The Road to Success

Success. When it comes to assessing personal achievement, at what point do we reach the top of the mountain in our lives? What is the expectation once you get there? Do you do it all over again? Climb another mountain? Or just sit at the top and soak in the experience of being at the top? From completing a jigsaw puzzle to finishing a project, what is certain is that there needs to be an end for success to be attained.

A phrase which has been installed deeply into my beliefs is that "there is no success without struggle". The road to success is often described as a difficult one, bombarded with hurdles and obstacles which makes the end of the journey feel that much sweeter. Everyone has a drive and focus as to why they are on their road such as family or societal status. One mistake I believe we make in contemporary society is that we compare our own positions in life with others.

In our western society, the accumulation of money is of importance for the majority of those old enough to be taxed, which is why it may seem as though the measurement of success is related heavily on this factor. However, is it safe to really determine your position in life with others due to their income and bank balance? There are easy examples of the MTV world where our current "celebrities" are making money just by presenting their somewhat "exciting" personality traits on national television. Do you genuinely believe that is an accurate measurement of success?

Some would say yes and some would say no. Regardless of your own answer to that question, I pose an alternative thought to how success is defined and appreciated; the feeling you get within. The idea that you set out to achieve something and you went and did it, that is success. The fact that you even started on a journey, is a success. Even within your journey, you may take a set back, or two, or ten, to bounce back and keep going on your journey, is indeed an achievement.

I have 3 key rules when approaching the road to personal success:

1. Plan: Always approach your goals with a base, structure and route to completion. Without a plan, you are just taking a stroll in a maze.

2. Stay focused: Easier said than done but once you have a plan, it is important to stick to it and always be looking onward.

3. Embrace the journey: It is apart of your life, the journey itself is the proof of your success, take in the good and the bad.

Progress. Moving forward is something which comes easy if you can accept that rejection and set backs are to be expected. You must be prepared to be told no as well as being told yes. To understand that time waits for no one but also accept that our time on Earth will stop some day, so there is no rush to life.

Every step we take in life is a success that should be appreciated from time to time. May and June are months in which examinations are being taken all over the world. At different ages, whether it be for progress into the next stage of school/college or gaining a degree, what is guaranteed that each phase has an end where a sense of triumph is achieved. It is something which should not be overlooked, progress and success follows us throughout our lives.

What I encourage is to take pride in knowing that no matter how far you go on your journey, you will always be able to find success from within because only you can determine the value of your achievements in life. If you are ever feeling low or unfulfilled, take a minute to appreciate all you have done and all there is yet to do. Take some time to reflect on how far you have come. Soak in where you are today and fantasise over the unknown which lies ahead. That is the beauty of life, it is yours to mould and create whatever you want it to be, just enjoy the ride.

Embrace Life. Love Life. Live Life.