It isnt something that they are passionate about. It isnt something that they are naturally good at. Sometimes it is best to take the path less trodden. It is best to follow that dream that many may view as not successful. It is best to perfect that dream or your idea of success and at the end you would truly realize how sweet success really could be.

Success in its highest and noblest form calls for peace of mind and enjoyment and happiness, which come only to the man who has found the work he likes best.                                                                                            (Napoleon Hill)

There is this Land Rover vehicle commercial that I find hysterical but it illustrates how perception, material things and the media influence us. In this commercial a young man, while back packing in the snowy mountains, tells his friend that he has decided to major in Ceramics. An affluent looking couple drives up in a luxurious Land Rover vehicle and offer them a ride, after observing the interior, the young man looks at his friend and says, You know what I may just minor in Ceramics. This advertisement illustrates societys impression of what success is or at least should be. It basically says that to be successful or aspire for nice luxurious things, that that young whose dream would have been to major in Ceramics would definitely not be able to afford a posh ride. This isnt true but it is what the advertisement wants us to believe. It is all about perception. With sheer determination and drive and maybe I am a bit too idealistic for my own good but with sheer determine and drive, he could design exceptional Ceramic and make a fortune in the ceramic industry, then he could be able to afford that nice Land Rover, IF that is what his idea of success is. One shouldnt have to comprise or sell his or her dreams to acquire immediately those material things that so many think make us appear to be successful because in the end he/she may end up being miserable trying to afford or maintain that level success.

There is also the thought that success in certain areas is guaranteed and that to be successful in other areas is takes natural ability, is limited, a fluke, luck or once in a lifetime miracle type thing. 

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice and then going away and doing the exact opposite. (G. K. Chesterton)

Success is a risk. People may try to dissuade you, not because they think what you are doing is wrong or that they really believe that you are bound to fail but because they do not have the courage to chart the course that you are charting. When someone tries to discourage you, you must always remind him or her that there may be a big window that points to failure however there is that small window that guarantees success. Remember you will never learn to swim if you just stand at the shore and look at the sea, wishing somehow that God would grant you fins. You have to get into the water. You have to try.

You must realize that failure is one of the success forces, and to get the opportunity to fail is also to be able to increase your opportunity for success in the future.                                                                                               (Joseph Sugarman)

Success is the old ABC-ability, breaks and courage.

(Charles Luckman)

I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours, nor amount of labour, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me. And I have done that ever since, and I win by it.  I know.  (Colonel Harland Sanders)

The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.

(Mark Caine)

If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.                                                   (Joseph Addision)

BEGIN WTH SOME WILD EXPECTATIONS. NEVER LOSE SIGHT OR FOCUS. SUCCESS DEFINITELY TAKES SACRIFICE. TAKE NOTE THAT SELF-TRUST IS THE FIRST SECRET OF SUCCESS. LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS.